Kerikeri actor Grace Bentley returns for Odd One Out play

Grace Bentley (right), will appear in Odd One Out in her home town next week. Picture / Supplied

Actor Grace Bentley will be back in her home town of Kerikeri next week to perform in a Capital E show that talks openly with children about being different and feeling left out.

Odd One Out will be performed at the Turner Centre next Tuesdayas part of a nationwide winter tour.

Kerikeri-born Bentley, who joined the Northland Dance Academy at the age of 7, says her passion for the performing arts was sparked in primary school, when she played the role of the policeman in the famous song Y.M.C.A..

Drama was a constant through her high school years, performing at school and with the Kerikeri Little Theatre. She went on to study drama at Te Kura o Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School, in Wellington, graduating in 2016.

She is looking forward to performing in Kerikeri, where many of her family still live, and delivering an important message, especially for young children.

"It's awesome to be bringing Odd One Out to Kerikeri," she said.

"I am stoked to be going back. Kerikeri is where it all started for me in terms of
performance, and I love this little town and the people in it. I am already telling people like my old teachers and family friends to come along. This is a funny, wacky, light show that I think lots of people, especially kids, will enjoy."

Odd One Out is a story of acceptance, welcoming new people, being kind and inclusive.

The non-verbal live performance uses cheeky, bubbly characters and comic timing to tell the story.

Dr Sarah Rusholme, director of children and young people at Capital E, hoped the young audience would learn important lessons about inclusivity, and have fun along the way.

"Odd One Out is a fun show for kids to learn about being inclusive and how to deal with the feeling of being left out. We think it is important to introduce young children to live theatre, as it can ignite and fuel their creativity," she said.

For more go to www.capitale.org.nz/portfolio-posts/odd-one-out/.