A flying witch, puppets and a real dragon take to the stage next week as three much-loved children’s stories by celebrated New Zealand author Margaret Mahy come to life in Mahy Magic. Tim Bray Productions presents Mahy Magic at The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna from 20-25 September with a Gala Opening Performance on Sunday 19 September at 5.30pm.

Mahy Magic features three favourite Margaret Mahy stories for children – The Witch in the Cherry Tree, A Lion in the Meadow, and Leaf Magic.

“Margaret’s stories are delightful and I am very excited to be able to bring these wonderful stories to life,” says Tim, who produced the original 1992 production.

Directed by Lynne Cardy, Mahy Magic stars young Auckland actors Trygve Wakenshaw, Jackie Van Beek, Yvette Parsons and musician Rochelle Bright, and takes audiences on a journey to meet a greedy witch, a lion in a meadow and a playful leaf.

“We’ve brought together three of Auckland’s most exciting and comedic physical performers and a dynamic live musician – between them they play multiple characters, sing and dance, and create theatrical illusions that bring to life the humour and magic of Margaret Mahy’s stories.”

Lynne is co-director of Auckland’s innovative Pandemonium Theatre Company and has devised and acted in numerous children’s shows in New Zealand and England. She is a long-time fan of Margaret Mahy stories.

“Leaf Magic has been a new discovery for my daughter and I and we both adore it.”

As part of the season of Mahy Magic, two special performances on Thursday 23 September at 2pm and Friday 24 September at 11am will include New Zealand Sign Language interpreters, so that deaf and hearing-impaired children and their families can also enjoy the magic of live theatre. The interpreters are from Kelston Deaf Education Centre and have been kindly sponsored by the Takapuna North Rotary Club.

Mahy Magic is the second of a series of professional children’s theatre productions presented by Tim Bray Productions in 2004. It follows the successful season of The Owl and the Pussy-Cat. The third, and final, show in the series will be The Santa Claus Show which will open at The PumpHouse on December 17.

Mahy Magic is at The PumpHouse Theatre, Killarney Park, Takapuna, Auckland from 19-25 September. To book, phone (09) 489-8360 or online at http://www.pumphouse.co.nz. Family concessions available.

“Cheerful masks and clever direction made a fine job of bringing to life three favourite Margaret Mahy stories …. The three-year-kd was enthralled and even his cynical nine-year-old cousin and her almost-teenage sister, computer kids they may be, were fairly impressed.” NZ Herald

Tim Bray Productions is administered by The Operating Theatre Trust, a registered charitable trust.