Tall toy tale
With a rolling cast of 35 actors, her latest production Toys, opening at Bats Theatre this week, has been a logistical challenge.
“Working around the schedules of 35 people and trying to keep all those names in my head hasn’t always been easy,” Roberts says, “but it’s been great fun.”
Toys is the latest festive frolic from the pens of Dan Musgrove and Natalie Medlock, who brought Christ Almighty! to Bats last Christmas. It’s a tale of toy revenge, set in the home of seven year old Charlie on Christmas Day. When something terrible happens to Charlie Barbie, Jack-in-the Box, Ball and the other toys have some explaining to do, and we learn not all toys have their owner’s best interests at heart.
“The actors play the toys and in their monologues tell us about their relationship with Charlie. It’s funny and irreverent, most definitely an adult show, but it will bring out the inner child in you.”
Roberts says she has taken a “light” approach to directing Toys with the actors only having two or three rehearsals with dialogue which is often loose and improvised.
“That’s the beauty of this show. It’s free and loose, more like a cabaret show. The actors really get to do their own thing on stage and the audience too becomes part of the performance.”
She says there have been other benefits for the actors, especially those new to the profession.
“This show gives those new to acting the chance to work with older professionals. So we’ve got people who graduated from drama school three weeks ago working alongside the likes of Ginette McDonald and Nick Dunbar.”
The actors are also giving their time free of charge, the proceeds from ticket sales going towards Bats Theatre and the redevelopment of the theatre’s upstair space. Audience members can also contribute to the Wellington City Mission Christmas appeal. Concession show tickets are available to all who donate a can of food.
Toys, Bats Theatre, December 7-10 and 13-17.










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