Play set to run under red light
An Auckland theatre is raising the curtain on a new play despite the red traffic light setting.
Grand Horizons is going ahead with its opening night on February 8 and is adjusting performances to cater for audiences capped at 100 people, in accordance with the rules.
The smaller audience size is a blow for all those involved with the production, but they’re also grateful the show can still go ahead.
Director Jennifer WardLealand says she is looking forward to being able to put on a performance that will be a good distraction for people in difficult times. Everyone in the show is wellversed in adapting to Covid-19, she says.
The Auckland Theatre Company production has been operating with strict Covid-19 protocols, including until recently the use of rapid antigen tests.
As for whether she is worried about the Omicron outbreak, Ward-Lealand says: “I’m not buying into any doomsday scenarios at this point, because I’m more focused on getting a really good show up”.
Grand Horizons, a play written by Bess Wohl, stars Annie Whittle and Roy Billing and is a comedy about a 50-year marriage that is suddenly on the rocks. WardLealand says it will connect with
audiences who will almost certainly recognise similar family dynamics.
And in Covid times, theatre is more important than ever.
“Theatre is there to reflect our humanity back at us, to hold the mirror up to nature, as Shakespeare says.
“You can just sit in a room and have your imagination and your thoughts widened. Which is a good thing for us. I mean, what did everyone turn to in lockdown? The arts,” WardLealand says.
She wants to make it clear audiences will be really safe in the theatre.
“I understand some people won’t want to go out. But if they do want to come out and take their mind off everything, go out and see something really terrific, this is the perfect chance.” Auckland Theatre Company chief executive and artistic director Jonathan Bileski says the industry has adapted well to the challenges Covid has presented and wants to reassure ticketholders they are doing everything they can to keep patrons safe. Refunds will be issued if people can no longer attend due to Covid-19.
“We will be operating our venue using the vaccine pass system, people will come in and groups of people will be separated when they sit in the auditorium.”
In line with rules for gatherings, ticket-holders will be required to wear a mask inside the theatre. “Right now, we need an escape from the everyday life of year three of a pandemic. And we just so happen to have a comedy on our stage with Grand Horizons.
“I think that’s what theatre, and music, and dance can do is bring you out of yourself, out of the ordinary and into the extraordinary.”