After a year of development, Nelson playwright Justin Eade is ready to bring his latest comedy, The Blunderstudy, to the stage.
The new play will be performed at the Suter Theatre from 3-5 September under the direction of Giles Burton, with a cast featuring Donna Botha, Douglas Brooks, Nick Kemplen, Naomi Strain, Trish Sullivan and Cameron West.
Justin says, he has been fortunate to assemble the ideal team to bring the production to life.
“I have been lucky enough to get a great director and a stellar cast of some of Nelson’s best theatre actors.”
Set in London's West End during the 1980s, The Blunderstudy follows struggling theatre director Martin Quincannon, who finally gets his big break by casting renowned actor Richard Pryce.
But when Richard dies before the first rehearsal, his twin brother Karl, a degenerate gambler and drinker who has never set foot on a stage, must step into the role to preserve his brother's legacy.
“It’s a fun concept,” Justin explains.
But beneath the mayhem are some more serious themes.
“It’s a play about finding your tribe and being yourself… and letting go of what you thought something was going to be.”
Justin completed the first draft about a year ago and a staged reading of the script at last year’s Fringe Festival gave him the opportunity to refine it.
For Justin, the production is also a chance to showcase original local theatre.
“There are few fully locally originated shows,” he says. “Big touring shows tend to dominate… but this is going to be a really good laugh, with some really skilful actors.”
Justin has written dozens of feature-length film scripts and multiple full-length plays. His work has earned recognition in New Zealand and overseas, including winning the Kairos Prize for screenwriting in Los Angeles. He has also written for television and radio and produced award-winning short films.
Since 2015, he has staged 18 theatre productions of his own work as a writer, producer and sometimes director.
The Blunderstudy will be staged on Thursday, 3 September and Friday, 4 September at 7pm, and Saturday, 5 September at 2pm and 7pm. Tickets are $30 from TryBooking or $35 at the door.
