GREEDY CAT 2020
The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna, Auckland
19/09/2020 - 10/10/2020
13/10/2020 - 16/10/2020
Production Details
THE CAT IS OUT OF THE BAG – GREEDY CAT RETURNS!
After COVID-19 interrupted plans for Aotearoa’s favourite cat to prowl around on stage earlier in the year, Tim Bray Theatre Company (TBTC) is delighted to finally let him out of the bag as Greedy Cat returns! Celebrating their 100th show season by taking it to both sides of the bridge, Greedy Cat will play at Takapuna’s The PumpHouse Theatre from September 19 – October 10, and Māngere Arts Centre from October 13 – 16.
“Greedy Cat sat by the big fridge door. Meow! Meow! Meow! He wanted more.”
Coming to life on stage, Bray based his script on ten of the beloved early-reader books with two original songs – one by Christine White, and one by Phil Hornblow – creating a delightful, funny, and furry show that first captivated audiences in 2010. The adventures of Greedy Cat and a host of quirky characters are familiar to young readers right across the country, with thousands of Kiwi kids introduced to them in primary schools every year. Last performed in 2015, this iteration will feature the same new cast of TBTC fan favourites booked to perform before COVID-19 shut down rehearsals – the delightful Max Easey as Greedy Cat, Kat Glass as Mum and Aunt Ann, and Calum Hughes as Dad and a handful of other characters, and Emma Jenkins-Purro as Katie.
“Tim Bray and team bring to life author Joy Cowley and illustrator Robyn Belton’s Greedy Cat with a production that celebrates feline curiosities and fun; creating a hugely enjoyable (and far more affordable) kids alternative to Lloyd-Webber’s global hit, Cats.” – Theatreview, 2010 premiere season
Made possible by an incredible response from their audience who donated $100,000 to support the company through uncertain times, Tim Bray Theatre Company is thrilled to be bringing an amazing offering of theatre to Kiwi kids and their loved ones this year.
Suitable for children aged 3-10, TBTC have been able to donate 1,200 tickets through their ‘Gift a Seat™’ initiative, transferring groups to The PumpHouse Theatre and Māngere Arts Centre by bus for those who would otherwise be unable to see the show in its full glory.
There is also a renewed emphasis on accessibility, with NZ Sign Language interpreted performances, audio described performances preceded by touch tours, and a sensory relaxed performance – all aimed to ensure every child in Auckland has the opportunity to experience the magic of theatre catered to them.
GREEDY CAT
The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna
19 Sep – 10 Oct 2020
Ph 09 489 8360
For tickets to the public shows, with special discounts for holiday progammes and groups, visit https://nz.patronbase.com/_PumpHouse/Productions/GCTB/Performances
Limited tickets remain for the education season. Special discounts apply for schools, preschools and home school groups. For tickets, visit https://nz.patronbase.com/_PumpHouse/Productions/TEGC/Performances
*The show will go ahead if we are still in Level 2 for 70 people as per PumpHouse COVID-19 regulations. At Level 1 the show can be performed at full capacity of 192.
Māngere Arts Centre, Māngere
13 – 16 Oct
Ph 0800 289 849
Tickets for Māngere Arts Centre are available through Eventfinda
Accessible performances at The PumpHouse Theatre
NZ SIGN LANGUAGE interpreted performances:
Saturday 19 September, 5pm and Thursday 24 September, 10:30am and 1:00pm and Saturday 26th September 10.30am.
TOUCH TOUR and AUDIO DESCRIBED performances:
Tuesday 22 September, 1pm and Saturday 26 September, 1pm.
Please note the Touch Tour starts at 12pm (1 hr before the show).
SENSORY RELAXED performance on Monday 28 September 1pm.
Please visit timbray.org.nz for further helpful tools.
CAST (2020)
Max Easey as Greedy Cat
Kat Glass as Mum and Aunt Ann
Calum Hughes as Dad and a handful of other characters
Emma Jenkins-Purro as Katie
Musician: Thomas Botting.
Set and stage design: Rachael Walker
Theatre , Family , Children’s ,
55 mins
A feast for all ages
Review by Megan Fowlie 20th Sep 2020
Greedy Cat, by renowned New Zealand children’s author Joy Cowley, is the 100th production for the Tim Bray Theatre Company since 1991. The Gala night, delayed due to Covid-19, opens on the cusp of Auckland’s hopeful move from Level 2.5. With acknowledgement of the significant challenges and with heartfelt thanks for the support of sponsors and staff, Tim Bray brings together the well-known Greedy Cat storylines into a tight bright performance for all young eyes and ears.
From the welcome in te reo Māori, to the pitch for the outreach programme, Gift a Seat and the explanation of its accessible performances (for hearing and vision impaired), this theatre company oozes inclusivity with a rare authenticity. Greedy Cat is the first live performance where I have experienced NZ Sign Language throughout, and this is by no means an afterthought. Kelly Hodgins (NZ Signer) is as warm and expressive as any of the actors on stage and if anything, could move more central to the action, so as not to split one’s focus.
Greedy Cat’s set and stage design (Rachael Walker) leaves behind the muted line illustrations of the books. Through her bold clean palate of green, yellow, blue and red, and dominance of primary shapes – square cupboards, triangle tree, the circular pet bowls – the stage is reminiscent of Dr Seuss-cum-Blue’s Clues. While simple, it is an intensity that doesn’t let the eye rest until you find the bananas in suspension.
Greedy Cat is a universal story about cats with attitude, which enthrall us, frustrate us and sometimes disappoint us, but never succumb to our misplaced perception of human superiority.
Our human family – Dad (Calum Hughes), Mum (Kat Glass) and Katie (Emma Jenkins-Purro) – provide caricatures of the nuclear family: Dad, ever-so-nerdy with a Dad joke at the ready; Mum, doting, forgetful, always looking on the bright side; Aunt Ann (Kat Glass), AKA cat super-nanny in training; Katie, attuned to the Greedy Cat’s antics but either unable to direct the adults’ attention – or perhaps preferring to cautiously witness Greedy Cat’s next misadventure unhindered.
Greedy Cat (Max Easely) is a sleek yet pot-bellied ginger Tom. While appreciative of a scratch from Dad or snuggle from Katie, he is never too friendly to suggest co-dependence. Every stretch of paw, quiver, prance, thud and pounce is perfectly timed with the sound effects from multi-talented Thomas Botting, stage right. Greedy Cat’s expectant gaze, lingering at the prospect of food, draws you in (a stance common to cats and kids alike), and with every yelp and low long yowl of disapproval you are ever-closer to believing that Max Easley has found a percentage of feline DNA through Ancestry.com.
Calum Hughes pulls off convincingly quick character and costume changes for his parts as a Spanish sausage maker, French baker with sticky buns, English chippie and camp fruiterer providing some clever tongue-in-cheek adult humour. And, if young eyes aren’t drawn to the moustaches, sideburns and feathered Dame Edna glasses, then they’ll be noting the side action of Greedy Cat up to no good.
This snappy adaption is a feast of colour with something for everyone, a steady rhythm of anticipation and slapstick, and an element of audience participation to heighten the energy in the room. It sprints along, leaving the audience warm and satisfied before any young attention spans have a chance to flag.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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