Getting a glimpse into the dance scene of the 1960s has made a group of young actors wish for similar events to be held today.
The cast of Flagons and Foxtrots have had a crash course in the era's culture as the play, written by New Zealanders Alison Quigan and Ross Gumbley, is set in Dunedin in 1964 around the old hall dances and a group of ''lads'' who band together to play their music against the wishes of Sid Jenkins (Phil Vaughan), who runs the dances with help from Aunty Ina (Cheryl Amos).
''It pitches young versus the old. I think there will be people saying I was that young person, I remember ...'' director Melanie Luckman said.
''We're trying to make it as specific as we can so there are references to places and things people will recognise.''
It is the first show at the Fortune Theatre for Ms Luckman, who was born in Dunedin but is based in Christchurch.
A freelance theatre director, she was the Court Theatre's associate director in 2013-14 and was nominated for a Chapman Tripp award for Most Promising New Director 2012 for Immaculate (Backyard Theatre, Wellington).
To get a real feel for the era, the group had talked to people who attended the dances about their experiences, Kathleen Burns, who plays Rita, said.
''The people we've talked to have really enjoyed talking about it and we have talked about how we really wish we had these dances now for social interaction, rather than Facebook and Tinder. It's not really the same.''
Jared Kirkwood, who plays Archie, said people said the equivalent was clubbing, but people did not really want to meet their significant other in clubs, either.
Ms Burns said the style of dancing today was different; there was not the eye contact and physical proximity.
''And you have to be good. You want to be impressive. You have to be either good or hot or both. It is really hard to talk and dance at the same time.''
As well as learning their lines, the actors have also had to learn dances of the times - the waltz, foxtrot and Gay Gordons - under the tutelage of choreographer Brian Johnston, and the boys also had to brush up on their musical skills.
''A cast normally spend four weeks just learning a script, but these guys have to also learn the music and dancing as well as script in the same amount of time,'' Ms Luckman said.
''The guys have developed their own Ray Columbus The Mod thing.''
The dances had brought back the cast's memories of school dance lessons, where the boys and girls did not want to touch each other.
''The difference in this play is they wanted to do it - it was the social interaction of the day.''
Ms Amos said learning to dance and the protocols of the night was a very important ''rite of passage'' for Pinky (played by James Foster).
''It is his first dance and you see it through his eyes.''
Mr Kirkwood, of Auckland, said it was a heavier workload than normal and admitted music was his first passion.
''I discovered music before acting and was in a band throughout my teenage years, but I couldn't afford the equipment so I chose acting. So the music in this is great fun.''
A big part of the play was the costumes being made by the Fortune's wardrobe department.
''There will be tight pants for the boys and bright colours for the girls. A mix of big puffy skirts and sexy minis.''
There would also be references to supper food of old, such as Dundee cake, fish-paste sandwiches and lots of cups of tea.
Playing a group of teenagers had brought out the group's teenage tendencies, Ms Luckman said.
But despite their antics it came down to a storyline with a ''real heart to it''.
''The great thing about the play is you do genuinely care for the characters as well as enjoy the antics.
''It doesn't matter if you are young or old, it's a feel-good story with an edge of naughtiness.''
