The Kerikeri Theatre Company is rapt after its God of Carnage production won two major Napta awards.
From left; Shaun Clarke, Dave Stearns, Isa Hackett, Alan Thomas, Vivian Thonger and Judy Terry.
The Kerikeri Theatre Company is rapt after its God of Carnage production won two major Napta awards.
From left; Shaun Clarke, Dave Stearns, Isa Hackett, Alan Thomas, Vivian Thonger and Judy Terry.
Two Northland theatre companies are celebrating after scooping a handful of awards at the Northern Area Performance Awards [Napta] proving “there is life in theatre north of Ōrewa”.
Kerikeri Theatre Company won two major awards and Whangārei Theatre Company won three at the event which recognises excellence, talent, anddedication in amateur, non-profit theatre productions across the Northern Region of New Zealand.
The awards ceremony was held at the Auckland Crowne Plaza on February 28.
Kerikeri Theatre Company was nominated for an unprecedented six Napta awards across several categories for its God of Carnage production, which ran at the Black Box Theatre in May.
“It includes all of the Auckland community theatres, and because it’s the country’s biggest city, it’s got a heck of a lot.
“It was something we were all completely unprepared for.
“For Kerikeri Theatre Company, this is so great.”
As well as Thonger and Hackett, other cast and crew members were producer Alan Thomas, actors Teresa Morrison, Dave Stearns and Shaun Clarke, and stage manager Judy Terry.
Thonger said she was particularly proud of the Outstanding Play award which was up against four other productions, including three from the Company Theatre and one from the Playhouse Theatre, both from Auckland. ,
“It meant everyone had done something extra which made the judges think that clearly, this was the best out of all the plays we’ve seen.”
Whangārei Theatre Company was nominated for a whopping 12 Napta awards.
Whangarei Theatre Company won three Napta awards including two for Aladdin Jr.
On the big night it won three awards including Outstanding Youth Production for Aladdin Jr, along with Outstanding Costume Design thanks to Gina Kitchen and her mum Helen Gatman.
Whangārei Theatre Company also won the Judges Special Recognition Award for “putting the community into community theatre”, president Barbara Trimmer said.
“I’d never directed before, Alan had never produced a show, done lighting, built a set or done the sound for a theatre show.”
She was also happy for her Whangārei counterparts.
“Northland is now really on the theatre map.”
Jenny Ling is a senior journalist at the Northern Advocate. She has a special interest in covering human interest stories, along with finance, roading, and social issues.
