CPIT’s Cloudstreet triumphs over adversity

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30 June 2011 - For immediate release

CPIT’s Cloudstreet triumphs over adversity

Ordinary people triumphing over adversity? That’s something Cantabrians can relate to says Stephanie McKellar-Smith, co-director of the latest production from CPIT’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art (NASDA).

Third-year students from the Bachelor of Performing Arts (Music Theatre) have faced their own challenges while rehearsing Cloudstreet, an epic stage adaptation of Australian writer Tim Winton’s hugely successful novel of the same name. Despite evacuations, aftershocks and a few sleepless nights, Cloudstreet is on track to open on 8 July, until 15 July, in the NASDA theatre at the Madras Street campus.

Cloudstreet is a demanding production, with a focus on physical, ensemble work. Ross McKellar, who co-directed Cloudstreet with Stephanie, is more than pleased with the students’ efforts. “The audience will see a high standard of craft. They are achieveing some fantastic results,” he said.

Fiona Crossett plays the boy Fish, a central character damaged by his experience of a near drowning. “It has been a hard road, getting through the first part of rehearsals,” she said. “I had done all this research on having a disability, but then getting on the stage and putting it into my body was quite different. When your mental processing slows down how does that affect your body? Once I got that element it was so much easier; I could play with it and just let go, just do whatever I felt.”

Playing Fish has been an invaluable experience Fiona said. “The odd day is stressful but generally I think yes, this is what I want to do and I learn so much being here, so much that we can take onto a professional stage. With directors who work in the industry they bring so much knowledge from the professional world.”

Cloudstreet spans 20 years, following the fluctuating fortunes of two families, the Pickles and the Lambs, who inhabit a rambling old house in Perth. “It’s ordinary but quirky human beings triumphing over adversity – that’s sure to resonate powerfully with all Cantabrians living through these extraordinary times,” Stephanie said.

In such stressful times theatre might be just what we need, she said. “Theatre’s ability to pull us out of the doldrums makes theatre not a luxury but essential I think. It can provide a type of healing, an outlet, escape or release.

“There’s something about people sharing a common live experience that has a power of its own.”

Cloudstreet is at the NASDA Theatre, CPIT Madras Street campus, 8 - 15 July at 7pm (Sunday show at 4pm). Tickets are $18/$12 concession from www.ignition.ac.nz or 940 8695. Door sales available.

ENDS