KIWI SATIRICAL COMEDY HIGHLIGHT OF HLT STUDIO THEATRE’S INAUGURAL YEAR

The highlight of Auckland HLT Studio’s inaugural year, White Gold, is a wickedly satirical comedy specially written for the theatre company by Auckland PR and marketing expert, Peter Boyes.

White Gold, which takes a wry look at Kiwi business culture and communications mishaps, puts our biggest industry, dairying, under a forensic spotlight. The new play will be directed by experienced theatre actor, Sue Golding, in charge of her first full-length production.

Auckland HLT Studio aims to encourage new and returning actors, new directors, new writers and new designers to experience theatre in an environment tailored to nurture emerging talent. It provides a smaller theatre experience where experimental and innovative productions can be staged.

HLT Studio Artistic Director, Terry Hooper explains: `Our mission is to present three short seasons of plays and a series of regular staged readings each year. Our first production, An Unseasonable Fall of Snow, featured a first-time director. The second production, The Understudy was by an established playwright, selected for emerging actors to shine, with an experienced director. Finally, the third production is a very funny and very poltical new work written by Peter Boyes, a new local playwright, supported by an accomplished production team – both on and off stage.’

HLT President, Rae McGregor explains: `For 60 years Howick Little Theatre has been producing high-quality, entertaining, accessible and enriching theatre as well as creating an environment that encourages and recognises the artist in each of us. Howick Little Theatre is a committed champion of New Zealand theatre, premiering a number of local productions and nurturing our native talent. We wanted to mark this special year by introducing the HLT Studio, which aims to bring new talent to theatre as well as persuade old friends to come back, by getting involved in shorter and less demanding productions.’

HLT Artistic Adviser, Alison Mudford adds: `Our five main productions each year are some of the best and most professional theatre experiences in New Zealand. In 60 years the theatre has evolved to become one of Auckland’s best-known and most respected theatres. The HLT Studio is designed to be a less intimidating, more intimate, but no less professional introduction to theatre and we are thrilled that Terry Hooper and Nick Martin brought the concept to us and have volunteered to help bring it into being.’

HLT Studio’s production of White Gold, written by Peter Boyes, directed by Sue Golding and produced by Terry Hooper, will play for a short season of only five performances from October 8^th to 11^th at 8 pm, with a 2 pm matinee on Saturday 11^th October.

For further information contact: Terry Hooper on 021 078 936