Play On brings entertainment and giving together for the Rotorua community

Simone Walker, co-founder of Big Picture Minor Deets and play reader, at Abracadabra where the PLAY ON events are held. Photo/Shauni James

A humorous take on Christmas Eve in a shopping mall is the latest offering in the Play On play reading series, along with a chance to make a difference in the community.

As well as providing an entertaining night out at Abracadabra, next week's event is an opportunity for audience members to donate to the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army Christmas Foodbank Appeal.

Run by local creative arts company, Big Picture Minor Deets, Play On is a monthly event which sees New Zealand plays read out loud by local performers.

Each month, audience members pay a koha donation to attend the play readings, and for December, they are invited to bring along non-perishable food items that Big Picture Minor Deets will pass on to the annual foodbank drive.

Photo/File

Simone Walker, co-founder of Big Picture Minor Deets, says she is looking forward to sharing the festive-themed play with audience members, and hopes for a repeat of the audience's generosity, which last year saw more than 100 items donated to the Foodbank Appeal.

"Over the past 14 months we've been blown away by the support of Rotorua locals who head along to see these play readings.

"Last December, we threw our support behind the Rotorua Daily Post Salvation Army Christmas Foodbank Appeal and our audience was super generous with bringing along non-perishables, as well as a whole bunch of cash that we passed on to the Salvation Army.

"The Play On series is a way to showcase New Zealand plays and as our readers are not rehearsed and have their scripts in hand, the whole thing is designed to be very casual and informal.

"Abracadabra is a fantastic spot for dinner and drinks, and with some live theatre thrown in, and all for a good cause, it makes for a great night out."

This month's event, happening on Tuesday December 19 at 7pm, will see three women - Katherine Beijeman, Simone Walker and Jennifer Wicks - bring to life the story of staff at the Waterview mall, in the play Talent by Gabe McDonnell.