Farewell to the Fortune

‘‘Farewell to the Fortune’’

7.30pm, November 9 and 10, Mayfair Theatre, Dunedin.

Tickets: $32. Book at eventbrite.co.nz

Something for everyone

Two revue-style gala shows will bid a ‘Farewell to the Fortune’ next month. This joyful old-fashioned celebration of the theatre’s work will feature songs and excerpts from four of the Fortune’s most popular productions over its 45 years.

Produced by Stage South and supported by the Otago Community Trust, the Farewell to the Fortune shows will be hosted by Peter Hayden and Pip Laufiso at the Mayfair Theatre on November 9 and 10.

Danny Mulheron and Stephen Sinclair's ‘The Sex Fiend’ sees newly elected university Sexual Harassment Officer, Matt, trying his hapless best to be sensitive to all. He's hosting a women's poetry group. His flat's being turned into wimminspace. Now his crass country cousin Brent's arrived for a good time in the city.  Featuring Alex Martyn, Katherine Kennedy, Orion Carey-Clark, Rosella Hart and Sara Georgie, and directed by Jordan Dickson.

‘The Importance of Being Earnest’ is Oscar Wilde's most enduring popular play. In this 'trivial comedy for serious people', Mr John Worthing hopes to marry Miss Gwendolen Fairfax. Having been found as a baby in a handbag at Victoria Station however, he is considered an unsuitable match by her mother, the formidable Lady Bracknell. It features Barry Dorking,  Jodie Bate,  Kris Bate and Matt Wilson, with Peter Hayden and is directed By Patrick Davies.

In Roger Hall's ‘Conjugal Rites’, it's the morning of Gen and Barry's 21st wedding anniversary. As they read the paper in bed, they talk of film stars and crushes, bad habits and change, and wonder where the time went. With Fran Kewene and Ross Johnston, directed by Karen Elliot.

A spoof of Alfred Hitchcock's classic movie, Patrick Barlow's worldwide hit ‘The 39 Steps’ takes you on a frantic train ride from London to Edinburgh with underwear salesmen, a man on the run, police, a beautiful woman and many others. Fast, furious and utterly silly. Featuring Danny Still and Patrick Davies in multiple roles, along with Rosella Hart and Matt Wilson, directed By Patrick Davies.

Behind the scenes are Peter King, Maryanne Smyth, Garry Keirle, Stephen Kilroy, Katrina Chandra, Clare Adams, Jordan Dickson, Matt Best and Anna van den Bosch.

Join Stage South to bid farewell to the Fortune and look to Dunedin's theatre future. 


Pair’s lucky encounter at theatre

Happy ending . . . Dunedin actors and perform­ers Kris and Jodie Bate, who met while at the...
Happy ending . . . Dunedin actors and perform­ers Kris and Jodie Bate, who met while at the Fortune Theatre, will perform in the ‘‘Farewell to the Fortune’’ gala shows. PHOTO: THE STAR
Dunedin actors and performers Kris and Jodie Bate have a special affection for the Fortune Theatre — it’s where they met and fell in love.

"It’s nice to be working with so many old friends. It will be a great send-off for the Fortune."

It was in 2004 they ‘‘first laid eyes on each other’’, at a read-through for The Pied Piper, and after more theatrical encounters, they got together.

Now, 14 years later, the married couple are parents to Thommy (7) and Eva-Rose (5), and have also founded their own production company, The Unity Creative.

Recent projects have included collaborating with fellow artists on award-winning children’s show Charlie, Estelle and the Poppazoid for the recent NZ International Science Festival, and preparations for Kris to record an album of original music.

The couple are delighted to have the opportunity to pay tribute to the Fortune Theatre by performing in next month’s revue show.

‘‘From a personal point of view, we have huge sentimental roots at the Fortune Theatre, because we met there and it has played a big part in our lives,’’ Jodie said.

‘‘Our children have really grown up around the theatre.’’

Kris and Jodie Bate will play star-crossed young lovers Gwendolen and Jack in an excerpt from Oscar Wilde’s The Importance of Being Earnest during Stage South’s ‘‘Farewell to the Fortune’’ tribute shows.

They will be working alongside Barry Dorking (Lady Bracknell), Matt Wilson (Algernon) and Peter Hayden (Lane) to perform part of the comedy’s first act, under the direction of Patrick Davies.

‘‘We will be starting script-down rehearsals soon, once Patrick arrives in Dunedin, so that will be fun,’’ Kris said.

‘‘It’s nice to be working with so many old friends. It will be a great send-off for the Fortune.’’

 

Davies to revisit role

Danny Still and Patrick Davies (right) during the 2010 production of The 39 Steps.
Danny Still and Patrick Davies (right) during the 2010 production of The 39 Steps.
Patrick Davies is looking forward to reprising his performance in The 39 Steps during the upcoming gala.

The former Dunedin actor will reunite with Danny Still, echoing their roles from the 2010 production at the Fortune Theatre, which was directed by Hilary Norris.

‘‘It was a real delight,’’ he says. ‘‘Rehearsals were a lot of fun, and we were all trying out new ideas. It was fun to do so many different voices, and the costumes were brilliant.’’

The Fortune’s production was described as ‘‘fast and furious lunacy’’ by reviewer Terry MacTavish. He said Davies and Still were ‘‘outstanding physical comedians, juggling characters with ease’’ in The 39 Steps.

‘‘Danny and I were literally dripping in sweat,’’ Davies remembers.

‘‘But it was a thrilling ride every night, and we were thinner and fitter by the end.’’

He says it will be interesting to try and remember the physicality of the show for the excerpt in November’s Farewell to the Fortune shows, laughing that ‘‘my body might have a problem with it’’.

Now busy working in theatre in Wellington, Davies says it will be great to again see many of the people who were associated with the Fortune Theatre.

‘‘It’s good for the community to mark the passing of something that was so important in the Dunedin landscape.’’


 

 

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