Costly to stage musicals for Hawera Repertory

Cast members, including Bergen Raikes and Krystal Leuthard, have been rehearsing in readiness for the play

Time is running out tobuy discounted tickets to Hawera's upcoming musical fairytale Beauty and the Beast.

Early bird prices end on Monday, April 1. Director Samantha Turner says people often wondered how much major productions cost Hawera Repertory Society to stage.

"In the case of 2017's Beauty and the Beast, it's going to be over $100,000," she says. "The director controls all the artistic content of the show and the society supplies heads of department and all production requirements."

It can take up to two years for a budget to be accepted, ticket price set and the show dates confirmed.

Beauty and the Beast will be on the Hawera Memorial Theatre stage from May 25 to June 3. About four to five months before the show, auditions are held. The 50 performers began rehearsing alongside show stars Krystal Leuthard (Belle) and Bergen Raikes (Beast) in January and were required to commit three nights every week.

"Casting successfully is one of the major hurdles. Once we've done that we have to pay advance royalties even though we haven't sold any tickets yet."

Musical director Shaun Campbell says the effort put in to set construction, wardrobe design, advertising and orchestral development is a crucial component ensuring the production is ready on time.

"About three weeks before opening, rehearsals move the theatre and we add in the lighting, sound and set pieces," he says. "There can be up to 120 people at the theatre every night, including cast and crew."

"All ages - preschool through to senior citizens - will enjoy the songs, the dancing and the chance to get lost in a fairytale."

Tickets from Ticket Direct www.ticketdirect.co.nz and South Taranaki i-Site.