Punk rock musical to retell story of Kate Sheppard

An irreverent and inspirational rock musical about trailblazing suffragist Kate Sheppard is being staged in Hamilton with an allWaikato cast and crew.

That Bloody Woman is framed as a rock concert for Sheppard and her ‘‘gang’’ to tell the story of the movement she led to make New Zealand the first country to grant women the vote in 1893.

The story follows her and her friends as they transition from temperance to suffrage, taking on the anti-suffrage prime minister of the day, Richard ‘‘King Dick’’ Seddon, and ultimately persuading a quarter of the country’s female population to sign a crucial petition.

But behind the public persona her personal life was in turmoil – trapped in a loveless marriage, in love with her best friend’s husband, and deprived of her only child when she needed him most.

‘‘This is about strong women sharing stories, supporting one another, having ambition, and speaking out,’’ said co-director Courtene´ y Mayall, who is part of the Bold Theatre company’s strong female-led production team, which also includes producer Charlotte Chuen and choreographer Lauren

Mann.

‘‘It’s about understanding that equity is vital, and women have the right and power to control their own destiny. It’s about inspiring continued change through punk fashion, memorable songs, and an unmistakable energy that flies beyond any preconceived limits or expectations.’’

The show has been described as a ‘‘punk musical’’ – which was an apt description according to musical director Nick Braae.

‘‘As a cultural movement, punk was about rebellion, ‘sticking it to the man’, and a don’t-wait-aroundjust-do-it-your-bloody-self attitude . . . which fits the bill rather nicely for Kate Sheppard’s story.

‘‘Within the show, there are punk songs, but these sit alongside glam and pop anthems, gospel numbers, a few poignant ballads, as well as parodies of other pop and rock artists. It is a patchwork of musical styles, but they are united by punchy and brash riffs, energetic and aggressive vocal hooks, and a real sense of voices coming together as one behind a common cause.

‘‘The big sound of the singers will be complemented by a rocking fivepiece band.’’

Chuen says the show was a perfect fit for the company’s desire to produce edgy, modern works.

‘‘We especially love that it’s an original New Zealand piece. We saw the original production when it toured a few years ago and have been waiting to give Hamilton and Waikato audiences an opportunity to see it again.

‘‘It tells Kate Sheppard’s story but the theme of the need to fight for any injustice resonates for lots of reasons in today’s political and social climate as well.

‘‘As the show says, ‘There’s lots more to be done, cos everything that separates of race, class, creed or sex must be overcome’.

‘‘The scriptwriters also give us a lot of freedom over the casting from the original six to our cast of 16 which means a lot of local talent is set to light up the stage,’’ says Chuen.

Written by Luke Di Somma and Gregory Cooper, the show was written and first staged in 2015 at the Christchurch Arts Festival with three sold-out performances that were met with standing ovations.

That Bloody Woman will be staged from August 26 to September 3 at the Meteor Theatre. Tickets are available via themeteor.co.nz.

Co-director Courtene´y Mayall works with Kate Sheppard (Jane Leonard) and her gang during rehearsals for ‘‘punk rock musical’’ That Bloody Woman, which will be staged at the Meteor Theatre in Hamilton from August 26.

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