Featuring Dunedin actor and comedian Harriet Moir, the production is the South Island premiere of Nicola Cheeseman is Back! by New Zealand playwright Kathryn Burnett.
Directed by Kim Morgan, with design by Matt Morgan and Garry Keirle, and live original music performed by Dunedin musician Shannon Burnett, the 90-minute play offers a very Kiwi take on a universal conundrum.
"Do old dreams shrivel over time? Do they crumble and rot? Or do they just sit patiently in a dark corner and wait?"
The play follows the adventures of titular character Nicola Cheeseman — a middle-aged woman dealing with a failed marriage, elder care, children and a thankless job.
The irrepressible Nicola is determined to shake up her life and get back to her best self — and step one is to re-form her youthful punk band The Cherry Slits.
Kim Morgan is excited to be working with the multi-talented Moir on the play, which skewers many of the same issues for women as Moir’s recent comedy shows Just Eat the Damn Sausage and Dear Stalker.
Described as a story that "every woman will get, and every man should see", Nicola Cheeseman is Back! is relatable and tackles some of life’s cringe-worthy moments.
"Harriet’s work in this space is hugely popular with local audiences, so we are delighted to be working with her on the show," Morgan said.
Moir said the real life parallels between her own life and that of Nicola Cheeseman made it easy to relate to the character as a performer.
"It feels as if this play was almost written for me, and there are definitely a lot of hilarious moments as Nicola harks back to the punk goddess she once was," Moir said.
"And when she asks ‘how did I end up in this life?’, I think that is something everyone can recognise.
"So, we cheer her on as she starts to reclaim herself, but of course, it has to be a new version of her former self after all of her life experiences."
Moir, who has had a widely varied career, including musical theatre, comedy, being a celebrant, and now as an actor, is grateful for the opportunity.
"Telling someone else’s story is a very different discipline from doing stand-up comedy, so it is a learning experience for me — one that I am relishing."
Another exciting aspect of the show is the inclusion of live music, including a punk song written especially by Matt Morgan and performed live by Shannon Burnett.
"Given the play’s subject matter and the character’s determination to get back to her punk roots, we felt it was important to give it that punk ethos," Morgan said.
Nicola Cheeseman is Back! will be staged from tonight until Saturday, and July 1-4, at Te Whare o Rukutia, 20 Princes St. All shows at 7.30pm. Tickets via trybooking.com
The production is supported by the Otago Community Trust, Dunedin City Council and Te Whare o Rukutia.
