Queenstown actress Sandi Murphy plays six characters in the
one-woman play Verbatim, in aid of the Wakatipu Abuse
Prevention Network, at The Hills Clubhouse, on Friday and
Saturday. Photo by Exposure Talent and Model Agency.
A Queenstown actress, playing six multinational
characters, aims to raise awareness of domestic violence in the
Wakatipu and will give all proceeds to a refuge for abuse
survivors.
Trained stage and screen actress and yoga teacher Sandi
Murphy, of Arthur's Point, revived her solo performance of
Verbatim after a chance conversation with Arrowtown
entrepreneur and arts supporter Michael Hill, who was in her
yoga class, in mid-May.
Mr Hill offered the clubhouse at The Hills golf course, near
Arrowtown, for the two performances of the play, which was
written and devised by William Brandt and Miranda Harcourt.
Ms Murphy said all words were verbatim of what convicted
murderers, families of murder victims and families of
murderers expressed in more than 30 interviews.
The writers toured the 1992 play in New Zealand prisons as
drama therapy.
"They used a bit of artistic licence to turn it into a series
of monologues, which can bounce off the six characters.
"You have to be clear in your performances, as there are no
costume changes."
Ms Murphy, the mother of a 20-month-old son, will play the
central character of Aaron Daly, a 22-year-old New Zealander
serving life in prison for murder. She also plays Aaron's
elder sister, their mother, Daly's girlfriend, plus the
murder victim and the victim's husband.
"Everyone has a different perspective on the murder, so it
almost has the tone of a documentary, although it's not one
person's particular story."
Ms Murphy first performed Verbatim during the
Edinburgh Festival Fringe and in London pub theatres,
including on an old barge on the River Thames, in 2001.
"I like the more meaty roles I can get my teeth into.
"Often the characters are more interesting from the wrong
side of the tracks.
"I'm not that way at all. It's fun to dabble in what you
don't know."
The Queenstown-raised, former Wakatipu High School pupil
trained at Vancouver Film School in 1998, after graduating
with a theatre and film degree from Victoria University, in
Wellington, in 1995.
The play aimed to throw light on domestic violence and
support the Wakatipu Abuse Prevention Network [WAPN], Ms
Murphy said.
"This is what inspired me to give all proceeds to WAPN and
draw awareness to a problem that underlines the majesty of
this place."
• Verbatim, The Hills Clubhouse, McDonnell Rd,
Arrowtown, July 23 and July 24.
Show begins at 7.30pm.
Tickets $45 including drink and pizza after the show.
Silent auction.
All proceeds to the Wakatipu Abuse Prevention Network.
Bookings essential: 021-780-555 (Julie Scott), or jscott@thehills.co.nz.
WAPN: 03-442-7145 - 24 hours.
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