“3 Piece, SWEET!”

Three one act plays will be presented:

"Horst Buchholz and Other Stories" by Matthew Wilkie

Directed by Maria-Jane Scannell

George and his friends enjoy taking part in their local pub quiz. They always bicker and never win. However, this time, for George, the stakes have been raised ... defeat is not an option.

"Dead Man Talking"
by Deborah Makarios

Directed by Colin McKinney and Aimee Borlase

Setting: a flat in Mayfair, New Years Eve, 1928. A quirky murder mystery by a New Zealand playwright, in which things may not be not as they seem...

"Cupboard Love" by Bev McConnell

Directed by Mark O’Connell

(In conjunction with Rangiora Players.)

Two women meet while out jogging along the Esplanade. They strike up a friendship as they discover they have lots in common; a love of food, a desire to lose weight and both have a new man in their lives.

Two of the plays, "Horst Buchholz and Other Stories" and "Dead Man Talking" are entered in this year’s NZ Theatre Federation One Act Play Festival.  “Dead Man Talking” was also presented as a reading last year at The Forge.  “Cupboard Love” comes via Rangiora Players, following a season there last month.  So if you are a fan of the one acts, and looking for a fun night out, “3 Piece, SWEET!” is designed for you.  At $12 per person, this is excellent value.

“Agnes Of God”
By John Pielmeier
Produced by special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc.

Elmwood Players are excited to be bringing “Agnes Of God”  to the Christchurch stage.

Directed by Garry Thomas
2 – 11 June
(Thurs – Sat; Weds – Sat)

Synopsis
Dr. Martha Livingstone, a court appointed psychiatrist, is asked to determine the sanity of a young novitat – Agnes - accused of murdering her newborn.

Agnes insists the birth was the result of a virgin conception, while the Mother Superior determinedly keeps young Agnes from the doctor, arousing Livingstone’s suspicions further.

Who killed the infant and who fathered the tiny victim?

Livingstone’s questions force all three women to re-examine the meaning of faith and the power of love leading to a dramatic, compelling climax.

“Agnes Of God” was first staged on Broadway in 1982, and was later adapted for a movie, starring Jane Fonda, Anne Bancroft and Meg Tilly.

“This is a wonderful character driven play,” says director Garry Thomas. “It has been very demanding on the cast, who remain on stage for the entire performance.

All three roles are fully developed, with a terrific back story, and the ending definitely leaves you thinking.”

The play is widely believed to be based on an actual incident that took place in New York in mid-1970.

Cast
Dr Livingstone, court appointed psychiatrist
Nikki Conyers

Mother Superior
Heather Giles

Agnes, a young  nun
Aimee Borlase