Saturday 19th June 2010

 

With another successful season of his play Four Flat Whites in Italy looking inevitable, most people around Palmerston North would probably have heard the name. Those of you interested in theatre, or more particularly playwriting, certainly would have heard of him.

 

Roger Hall is New Zealand’s most successful playwright; commonly labelled as the saviour of theatre around the country. He certainly knows how to attract an audience – in most cases a sell-out audience. His writing is known for its comedy, political and social purpose, underlining pathos and his way of creating true New Zealand characters that everyone can relate to. His formula is a winner and we are delighted to announce that he is willing to share some of his winning techniques with you.

 

On Saturday 19 June Roger Hall will be providing you the opportunity to learn from him in his one-day course “Writing a Stage Play with Roger Hall” to be held at Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North. The day will be spent looking at some of the craft that helps with writing a play. Topics will include dialogue, character, plots and sub-plots, exposition and holding the audience and will answer questions such as why write a play, instead of, say, a novel? What is the best number of characters to have? What sort of play should I write?

 

Hall’s experience is vast, with more than 40 plays to his credit. He has also written for screen, radio, television and for children. He has been honoured with a QSO, CNZM and an Honorary Doctorate from Victoria University.

 

In recent years, Hall has written the box office hits Spreading Out (2004), Taking Off (2004) and Who Wants to be 100? (2007) as well as the hugely popular television sit-com Gliding On in the 80’s.

 

The workshop will be held on Saturday 19^th June from 10am to 4pm at Centrepoint Theatre. The course will cost $80 per person. The final date for registration is Friday 4 June. To register or for more information please contact Centrepoint on 06 3545740, email centrepoint@centrepoint.co.nz or visit the box office on 280 Church St, Palmerston North.

 

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Below is some feedback from participants on workshops Roger has held in other parts of the country:

 

“This is a terrific one-day course for beginners who will write copiously and soak up

the gems of wisdom from a master as well as those who have had some experience writing for theatre who need a refresher."

Cheers, Yvonne

 

 “I really enjoyed Saturday’s course, it was great to actually hear Roger say some of the things I had been wondering about and it all inspired me to have a go! “

 

“It was great to learn more of the process and the structure for my role as a drama teacher / actor. Now when devising drama with my students I will be more aware of what makes a good script so for that I am very grateful to you and to Roger for the wonderful day!”

“I found the workshop to be very useful as an actor, director and, of course, the ever hopeful, writer of plays. He was very inspirational and practical, us lot from Te Puke Repertory were quite literally buzzing about it all.”

 

“I found the day inspiring and it gave me the confidence to start writing down my ideas. I now feel I can start developing them without worrying and censoring them in the early stages. I used to do this and as a result would give up before I had really started.”