Youth shine in new stage production
West Coast Youth Theatre is about to make a bold statement.
The company, directed by Taranaki-born actress Holly Shanahan, is about to put on the iconic solo play The End of the Golden Weather by New Zealand writer Bruce Mason with 13 actors.
‘‘It deals with the end of innocence when you’re a child. It really is about that cusp when you realise that adults aren’t perfect and that the world isn’t perfect,’’ Shanahan said.
She describes turning the solo show into a full production as a feat, and more of a challenge than the theatre’s first production Wheeler’s Luck in 2014.
‘‘It’s got a lot of those wacky characters but it’s much more meaty theatre and we’re looking at really contemporary techniques.
‘‘It’s taken me a while to get the students up to speed and feel confident. This is pretty risky, but it’s going to be incredible and it’s going to knock people’s socks off.’’
Students, all aged between 16 and 19, have input on what characters are used and how, and technical elements like sets, props, sound and lighting. ‘‘It’s a whole creation, not just an actor reading from a script.’’
Shanahan spent about 10 years involved in professional theatre and her on-screen work includes an award-winning role in Second Hand Wedding.
When she moved back to New Plymouth in 2013 she wanted to create performance opportunities
‘‘This is pretty risky, but it's going to be incredible and it's going to knock people's socks off.’’ Holly Shanahan
for youth. ’’I think we’re taught that when you’re an actor it’s about being the star. You’re a star when you’re giving your energy to everybody who is on stage with you.’’
The cast are Angus Blanchard, Sonny Deacle, Cian Etches, Jane Gray, Eva Greensill, Isabella Hadlow, Karlia Haskell, Alex Howard, Kayla Keegan, Jacques McCallum-Lind, Shyon Noble, Savanah Tohu, and Sophie Willis.
Shanahan also takes two lab groups for 11 to 16-year-olds. ‘‘The company is doing the full show,’’ she explains. ‘‘What I did with the lab groups is we’re devising and putting on an opening production to the company show.’’
Tickets, from the theatre, cost $25 adult or $20 senior citizen, student, and theatre friend. For more information visit the West Coast Youth Theatre Facebook page. The End of the Golden Weather runs from October 5 to 8.