Home Tour - November 2012

Home Tour - November 2012

A series of songs that tell an affecting story – or a story intercepted with musical interludes? Either could be a description of the Single Malt Cooperative’s Home, which gives insight into early 20th century nation building through the eyes of two Scottish immigrants to New Zealand.

Based around traditional songs from a book bought in Invercargill in the 1890s, interspersed with dialogue, Home features the superb musical and acting abilities of Rowena Simpson and Stuart Coats, ably assisted on piano by Douglas Mews. Written and directed by the award winning Jacqueline Coats, Home tells the story of Maggie and Johnnie, who meet and marry just before World War 1, and the difficulties they endure when Johnnie goes to the Front.

Audiences have responded with laughter and tears - and a strong connection to the New Zealand history in the show.

Opening in Upper Hutt on 4 November, Home tours the country with Arts On Tour NZ until 25 November. (See itinerary below)

A heart-warming production with a beautiful, elegant simplicity.
Michael Wray on theatreview.org.nz

Under the direction of Jacqueline Coats, the two performers do a sterling job, both in portraying the emotional highs and low of the characters, and singing majestically….Douglas Mews does a wonderful job on piano.
Ewen Coleman, Dominion Post

About the performers

Hamilton raised Rowena Simpson (soprano) studied at Victoria University of Wellington and performed with groups such as The Pocket Opera before leaving for The Netherlands in 1997. There she gained a Master’s Degree in singing at The Royal Conservatoire and participated in master classes with Michael Chance and Elly Ameling, among others. While based in the Netherlands she sang roles in Carissimi’s Jephte and Purcell’s Dido and Aeneas, performed with Dame Malvina Major on European tours and worked with several chamber music ensembles. Since returning to New Zealand with her young family in 2006, she has performed with many of NZ’s baroque music ensembles as well as the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus.

Stuart Coats (baritone) grew up in Christchurch and Hawke’s Bay, and studied with Emily Mair at Victoria University of Wellington. In 1993 he was a member of the NZ National Youth Choir that toured North America, and was one of the original company performers for Capital E's National Theatre for Children. He has toured NZ schools with Class Act Opera, and, with the comedy group Speedos, was a recipient of the Wellington Fringe Festival's Hot New Things Award in 1996. Most recently Stuart has toured NZ with Operatunity. He is a member of the Chapman Tripp Opera Chorus and has also been the Company Manager for NBR NZ Opera.

Douglas Mews (pianist) graduated from Auckland University in 1979 with a Master’s Degree in organ and harpsichord, having studied with the late Anthony Jennings. He continued his harpsichord studies at The Royal Conservatoire in The Hague and later expanded his interest in historical keyboards to include the fortepiano. While living in Nelson, Douglas taught at the Nelson School of Music, directed choirs (Polyhymnos and Nelson Civic Choir) and was Director of Music at St Mary's Catholic Church. He is currently the Wellington City Organist, Artist Teacher in organ and harpsichord at the New Zealand School of Music., does broadcasts for Radio NZ Concert FM and is Director of Music at St Teresa’s Church in Karori.

Itinerary

Sunday 4 November Upper Hutt
Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre 2pm
Adult $30, Friends/concessions $25
Book: Expressions 04 527 2168 www.expressions.org.nz

Thursday 8 November Hastings
Assembly Room, Hawke’s Bay Opera House 7.30pm
Adults $25, Seniors/Students $20, Groups 10+ $15, Encore Club $18 Service fees apply
Book: 0800TICKETEK or www.ticketek.co.nz

Friday 9 November Opotiki
Senior Citizens Hall, King St 7pm
$20 Book: The Travel Shop, Church St

Sunday 11 November Putaruru
The Plaza Theatre 4pm
Adults $16, Seniors/Students $12
Book: Plaza Theatre, Putaruru i-site, Tokoroa i-site, www.eventfinder.co.nz

Tuesday 13 November Omapere
Copthorne Hokianga 7.30pm $15 Door sales

Wednesday 14 November Whangarei
The Old Library 7.30pm
Adults $25, Seniors/Students $15
Book: Old Library or online old library/facebook.com

Saturday 17 November New Plymouth
Alexandra Room, TSB Showplace 6pm
Adults $25, Seniors $20, Groups 6+ $20 Service fees apply
Book: www.ticketmaster.co.nz or Box office 0800 111 999

Tuesday 20 November Reefton
Reefton Area School Hall 8pm
Adults $10, Students $5, Family $20 Door sales or phone 03 732 8542

Wednesday 21 November Okarito
Donovan’s Store 8pm
$25 Book: Debbie 03 753 4017 or Edwina 03 753 4014

Friday 23 November Arrowtown
Athenaeum Hall 7.30pm
$20 Book: Lakes District Museum

Saturday 24 November Oamaru
Inkbox Theatre, Opera House 3pm
Adults $25, Seniors $20, Group 8+ $18
Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz or 03 433 0770

Sunday 25 November Ashburton
Ashburton Trust Event Centre 7.30pm
$25 each, $22.50 each for 2 or 3, $20 each for 4 or more, Door sales all $25
Book: Ashburton Event Centre or www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Arts On Tour New Zealand
Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. www.aotnz.co.nz

ENDS

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