DIY Theatre in Hamilton

Media Release
Monday 15 November 2004

DIY Theatre in Hamilton

The great Kiwi tradition of DIY is alive in Hamilton’s newest theatre group, Curiously Cut Productions.

When the members of Curiously Cut couldn’t find a suitable script for their first performance, they instead decided to commission founding member and local writer, Brydie Coombes, to write a script for them.

The resulting play, Cycle Fish, opens at the WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts on Saturday 20 November.

The choice to write an original work set in Hamilton seemed only natural for the group of four born and bred Hamiltonians. Brydie Coombes, Nicola Turner, Charlotte Isaac and Maree Talmage formed Curiously Cut to fill what they saw as a gap in the Hamilton theatre scene.

“The arts community in Hamilton is rapidly growing and audiences want the opportunity to see new work,” says Brydie.

“Our aim at the beginning was to have a bit of fun and challenge ourselves to put together a professional production that people would enjoy. But along the way it has also become about introducing fresh faces and new work to Hamilton audiences.”

While Charlotte, Brydie and Nicola have appeared in Hamilton theatre before, the remaining four cast members of Cycle Fish include three male actors who have never before performed on stage.

The play is a contemporary comedy that centres around Sam and his high school sweetheart, Kat, who agreed to marry if they were both single at 30. Their reunion years later takes an unexpected turn when Sam won’t take no for an answer.

“The play looks at different perspectives of love, not just between men and women but between friends,” says Brydie.

She says audiences should expect the unexpected when it comes to how the play ends.

“It’s a bit different to the ‘happily ever after’ some might expect from a love story.”

Cycle Fish will be performed on Saturday 20 November and Wednesday 24 - Saturday 27 November 2004. Tickets are available from the Academy of Performing Arts on 0800 383 5200 or online via www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Cycle Fish is produced with funding and support from the Hamilton Community Arts Council, New Zealand Community Trust and Perry Foundation.

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