THAT BLOODY WOMAN
05/05/2018 - 03/06/2018
Production Details
New Zealand’s favourite daughter, suffragist, activist and cyclist Kate Sheppard is transformed from the face on the $10 note into a punk-rock idol, raising hell and rocking out. Armed with a mic and leading the charge to win women the vote, Kate takes on the patriarchy, public opinion and even Prime Minister Richard ‘King Dick’ Seddon.
Centrepoint Theatre is proud to present a brand new version of smash hit rock musical, That Bloody Woman. Starring McLeod’s Daughters’ Lisa Chappell and supported by musicians and performers from the Manawatū community, witness New Zealand’s founding mother like you’ve never seen her before; loud, proud and in your face.
“A BADASS FEMINIST ROCK SHOW NOT TO MISS” – stuff.co.nz
Centrepoint Theatre, 280 Church Street, Palmerston North
5 May – 3 June 2018
Tuesday & Wednesday, 6.30pm
Thursday – Saturday, 7.30pm
Sunday, 4pm
Post-Show Q+A: Wednesday 9 May
TICKETS
Adult • Full $45; Early Bird $40
Senior • Full $37; Early Bird $35
Concession* • $25
Pick’n’Mix • $35
BUY TICKETS
*Students and Community Services Card holders. Valid I.D. is required.
STARRING
Lisa Chappell
Jeff Kingsford-Brown
with Janine Bonny, Gary Clark, Kirsten Clark, Frankie Curd, Indiya Henman, Ellen Hodder, Steve Jenkins, Katte Johnston, Rebekah Matsas, Helena Pawson, Trudy Pearson, Leona Revell, Laura Signal and Michelle Thompson
Theatre , Musical ,
Comic punk opera panto
Review by Alexandra Bellad-Ellis 06th May 2018
When Bay Audiology are walking the line for tickets handing out ear plugs you know you are in for a good show.
And Luke Di Somma and Gregory Cooper’s That Bloody Woman, directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford with choreography by Leigh Evans, is not just a good show, it’s a great show. A retelling of the life of Kate Sheppard and her fight to win women the right to vote in New Zealand. Told through the medium of a rock opera, the show is part comedy, part punk opera and part pantomime.
Musical director Kane Parsons leads the live band, a couple performing roles in the show as well. Gary Clark (William) and Steve Jenkins (Walter) do a great job of swapping between musician and actor.
Lisa Chappell does a superb job as Kate Sheppard, tackling this full-on role. The primary storyteller of her own story, she interacts with the audience and moves the story along. Jeff Kingsford-Brown’s Richard Seddon is larger than life. He is a great foil to Lisa Chappell, as he struts about the stage as the embodiment of the male mind-set of the time. Leona Revell also performs well as Kate Sheppard’s best friend.
And a special mention must go to the remaining ensemble – Janine Bonny, Kirsten Clark, Frankie Curd, Indiya Henman, Ellen Hodder, Katte Johnston, Rebekah Matsas, Helena Pawson, Trudy Pearson, Laura Signal and Michelle Thompson – who all put in strong performances.
The costuming by Hayley Douglas is superb, in particular Kate Sheppard’s and Richard Seddon’s managing to capture the silhouette of the times but with a punk rock twist. The set (designed by Wai Mihinui) is also simple, but effective, with two steel scaffolds flanking the central arched stage. Posters and pamphlets stuck to the inner area of the arch reflect the feel of the show without taking away from the action.
The music, while loud, is not too loud (despite the promise of the ear plugs). There are a few technical hitches with the wireless microphones, but the actors power through. The lighting, designed by Talya Pilcher, while simplistic, lends itself well to what’s going on the stage.
All in all That Bloody Woman is a play not to be missed.
(The show runs for about an hour and a half with no interval. It does contain ‘language’, flashing lights and a heavy foot on the smoke machine. That Bloody Woman is on at Centrepoint and runs from the 5th of May till the 3rd of June. See the Centrepoint website for ticket pricing and booking details.)
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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