EVERYMAN
Keirunga Homestead Theatre, Keirunga Gardens, Puflett Rd, Havelock North
13/10/2020 - 17/10/2020
Hawkes Bay Arts Festival 2020 (Harcourts)
Production Details
From the expansive hub of London’s National Theatre, to Heretaunga, Hawke’s Bay Youth Theatre transplants this new, energetic, and visceral production of Carol Ann Duffy’s Everyman.
Originally the cornerstone of 15th century English morality plays, Poet Laureate Carol Ann Duffy’s re-imagining of the script brings a startling relevance to modern life. Rhyme, rhythm and colourful cadences create an exciting and enticing web around 21st century culture.
Alongside the direction of Peter Cottrell and the co-direction and movement direction of Champa J. Maciel, the actors of Hawke’s Bay Youth Theatre bring this story roaring and rumbling into 2020. Amidst climate strikes, social unrest and pandemic, young voices are itching to be heard, and the incredible actors of Hawke’s Bay’s own youth company tenaciously grasp this story with maturity and immense energy.
From open to close, the audience will be swept on a dynamic and intimate journey that questions values of belonging, of family, of the individual, and of accountability. It is an experience that leaves viewers moved and breathless. Everyman is a heartfelt, physical and utterly unapologetic exploration of the forces that have shaped the world around us.
Keirunga Theatre
Tue Oct 13th & Wed Oct 14th 2020, 6pm
Thu Oct 15th – Sat Oct 17th 2020, 7.30pm
Adult: $29.00
Concession: $24.00
Group – 10 or More Tickets: $26.10
BUY TICKETS
All tickets are GENERAL ADMISSION
Concession = Gold Card Holders, Community Service Card Holders & Full Time Students with ID
Child = 16 Years & Under (selected shows only)
High School Student = (selected shows only)
RATING
16+ STRONG LANGUAGE & ADULT REFERENCES
If you have any issues buying your tickets, please contact the festival office on 06 651 2487 between the hours of 9am – 4pm or email the team
Youth , Theatre ,
1 hr 30 min
A totally engaged and enthusiastic audience
Review by Ken Keys 14th Oct 2020
It’s rare, in theatre, for a show to live up to its pre-production hype.
In the case of Everyman, performed by the Hawke’s Bay Youth Theatre, every glowing epithet is ‘on the button’: “energetic”, “visceral”, “breathless”….!
Carol-Ann Duffy’s Everyman is a complex Modern Morality Play, where a young man dies and is forced to “reckon his accounts before God (and the Devil)”. A brutal reckoning!
The result is a dystopian, apocalyptic experience that is a shattering reflection of today’s “Trumpian” world (though written long before the rise of the aforesaid Donald!). Yet the Mediaeval elements – e.g. an amazing self-flagellation scene – are very cleverly woven into the play’s fabric.
Directors Peter Cotrell and Champa Maciel have fashioned a tightly-knit, integrated Creation that combines sound, lighting, song, movement and physicality, costume and, above all, amazing acting by these young performers that is truly memorable.
Of course, it is a painful rage against pollution, Man’s ineptitude in the face of climate change and facile religious beliefs, as well as all the Seven Deadly Sins of the Mediaevals. However, while, this young team of 14 capture all the anger and frustration, they also make real the hunger for Hope in scenes that are poignant and sad, as with the old parents of Everyman – the innocent boy on the scooter.
Invidious as it may be to single any one out in such a strong ensemble piece, it is only fair to congratulate Anna Gilmore, as God, on the strength of her characterisation and mature vocal delivery. Tom Steinmann delivers a tour de force way beyond his years, as the tortured Everyman.
The Directors’ decision to include, in a Youth production, the experienced Andy Brigden as the Devil – the ‘lady in red’ (or black), cynical, mocking, controlling the hapless humans – works superbly. She anchors the drama and is a mature acting foil to the fumbling and confused humans, as played by the youthful cast.
Above all, though, it is an ensemble drama and it is glaringly obvious that months of work has gone into creating that ensemble spirit and creativity, before the script was even tackled. Every single member of the cast makes a critical contribution to a memorable piece of theatre.
A wonderful drama. A full house. And a totally engaged and enthusiastic audience!
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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