Carl Nixon’s Super Nan! is recast to tie in with the Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival at the Fortune Theatre these school holidays. 

“To tie in with the Dunedin Cadbury Chocolate Carnival” may be the operative term.  It is hard to break the script from its sponsor in a sense as the sponsor’s product has been so firmly entwined with the story. The word advertainment comes to mind, however there are negative connotations attached to that word and I’m a believer that there is a place for further corporate sponsorship in New Zealand theatre, especially as we are likely to see extended cuts to the Arts under a right wing government.

Super Nan! is undoubtedly fun, there is no questioning that. It garnered a positive response from both the children and the adults that accompanied them on the day which is a talent not to be dismissed easily. Entertaining such a wide age bracket is hard work and a testament to the Direction of Hilary Norris and the actors (Clair Adams, Nadya Shaw-Bennett and Hadley Taylor). 

The city specific references such as the talking head and pre-recorded voice of Dunedin Mayor Dave Cull, the name drop of Baldwin St etc…, were effortlessly executed by playwright Carl Nixon and went down a treat.

The only issue for me was that Cadbury Chocolate may have elbowed its way into becoming a major character in a play in which it wasn’t originally allocated a role. Sure, as part of the Cadbury Carnivale, I expected chocolate references but the threat of all the chocolate being destroyed in Dunedin, as well as being a reoccurring prop, as well as being the super food that made Super Nan super, as well as being the kryptonite for the evil Dr. Cavity as well as the branding colour of Super Nan’s cape … felt slightly forced. You need to be careful that the product sponsorship doesn’t run away with the story.

Having said that, it was all smiles in the audience at lights up and it is heartening to see more children’s theatre in Dunedin, as for many it is their first or once in a blue moon theatrical experience. By providing these opportunities to the public, it is just these types of shows which help foster and maintain the future New Zealand theatre going audience.
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