The Real Theatre Co. Takes West Side Story North

Monday 19 September 2011

The Real Theatre Co. Takes West Side Story North

Following the successful production of Arthur Laurent’s 1950’s classic “West Side Story” in Manukau in August, The Real Theatre Co. has decided to take the show north to the Bruce Mason Theatre in Takapuna in October.

David Coddington, founder of The Real Theatre Co., Head of School at Manukau Institute of Technology’s School of Performing Arts and Associate Director of South Seas Film & Television, will once again take on the Director’s role for the show.

David commented, “It is the experience of working on a full-scale show that gives the actors coming through MIT’s School of Performing Arts programme the professional skills they need to perform at the highest level. The cast come from a variety of backgrounds with different talents and experience and have thrown themselves into the success of the production. The passion they bring to the show is revealing of their own stories and has given new life to a Broadway classic”.

Originally from Hawkes Bay, David taught at Central Hawkes Bay College and TeAute College where he was involved in directing and acting for both school and community theatre. He was then invited to take up the position of a professional director at Auckland’s Mercury Theatre.

He left the Mercury Theatre after directing many performances including Ladies Night World Premier, I’m Not Rappaport and Judy going on to pursue a freelance career and in 1991 was one of three Founding Directors of the South Seas Film & Television School. He continued to work as a freelance director founding The Real Theatre Co. for which he has directed a number of professional theatre productions on Auckland’s North Shore including Amadeus, Godspell, Shirley Valentine, Alice in Wonderland, Perils of the Deep Blue Sea and many more.


West Side Story will be at Bruce Mason Theatre for four performances only.
Thursday 13th 8:00pm, Friday 14th 8:00pm, Saturday 15th 2:00pm and Saturday 15th 6:00pm

Choreography and costume design will be taken on by award-winning independent performance artist and choreographer Cat Ruka (Ngapuhi, Waitaha, Pakeha) Having trained at the University of Auckland, she is now the Head Dance Lecturer for the School of Performing Arts at MIT. Cat is touring her new dance piece internationally and will be touring throughout New Zealand from October.

Jason Te Mete, MIT School of Performing Arts Singing Lecturer, has enhanced the musical styling of the production, bringing with him a wealth of experience in theatre both on stage and behind the scenes. Ruka and Te Mete both promise to hit hard, incorporating modern techniques and allowing the actors to showcase their talent in a first class production.

“What happens on the streets of New York one year is here on the streets of Auckland the next. West Side Story is a message of how the lack of tolerance and understanding between different ethnicities clashing within the same environment can lead to catastrophic outcomes” says David Coddington.

Have a break from the rugby and come and enjoy the excitement of West Side Story at the Bruce Mason Theatre, Thursday 13 and Friday 14 October at 8.00pm and Saturday 15 October at 2.00pm and 6.00pm.

Tickes on sale now at Ticketmaster www.ticketmaster.co.nz or (09) 970 9700.

Adult $34.50 or Concession $24.50 + ticketing fees.

ends

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