Gripping drama
The gritty theme of mental illness is not a traditional storyline youth theatre tackles.
But a group of young Nelson actors are putting on a musical theatre show exploring those powerful subjects.
Off Broadway Performing Arts School’s production of the multiaward winning Next to Normal’ opens at the Suter Theatre next Friday.
The story is about a mother who struggles with a bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness have on her family.
The musical also addresses such issues as loss, suicide, drug abuse and the underbelly of suburban life.
It has won three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama.
Director and teacher Tami Mansfield admits she was surprised when her students came to her and said the show spoke to them and they wanted to put it on.
She listened to a recording of the show and while she thought it was amazing she was concerned ‘‘it spoke to them’’. ‘‘It’s big stuff. It’s not little stuff. ‘‘They wish to stand up against the stigma of depression and say no one is alone and sweeping big feelings under the carpet is dangerous to families.
‘‘I’m proud of them for saying this community of Nelson needs to see this.’’
Tami says following every performance there will be a discussion and a professional from Nelson Marlborough District Health Board will facilitate it ‘‘to let people know what help there’s out there’’.
The show’s cast is Nick Erasmuson, Natalie Jane Davies, Myer van Gosliga, Georgia Chapple, Zarek Wentzell, Taylor Pumphrey, Emma and Sam McIlroy, Brook Bennett, Bryn Rowland, Jamie and Peter Thomson, and Claire Graham.
Natalie is the female lead and Nick its leading man.
Many of the cast wrote to The Leader saying they believe the show is important as it is real, they relate to it and importantly it lets people struggling with mental illness know they are not alone. They want people to know mental health isn’t a teenage or adult thing – it is ‘‘a human thing’’.
‘‘The show will be performed by Nelson’s youth, aiming at Nelson people to show that there is help in Nelson for you,’’ Myer says. ‘‘We have done all of this to express our views on mental health in New Zealand and give hope to the hopeless.’’
Natalie says the play is important, and with one and four New Zealanders suffering from mental health issues – it is an issue that affects everyone.
She says it is more than just a piece of theatre. ‘‘It’s reality. It’s truth for a lot of families.’’
She says the play has a beauti- ful score and a haunting script, and the fact that children are wanting to bring the play forward is powerful.
‘‘We brought this show to Tami because we wanted to deliver the message that it is okay to talk about things that are hurting you, and that you don’t have to ‘‘drink a glass of concrete and harden up’’. We are saying that sweeping feelings under the rug doesn’t have the desired effect and can hurt others as much as it can hurt you.’’
The show is PG 13 because of its subject matter and language.
Suter Theatre, July 4–6, 7pm with 2pm show on Saturday. Tickets $20 from Everyman Records 03 548 3083.