Role offers rare indulgence

Ali Harper is bring her show Bombshells to Rotorua.

There's been a fair bit of life experience notched up since Ali Harper first took to the stage in Bombshells.

But the award-winning actress reckons it's only made her a better performer as she starts touring the show for the second time, which will include Rotorua on October 9.

Having just finished performing on the nationwide tour of Pirates of Penzance, Harper admits taking to the stage on her own in the one-woman play will be different but she is relishing the idea.

Bombshells follows the story of six modern women in love and life - from the feisty teenager to a beleaguered mother of two to a 64-year-old widow who re-awakens an appetite for the unexpected.

For Harper, it's that variety of tales that appeals and she believes the life experience she's gained since performing the show in 2007 - including now being a mum of two boys - helps her to "get" the role even more.

"I really enjoy doing solo shows and this one is so well written."

She describes it as "a real life look at how amazing women are".

Harper said the beauty of the show was the audience could always relate to one of the six women portrayed and often the characters reminded them of someone they knew.

"It's amazing how many come to see Bombshells and recognise these women."

While the show follows the sagas of modern women, Harper said it's important to have a few blokes in the audience and there's a bit of audience participation.

Each woman's story takes about 20 minutes to portray with Harper getting changed on stage into the next character.

She said there was a sense of excitement with each character change as she launched into something new.

"It's like 'Oh yay, here we go'."

One of her favourite characters is the older American actress who comes to New Zealand to perform. Harper described it as "a real treat" to be so indulgent.

"I look forward to each character. Some are more energetic than others and it's a real breath of fresh air."

Bombshells starring Ali Harper is on at the Rotorua Convention Centre on Wednesday October 9. Tickets are available from Ticketmaster.