21 July 2011

The size and scale of Auckland Theatre Company’s Calendar Girls will see the show hosted at Founders Theatre when the production comes to Hamilton next month.

Auckland Theatre Company’s artistic director Colin McColl said this is the third year in a row that Auckland Theatre Company has been able to bring to Hamilton big popular shows immediately following their successful Auckland seasons.

“Our touring out of Auckland has only been possible with the great support we’ve have from people and organisations in Hamilton, from Council through to the local arts companies and practitioners,” he said. “Auckland Theatre Company appreciates the highly effective partnership it has with Hamilton City Theatres in particular, and the management, creative teams and casts are always delighted by the enthusiastic reception they’ve received from Hamilton theatergoers.”

Previous Auckland Theatre Company productions held in Hamilton (including Four Flat Whites in Italy in 2009 and Stepping Out in 2010) were staged at Clarence St Theatre, however Hamilton City Theatres Business Development Manager Megan Lyon said the move to Founders Theatre for Calendar Girls is a reflection on the size and scale of the production, as well as audience demand.

Staged at Founders Theatre on 27-28 August, Calendar Girls features acting heavyweights Theresa Healey, Lisa Chappell, Alison Quigan, Jennifer Ludlam, Kate- Louise Elliott, Hera Dunleavy, Catherine Downes, Greg Johnson, Adam Gardiner, Andrew Grainger and Harry McNaughton.

Based on the 2003 hit movie (which starred Helen Mirren and Julie Walters), the stage adaptation of Calendar Girls is written by Tim Firth, who also wrote the film’s screenplay, and is based on the inspiring true story of 11 Women’s Institute members who posed nude for a calendar to raise money for the Leukaemia Research Fund.

Tickets are available at Ticketek (0800 TICKETEK (842538) or www.ticketek.co.nz) with early bird prices available until 5 August. Group bookings 6+ group booking line.

ENDS

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