Little Theatre to host two one-act plays
Acomedy play set in late 19th century Northland has strong connections to Te Awamutu. Keep to Thy First Wife was written by local woman Jane Wilson after she and her husband Bob visited the Albertlanders Museum in Wellsford.
Bob Wilson is a direct descendant of one of the Albertlanders. They were a group of 3000 people who hoped to settle near Port Albert in the 1860s. At least, that was the plan.
Of the 3000, only 1500 made it north from Auckland and fewer than 300 attempted to stay for any length of time.
“Bob didn’t find out about this part of his family history until he was in his 50s,” said Jane. “Soon after we knew, we drove to Port Albert where we visited the Albertlanders Museum and then found the graves of John and Sarah Wilson, Bob’s great-grandparents.”
The Albertlanders had a very difficult time once they arrived in New Zealand. As well as the treacherous
journey north and the isolation once they arrived, they had to break into the land and try to make a living. Most gave up and went back to Auckland.
The second of two one-act plays being performed together at The Little Theatre is called So, Who Murdered Julius Caesar?
It takes us back even further in time to Ancient Rome. There are a lot of shenanigans going on and the audience will have
the honour of deciding who the murderer is on the night.
Rehearsals of Keep to Thy First Wife and So, Who Murdered Julius Caesar? are in full swing and due to be performed at The Little Theatre beginning in late May.
The plays run from May 26 to June 5. Tickets will be available from iTicket and iSite from May 1. The cost is $25. There will be cash only door sales as well.