Sharu Delilkan meets a mnan who has seen the light and moved up to full blown production work.
Like many theatre stage managers Josh Hyman feels the role of production manager is a natural progression.
After recently working as stage manager on the Silo production of Assassins, the city-dweller has moved on
to production manager for Silo's next show, Happy Days.
"Unlike a stage manager, I'm involved with everything except the actors on stage," he explains.
Once again, he'll work with set designer John Verryt. "Although I have a lot of technical know-how, I don't have a designer's eye, so it's extremely interesting learning from someone of John's calibre."
Directed by Michael Hurst, Samuel Beckett's Happy Days is widely regarded as a modern masterpiece. Anyone harbouring fond imaginings that it bears even the slightest resemblance to the jolly TV show of the same name is barking right up the wrong tree. It was last staged in Auckland in 1975 by the now long-gone Theatre Corporate.
Stage management and production work were far from Hyman's mind when he studied lighting design at Unitec a decade ago. "It was not long before I realised that stage management and generally supporting people on stage was my calling."
Silo Theatre's executive producer, Frith Walker says she had a sixth sense Hyman would work out well in production. "He was a good listener, fastidious, and basically had the personality that one needs as a stage manager.
"It's so nice for someone to follow in your footsteps, take it and make it better. Dare I say he's one of the best people I've ever met."
Happy Days, Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, 50 Mayoral Dr, Aug 20 - Sept18. Tickets: ph 3573355 or see: www.the-edge.co.nz
