Hannah says that her previous experience is “Clowning around – it’s what I am best at!” Which is to say, that amongst other roles she played LaVache, the rapping clown in 2009’s All’s Well That Ends Well. She has also performed in a number of pieces for Angie Farrow, and as well as receiving a Globe Award nomination for her role in Worse Things Happen At Sea, was critically acclaimed for her performance as the nurse, Susie, in Wit. She says she got involved with this year’s production because: “I had given Shakes a rest for a couple of years and seen the wonderful new faces coming through and knowing Amanda was going to be at the helm of this fine ship, I wanted to join in on the voyage.”
This is the sixth Summer Shakespeare that Mark has been involved in, five times in performance and last year, because of commitments that prevented him acting, he was the company’s dramaturge and voice coach. He’s a stalwart of amateur drama and musical in the city, performing in both straight and musical theatre, with more than 100 shows under his belt. Most recently he was seen singing in 42nd Street at The Regent, and not singing in The River.
Trent did his first Summer Shakespeare last year as well as playing a martian general in MUDS’ 2011 production Invaders From Mars. He played a leading role in Around the Kitchen Table for FONA 2010, and was part of the Manawatu Dreaming Street Theatre Company in 2011. He has also worked as a tech doing lighting for Creative Processes 2012 Summer School and completed Massey’s undergraduate papers in performing/expressive arts. He says he’s getting involved because “I met loads of fun people last year, but I also enjoy pushing myself.” His favourite moment from the play is where Sister Francis tells Leonato “Make those that do offend you suffer too” and suggests revenge for the shaming of Hero.
This is Natalie’s first role in Summer Shakespeare but she loves theatre, especially musical theatre, and has been in many plays in college. She is involved with MUDS and recently played a human president and an alien guard in their production of Invaders From Mars. She says “I just love drama and any opportunity to act and have fun.” As far as favourite moments from the play goes, hers is any point where Beatrice and Benedick bicker (what a lot of ‘b’s!)
