A jack of all trades, Sofie Welvaert could not resist the challenge of directing and costume-designing for the Globe Theatre’s latest production, Wyrd Sisters. She tells Rebecca Fox about the fun and challenges of the production.
It is not unusual to find Sofie Welvaert buried in piles of material in her living room happily creating her latest costume.
''I enjoy seeing the evolution in front of you,'' the drama and science teacher says.
''I can't help myself.''
It is certainly the case for her latest commitment; to not only direct The Globe's first play of the season, Wyrd Sisters, based on the novel by Terry Pratchett, but also make the costumes as well.
A huge commitment, given the play is her first major directorial endeavour. She prefers performing and costume creation.
''This play had to be put on, so I had to do it. It was just too exciting not to do.''
So she gave up her school holidays to create costumes; for a daemon, sewing bells on a fool's costume, to name just a few of the challenges.
''He is very jangly.
''You have to be really organised. When you're interested you don't notice the time. It's currently in project mode; you just about can't see the carpet in the living room of my wee flat.''
She describes the play as perfect for community theatre, with 38 characters and the wonderful writing of Pratchett, which appeals to so many.
''It appeals to the witty and clever, the Pratchett nerds who will get all the tiny in-jokes. I had to read it four times to understand all of the jokes.''
But the play had plenty of silliness and fun that will appeal to the not-so-nerdy, she says.
''It's wonderful for an intimate space like the Globe.''
Welvaert had to draw together a cast of 15, a handful of whom play multiple roles; up to six in one case.
''There is a lot of rushing about changing characters all the way through. It keeps it busy.''
That created one of the main challenges of the piece, keeping control of all the many moving parts.
''There are 23 scenes which go like, snap, snap. Anyone who knows Pratchett knows it's all about the pace; it is non-stop.''
So as well as the 15 actors, there are the props, scenes and story to keep on top of and make sure all the pieces come together.
''It keeps me on my toes, but I'm spoilt. For one, Pratchett's words are so wonderful; it's all there.''
The response to a call for cast members was good, enabling her to establish a cast that fitted the roles perfectly.
''The characters are just developing before my eyes.
''We had a huge turnout for the auditions; we had to turn some really talented people away so we got the right people for the roles. A mix of veterans and high school kids.''
That mix, which includes a former pupil, has added a layer to the rehearsal process, she says.
''It has a real ensemble feel to hanging out at the theatre.''
As the story is so complex and fast-paced, she has decided to keep the sets simple, instead asking the audience to imagine the scenes.
''There are so many very short scenes and Pratchett is about the words.''
While relatively new to the fantasy writings of Pratchett, she is aware there are many devoted fans of his work.
''Some people have read every single book.''
Her favourite scenes in the Wyrd Sisters included the summoning of the daemon.
''There are too many pieces. I love the appreciation for the mundane that Pratchett stories have and that particular scene has a practicality to it.''
Welvaert's love of drama developed at high school despite it not having a drama department.
''We did it anyway.''
She went on to join the theatre club at Massey University (MUDS) and has been involved in theatre ever since.
The first time she saw the Wyrd Sisters, a performance by MUDS, was before she joined.
''It's obviously stuck in my head since then.''
After moving to Dunedin to do a master's degree, she became involved with the Globe Theatre.
''I've been involved since 2011 in all sorts of capacities. I've been on the committee, I've taken photos, designed costumes, I've performed.''
Her love of costume-making means she spends a lot of time looking for material she can upcycle use, visiting opportunity shops, searching out old curtains and scraps of material.
''I've spent a lot of time in community or poor theatre so I'm very good at upcycled, recycled, rebuilt use.''
As a result, she has become known as the person to give ''weird stuff'' to, items that people think twice about throwing out.
''There is an interesting phenomenon happening where people know I build weird stuff so they bring me stuff. Someone pulled out of their bag the other day some small squares of foam they were going to throw out but thought I might have a use for them. They just accumulate. You never know when you're going to need a hat or horns, that sort of thing.''
Not only is she juggling the Globe production with teaching science at Kaikorai Valley College but also with rehearsals for a Fringe Festival production, Mental Notes, which is about mental health and hopes to raise funds for the Suicide Prevention Trust.
''It's busy, but I like being busy.''
