Radio Unity presents...

THE MASTER OF SUSPENSE: Fraser Grout, Wendy Dewstow, Tor Bjorn Ahman, Jillian Cooper, Mike Coyle, Jill White, Julie McPhail and Sarah Olsen star in Unity Theatre’s upcoming production of Joe Landry’s Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play. Poster design by Elenor Gill. Pictures, cast info and updates can be found on Unity Theatre’s Facebook page.

Radio show actors from the 1940s will turn up to work with scripts in hand at the same time as the audience on the Black Friday opening of Unity Theatre’s production of Vintage Hitchcock: A Live Radio Play.

Written by Joe Landry the play is a triple feature made up of Hitchcock classics such as The Lodger, Sabotage and The 39 Steps.

“There are high tension and shock moments,” says director Gina Ferkins.

“We are creating a chase on a train from the thriller 39 Steps. There’s a serial killer, stabbings and explosions.”

Vintage commercials, starring former Gisborne radio announcer Mike Coyle, will feature between shows.

Each actor in the Unity production plays multiple characters, says director Gina Ferkins.

“Sometimes one actor’s characters have deep and meaningful conversations with one another.”

Each actor was given free reign to dig deep and find those characters, which means they have a natural flow, says Ferkins.

“The actors have had a lot of input. It makes it lighter and more enjoyable. The play is a thriller but it’s dark and funny at the same time.

Played by Julie McPhail and Jill White, the Foley effects technicians — sound effect specialists — are as much a part of the production as the actors. The audience will see them as characters in themselves, says Ferkins.

As with live radio shows, the audience will be cued when to applause, and when to stop applauding; when to start and stop laughter. Ferkin has another idea to add to the live radio broadcast atmosphere.

“We’re inviting the audience to be a live radio show audience so we’d love people to come in period costume from the 1940s.”

Vintage Hitchcock: a live radio play, Unity Theatre, Ormond Road, September 13 - 20, 7.30pm. Matinees September 14 and 15 at 3.30pm. Tickets $25+bf from Gisborne i-Site or book online through eventfinda at https://tinyurl.com/yyworazl