Heart-warming classic It’s a Wonderful Life starts at Gisborne’s Evolution Theatre

It's a Wonderful Life opens on Thursday at Evolution Theatre. A festive favourite around the world, the play is about families and communities coming together in times of trouble. In a scene from the play are (from left) Ianthe Cundall-Curry, Jill White, Robbie Bloomfield (as lead character George Bailey) Emi Fourie, Iidil Merlini and Edi Fourie.

It’s a Wonderful Life, by Gisborne’s Evolution Theatre Company, opens on Thursday and director Julie McPhail is promising a heart-warming play about families and communities coming together to help each other in times of trouble.

McPhail said she was drawn to the play because it had a mixed cast of adults and children - the young cast playing the characters when they were children.

“I am always keen to encourage the younger members of our community to experience the wonder of live theatre,” McPhail said.

The play is about George Bailey, an ordinary man whose life has not turned out as he dreamed it would as a child.

When the pressures of dealing with this life become too much, and he feels like he is letting his friends and family down, he considers ending it.

But a guardian angel trying to earn her wings tries to help him see the consequences of his choices.

“Our cast are passionate about the story. We had a movie night at Dinna’s (Evolution Theatre founder Dinna Myers) house and watched the old black and white movie, and some of us were moved to tears, but we all became dedicated to bringing the story to the stage.

“It’s a Wonderful Life is a lovely old movie watched around the world but it is not well known here.”

McPhail has been involved with Evolution Theatre since the beginning, starring in many of its plays and working behind the scenes as well.

She started the youth drama group Rising Stars with daughter Beth Fourie, who still runs the programme.

The last play she directed was Calendar Girls with Unity Theatre during the Covid-19 lockdowns and social distancing.

In It’s a Wonderful Life, the audience will have the experience of being surrounded by a stage on every wall, with paths through the middle where the actors access each stage.

“There is also the wonderful scenery - all built, painted and decorated by Dave Hall and Dinna Myers, with Dinna’s usual eye for every detail.”

There are lots of minor roles in the play, so most of the cast play more than one role.

“As an actor, this is my favourite thing to do,” McPhail said.

“Because I am passionate about live theatre, whether it be acting on stage, dressing cast or being part of an audience, the wonder of taking words on a page and turning them into a play is always there, and I love feeling, the magic, when it all comes together.

“I want people to see a feelgood play and experience the wonder of live theatre.”

It’s a Wonderful Life

Evolution Theatre, 75 Disraeli St,

Thursday, November 20, to Sunday, November 30

Tickets on Trybooking.com or at the Gisborne iSite

Door sales available