MOTHER AND CHILD

Hanna star Cassandra Woodhouse says being a mother herself — she has a 12-year-old daughter — was her “greatest joy” and is a reason why she feels she can slip into Hanna’s character. Hanna is produced by the New Zealand Theatre company and being brought to Gisborne by Arts on Tour New Zealand. It is at the Lawson Field Theatre on Monday, March 6 at 7.30pm.

Cassandra Woodhouse is it, in the one-woman play Hanna which comes to Gisborne for one night, on March 6 at the Lawson Field Theatre.

The acclaimed play Hanna, written by UK playwright Sam Porter, is the story of a young mother and her journey when she realises her daughter Ellie is not her own child.

The show is directed by New Zealand acting and directing legend Jennifer Ward-Lealand.

“It’s really a story of what a mother will do to protect a child,” Woodhouse says.

The play has universal themes of racial identity and economic privilege, but its core theme is about family.

“Family is not just something that we are born into but is also connections we create along the way. That’s why I like playing Hanna.”

Woodhouse said being a mother herself — she has a 12-year-old daughter — was her “greatest joy” and is a reason why she feels she can slip into Hanna’s character.

She can relate to her character’s desire to go to any lengths for her daughter’s wellbeing in a role she says is “empowering”.

“One of the key qualities that I like about Hanna is her innocence. However, it also acts against her. She is an archetypal character, beautiful and innocent, who trusts the world and its people but in the end falls victim to that,” Woodhouse said.

She has had two roles in long-running New Zealand soap Shortland Street, the first in 2009 as Rose and more recently, as Sofia Fuego in 2016.

Early in her career she was in the television series Power Rangers, Almighty Johnsons and Filthy Rich.

She has done commercials too, and in 2020 played a porn star in Keep It Real Online, a government public awareness campaign to support tamariki and rangatahi to be safe online.

She is the founder of the New Zealand Theatre Company.

“It has always been my dream to create my own work since it’s not easy getting opportunities in the industry.”

Born in Auckland, Woodhouse was in her 20s when she started out modelling.

“It wasn’t intentional. But it did lead me to connect with some great people and find my confidence.

“As time rolled on, it sort of also led me into doing commercials and shows,” she said.

Talking to the Gisborne Herald, she did not shy away from the fact that she struggled through episodes of depression and anxiety when she first started her modelling career.

“ The good thing about getting older is you realise what led you into such a state in the first place. Hence I’m passionate about promoting wellness of artists and providing employment opportunities through my company to support artists in need,” Woodhouse said.

After 18 years in the entertainment industry, she has become a strong advocate for mental health issues.

“I think it’s a real issue, a silent pandemic in New Zealand. Ideas such as ‘you’ve got to toughen up’ must be done away with and people should be encouraged to open up about their distress.

“This is especially the case for artists who have to do so much balancing family and work.”

Hanna is produced by the New Zealand Theatre company and being brought to Gisborne by Arts on Tour New Zealand. It is at the Lawson Field Theatre on Monday, March 6 at 7.30pm. Tickets available