Franklin female cast star in Social Climbers
Pukekohe Performing Arts will be acting out award-winning playwright, Roger Hall’s
in the Harrington Theatre on Friday.
Hall is the first playwright to win the Prime Minister’s Literary Award and director Bob Lack, of Pukekohe, is excited to bring the script to life in Franklin.
‘‘He is probably the best known contemporary playwright . . . and it’s a good script,’’ Lack said.
‘‘Plus a lot of the plays I do are in the English tradition, it’s nice to be doing a New Zealand one for a change.’’
takes place during a tramping trip when heavy rain causes the six female characters to be trapped in their tramping hut for three days. What they get up to, to help pass time turns out to be a humorous turn of events, true to the classic comedic writings of Hall.
‘‘There’s laughter and tears and fun and a little bit of tension. And I suppose it’s just a slice of life, but it’s pretty funny on the whole,’’ Lack said.
Rehearsals for the show have been in the works since late February and Lack said like any show, it has come with its challenges, but he is looking forward to opening night.
‘‘There’s always challenges with shows. This is quite a challenging show for props actually,’’ he said.
‘‘The props team have learnt a little bit about scheduling, to try and make sure everything is in the right place in the right time.
‘‘The enjoyment comes on opening night. It’s at the stage at the moment - and this happens with every play - where my stomach is saying, there’s too much still to do. And my head is saying, you’ve been here before, you know it will all work out perfectly well.’’
opens May 4 at 8pm and will continue for eight shows. Tickets can be purchased from iTicket, visit the Pukekohe Performing Arts Facebook page for more information.
Lack has been directing for 20 years with his first show being the New Zealand premier of One Fine Day for the Waiuku Theatre Group in 1998.