Casting call for Unity's next show, The Bach

SUMMER TROUBLE: James Packman (left), who played a salty character in Unity Theatre’s 2016 production of The Motor Camp that included Elliot Blakely, Gina Ferkins, Dave Hall and Jessie Bourke, will direct another Kiwi summer holiday-based comedy, The Bach. Picture supplied

IN the tradition of Dave Armstrong’s Kiwi comedy The Motor Camp, Unity Theatre plans to stage Stephen Sinclair’s The Bach.

Gisborne performer James Packman, who played an obnoxious bogan in Unity Theatre’s popular production of The Motor Camp last year, will take on the role of director for the Unity Theatre production. He will hold auditions next week.

This is not Packman’s directorial debut. A musical called The Book of Love he wrote and directed for a Centre Stage production at the old War Memorial Theatre was a five-night success.

Since then he has performed in several shows but for the past few years he has had an urge to take a directorial role.

“I’ve been waiting for the right play to come along. I definitely wanted to do a Kiwi play. The Bach is about getting away for the weekend. It’s themes are similar to that of The Motor Camp but they are darker.”

With issues such as a public toilet and council involvement, and references to the legalisation of cannabis, the play is topical, especially in light of the upcoming general elections, says Packman.

“It’s very Kiwi and a scenario people can relate to when issues surface while you’re on holiday and under the influence.”