Waikato Hospital staff embrace comedy for a cause

Waikato Hospital staff embrace comedy for a cause

Waikato Hospital staff will trade the bright lights of operating theatres for the bright lights of the stage tomorrow night when Waikato Hospital’s 2013 comedy revue opens at Hamilton's Clarence Street Theatre.

And the serious amount of fun is for the sake of two seriously good causes.

Waikato@Heart (Heart Kids) and Arts for Health will be the grateful recipients of this year’s ticket-sale proceeds. Over the years proceeds from the revue have totalled $147,000, and all has been donated to charity.

“This year’s revue, titled ‘Magnus Mutatio - Big Change’, reflects the huge transformations the hospital has been through over the last few years,” producer/stage manager Delwyne Martin said.

“The show is made up of staff groups having a laugh at themselves and health in general. Staff from across disciplines have summoned their creative genius; preparing songs, dances, skits and general shenanigans.”

According to Delwyne talent is not necessary to be a part of the revue - participation is all that is needed.

“There will be a total of 18-20 acts; some have been practicing for months, some for much less, but all have a commitment to fun, entertainment, and most of all charity,” she said.

“The Prozac Ducks have their tutus made and Dr McSquirter has a new sporran. The Physiotherapist are back and the Breast Care team are getting their girls out!”

The revue will run for three consecutive nights this week. Opening night is Thursday (29 August) and closing night on Saturday (31 August).

Buy tickets from Ticketek online or the Ticketek outlets:

• Founders Theatre, 221 Tristram Street, Hamilton

• i-SITE, Garden Place, Hamilton

• New World Supermarket, Te Rapa

• Super Liquor, Chartwell

• Take Note Bookstore, Dinsdale

• Academy of Performing Arts

Telephone 0800 TICKETEK (842 538) Ticketek's call centre hours are Monday to Friday 8.30am to 8pm, Saturday, Sunday and Public holidays 9am to 5pm

What is a hospital revue?

The hospital revue is a current and longstanding tradition in UK medical schools and was customary in many NZ public hospitals until a significant restructuring of the public health system in the 1980s contributed to the demise of the custom.

Waikato DHB reinstated the biennial ritual in 1997 with all money raised donated to a chosen charity.

A revue is a light form of theatrical entertainment consisting of loosely connected acts (songs, dances, satirical skits, and monologues) that portray and sometimes satirise contemporary persons and events.

The last two Waikato DHB hospital revues, Lapsus Linguae (A Slip of the Tongue) in 2007, raised $28,000 for True Colours, a non-profit organisation supporting children and young people who live with a chronic, serious or life-threatening illness and In Flagrante Delicto (Caught in the Act) raised $25,000 for Waikato Family Centre and Lifeline.

ENDS

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