Hot on the heels of five sold-out shows of the Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)in January, director Anton Bentley is taking on his next challenge – directing two shows at the same time – Metamorphosis and Woyzeck – for the Nelson Fringe Festival.
“They’re a bit out-of-the-box, a bit fringey, a mix of comedy and tragedy with a bit of song thrown in for good measure, but definitely fun and really interesting,” Anton says.
Stepping up to the challenge with him are actors Michaela Sheehan, Mike O’Malley and Keith Marshall, who have also taken on both shows. But this doesn’t mean two characters each – in Metamorphosis the threesome are taking on 13 roles, and in Woyzeck they’re taking on 18 roles.
“It’s a bit daunting learning so many different roles, so many different characterisations, and so many lines,” says Michaela. “But I’m loving being back together with Mike, Keith and Anton again.”
The dynamic foursome have wowed audiences before, having performed together in Bananaruma, which won audience favourite at the 2016 Nelson Fringe Festival. They then reunited for Nelson Musical Theatre’s production of You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown.
Michaela, who is a Broadgreen Intermediate teacher who also teaches musical theatre and singing, says “it’s great to be back at the Fringe Festival again. It’s good to role model stepping outside of your comfort zone and taking on new challenges. I’m really enjoying playing some very flawed, very unusual, very quirky characters.”
Metamorphosis tells us the story of Gregor Samsa – a normal man. He has a normal job, a normal family, lives in a normal house, and has normal dreams … until the day he wakes up to discover that he’s turned into a giant insect.
“It’s a brilliantly fresh take on Kafka’s classic novel,” says Anton. “It demands quite a lot of the cast, physically and vocally, using chorus and sign language and undertaking multiple roles, with a little bit of audience interaction thrown in.”
Woyzeck tells the story of a lowly soldier who agrees to become a medical experiment – but is it his diet of peas that leads him into the forest with a knife, or the rumours of what his wife has been doing with the peacocking Drum Major?
“It’s equal parts Brecht and Monty Python,” says Anton. “It’s hilarious and horrific, wicked and witty, brilliant and brutal, energetic and eratic. As well as bringing the characters to life they also create music and sound effects live, while bringing the fast-paced story to life.”
Metamorphosis is on 23, 25 & 28 March and Woyzeckis on 24, 26 & 29 March. Both plays are on at 6pm at the Red Door Theatre. For more information and tickets go to nelsonfringe.co.nz.
By Judene Edgar
