A Kiwi take on the age old Hans Christian Andersen tale of The Emperor's New Clothes is on at the Fortune Theatre. Rebecca Fox discovers the children's production has a lot riding on it.
A fantastical pair of underpants may steal the show at Fortune Theatre this week.
For the first time in about five years, the theatre is producing its own children's show, The Emperor's New Clothes, a show written by Gregory Cooper (who recently starred in Niu Sila at the Fortune), adapted from the old Hans Christian Andersen tale.
While the traditional tale might include some nudity, it is not the case at the Fortune.
A pair of specially designed underpants made by the Fortune's wardrobe mistress, Maryanne Wright-Smyth, will maintain modesty.
"The horrible undies are as far as we go. They've been handcrafted with love,'' director Jordan Dickson said.
"They're awesome,'' Nick Tipa, the Emperor, said.
Not only is the play designed to enthral the under-13-year-olds, it will provide keen young dramatists an opportunity to perform on the theatre's main stage for the first time.
Fortune artistic director Jonathon Hendry, who is also co-directing the show, said when the original plan to bring in an independent children's theatre piece fell over, it was decided to do something different which could help his aim of finding ways for more young people to interact with the theatre.
"It is very important in theatre to find ways for young actors to work with professionals and help them develop.''
To that end they sourced the script from Cooper, who adapted the story during his time at Christchurch's Court Theatre.
They opened up auditions to young actors, with the successful actors from Dunedin improvisational group Improsaurus and the city's youth theatre company Counterpoint.
Dickson, Counterpoint's artistic director, came on board as co-director and is using the production as part of his master's studies for a paper in children's theatre as well as an opportunity to learn from Hendry.
"These people are our future.''
It also enabled the theatre to pay the actors for their work and backstage, an assistant stage manager was being mentored in lighting design, he said.
"My hope, my vision, is that there will be more of these opportunities to help young emerging artists to upskill.
"You never know but Jordan might end up directing at the Fortune in years to come.''
The cast of Trubie-Dylan Smith (Rufus), Tipa, Rachel Chin (princess Ava and Dufus) and Zac Nicholls (musician) was a very resourceful young group.
"They have such energy and commitment. They have brought a desire to put on the best kids' show they possibly can.''
Chin was playing two very different characters: the pretty princess in a crown and the not-so bright clown.
"They are both very different which helps. It's a lot easier than I thought.''
Smith plays the scoundrel of the piece who knows the weaknesses of the Emperor and seeks to make a profit out of it, helped along by Chin's Dufus.
Dickson said he and the cast were having a great time discovering the gags and surprises in the script as they rehearsed.
"It's written for New Zealand with a modern twist.''
The show will have plenty of improvisation and interaction for the young audience.
"I like kids as they are more forthcoming and open with their thoughts and with its interactive style we won't know what is coming each time, which will make it fresh and exciting.
"It'll be very different every single day which will be rewarding to watch.''
He also hopes there will be a few jokes and references that will entertain the parents accompanying the children.
"The moral of the story is pretty timeless. Not getting too carried away with your own ego.''
Tipa said he was enjoying playing a very vain but good-hearted emperor who goes to some length to prove he is the greatest emperor in the land.
"Unfortunately it backfires on him.''
The audience will get a chance to meet the cast afterwards and take part in activities such as crown making prior to the show.
"It'll be a whole morning or afternoon out with the kids.''
The play
• The Emperor's New Clothes, Fortune Theatre, July 16-23, 11am and 1pm. No Sunday shows.
