Imagine Youth Theatre prepares for comedy drama

May 18th, 2011

Motueka's Imagine Youth Theatre is set to present its second stage show for the year, with the British comedy-drama Teechers running from next Thursday, May 26th, through to the following Sunday.

Director Amy Wilson chose this play, which was written by renowned English playwright John Godber, and was first performed by the Hull Truck Theatre Company at the 1987 Edinburgh Festival.

Imagine Theatre spokesman Murray Owen said that typical of Godber's work, everything in the play is reduced to the bare essentials and the small group of five young actors play a multitude of roles, without any costume changes.

Murray explained that in the play-within-a-play genre, Teechers sees the principal characters - school leavers Gail, Hobby and Salty - delivering to their audience an account of their time in high school, specifically their time with the new drama teacher Mr Harrison (called Mr Nixon in the student's play).

"He ignites their passion for the stage with his idealism and belief that all students should be treated equally. The play evokes life at the modern comprehensive school and life in general."

Amy Wilson, who will also be on stage in a minor capacity, told The Guardian that initially some of the content took her cast by surprise. "It's not a little kids play." However, she has been pleased that her charges "got their acting going" and have done an excellent job of moving in and out of the different characterisations.

Playing the bossy, enthusiastic Gail is Alice Perks-Hoult, who triumphed in her portrayal of Juliet Hulme in the 2010 Imagine Youth Theatre production Daughters of Heaven, and was also a success in other Imagine productions, The Cagebirds and Kiwiana Convoy, Murray said.

Alice told The Guardian it had been a challenge doing different characters and distinguishing each one but she was really enjoying the opportunity. She is joined by Tegan Lamont, whose principal role is that of Hobby, Jacob Linn (as Salty) and Wes Trent who has a string of characters including the bully Oggy Moxon and the Deputy Head Mr Basford.

Tegan appeared as Mum in Kiwiana Convoy in 2008, Jacob featured in Daughters of Heaven and Wes is fresh from appearances in the Nelson Youth Theatre production Chicago.

Show dates: Thursday, May 26th, Friday, May 27th and Saturday, May 28th at 7pm, and Sunday, May 29th, 2pm matinee. Venue: Imagine Theatre, Woodlands Ave beside Thorp Bush. Tickets: $7, cash only, available at Amcal and Unichem pharmacies.

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