Confidence Tricksters

PRESS RELEASE – DATED 5 FEBRUARY 2008

www.ellerslietheatre.co.nz

Venue - Stables Theatre, Cnr Main Highway & Arthur St

Ellerslie

Ellerslie Theatrical Society presents its next production:

Confidence Tricksters

Sister Connie . The Worm Turns . All that Glisters

written by Lucy White

and co-directed with Susanne Dell

28 FEBRUARY — 8 MARCH 2008

SYNOPSIS

A comedy trilogy on the theme of con artists. This is a New Zealand Premiere. A con-artist, posing as a nun, tries her luck on Joanna and Michael and gets more than she bargained for. Meanwhile, wealthy Pippa controls the life and finances of her sister Roz until a smooth-talker persuades Roz to rob the bank and fly away with him. Fate then brings the band of tricksters together on the French Riviera in a crazy cross and double-cross finale.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

As a writer/director, comedy is Lucy White's first love. She started writing for the theatre after she joined The Cornwall Players over 10 years ago. She produced and directed her first full-length play "Perfect Match" in '96 in Greenlane and subsequently this play became part of The Comedy Fest at The Herald Theatre in '99. Her second comedy "Bernard's Daughters" was produced successfully at The Stables Theatre Ellerslie in '05 and directed by Susanne Dell. Her other credits include scripting a digital DVD "Gupta Versus Gordon" -a Kiwi/Indian family comedy produced by Orthovision Films, Napier.

ABOUT THE DIRECTORS

Lucy White

Lucy White started directing cabaret-style shows and comedies, including Alan Ayckbourn's work, for The Cornwall Players over 10 years ago. This is the second time she has directed her own work. She wrote and directed "Perfect Match" for The Cornwall Players in '96 and subsequently produced this work at The Herald Theatre in '99. She is enjoying sharing the direction of "Confidence Tricksters" with Susanne Dell, who directed Lucy's 2nd comedy "Bernard's Daughters" at Ellerslie in '05.

Susanne Dell

A tap and jazz teacher Susanne, over recent years, has concentrated her energies on directing, choreography, production and stage management, lighting and various other backstage work – as well as performing on stage. In 2002 she directed “Nobody’s Perfect” for the Papakura Theatre Company which won a NAPTA for Best Play of 2002 as well as the Props Award. In 2003 on stage performances included “Performance Anxiety” and “Secret Bridesmaid’s Business. She also choreographed “The Sound of Music” and “Music Hall” the same year. 2004 also saw her choreographing “The Wizard of Oz” and directing “When We Are Married” which also won the 2004 NAPTA for Best Play. In 2006 Susanne directed the premiere of “Rent”, which was performed at the Harlequin as well as choreographing “Stepping Out” at the same theatre. Susanne’s introduction to “Ellerslie Theatrical Society” was in 2004 when she performed in “The Odd Couple” in February and continued through to 2005 when Susanne directed the premiere of “Bernard’s Daughters”, written by Lucy White and performed at the Stables. The friendship and association with Lucy continued with Lucy doing the set design for and Susanne directing the musical Red Hot and Cole at the Harlequin Musical Theatre in July 2007.

PERFORMANCE DATES (all at 8pm except matinees on Sunday 2 and Saturday 8 November)

Thu Feb 28 - opening gala (with bubbles & nibbles) Fri Feb 29 Sat Mar 1
Sun (Matinee) Mar 2 @ 2pm Mon Mar 3 – no performance Tue Mar 4
Wed Mar 5 Thu Mar 6 Fri Mar 7
Sat (Matinee) Mar 8 @ 2pm Sat Mar 8 – final performance

BOOKINGS

Telephone 09 525 3336

TICKETS

Evening $20, $18 (discounted)

Matinee $15, $12 (discounted)

ENDS

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