An ambiguous title for Remarkable Theatre’s latest performance
A Relatively Uneventful Evening is the name for Remarkable Theatre’s latest production, however you can expect anything but. The play was written by Kiwi playwright George Arthur and the show will run for nine days from 5 September at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall.
All parties involved are pretty tight-lipped on what to expect, not wanting to give too much away. The farce will be fast-paced, funny, and very entertaining, despite the fact that it’s “not the most exciting title,” as director Jay Simon puts it. The play will follow the evening of a small group of close but highly dysfunctional friends, at dinner party.
“Everyone can relate to this evening – the madness of an evening starting out very polite,” says Amelia Glydon, the show’s production manager. “So even when there are quarrels in between the friendship group or within lovers, everyone just starts out super polite. Then after the booze and the food comes in, you see our human nature just starts unravelling and people get really messy and really start messing up, and the anger grows and the frustration.”
Jay Simon is the director and has had an extensive career on stage and screen. He recently finished a film shot in the UK called A Mother for an Hour, and can be seen in the Netflix comedy shot in Dunedin The Royal Treatment. He now hails from Wānaka and has an appreciation for the theatre scene on this side of the Crown Range. His priority in bringing the show to life is to give people a laugh and some fun. He’s been working with Remarkable Theatre for the past 12 years, since he arrived in New Zealand from the UK.
“I was particularly keen on this play because it is comedy, albeit a dark comedy. It’s very fast action and very entertaining,” Simon says. “What’s unique about it is, for once, the four main parts are female. It’s not very often that you get a play that’s really written for women and the men are almost supporting. However, having said that, it’s an ensemble piece and everyone gets their moments, a lot of laughter and everyone gets a chance to really shine in it.”
Actor Okyere got involved with Remarkable Theatre after participating in the Pint-Sized Plays 2024, where his group came in second. He was excited to do more in theatre and will play Sinclair, a handsome, French outdoorsy man who is in a relationship with another character at the dinner party. Okyere shares his character’s traits – he’s originally from Paris and will be acting entirely in English for the first time.
“It was challenging in the beginning, but I love a challenge. I feel like this is how you grow and evolve as a real human being. You have to be out of your comfort zone and I’m actually learning a lot.”
There are only eight actors on stage, but each bring big charisma and energy. Okyere explains that he got to learn a lot from each of the characters as well as the crew.
“We just want people to come and enjoy the night with us because we’re really enjoying it – we want to share that enjoyment,” he says.
In addition to working on the shows, Glydon has been pulling together two workshops that take much of what she’s learnt working in theatre in the UK and brings it to New Zealand.
“If you want to give yourself a push and go a bit rogue, or really challenge yourself, sign up and go see the show. I just know people won’t regret it because I know they’re going to be so much fun – they’re all so new that I think the whole thing will be unexpected, but I think the result is worth going to all three.”
Remarkable Theatre’s A Relatively Uneventful Evening will run from 5-14 September at Arrowtown Athenaeum Hall. Amelia Glydon’s acting workshop will be held this Saturday, 24 August, at Te Atamira, and her improvisation workshop will be on Saturday, 21 September, Remarkable Theatre rehearsal studio. You can find out more about getting involved, grab tickets or book in for the workshops at remarkabletheatre.co.nz – tickets can also be found at https://www.eventfinda.co.nz/2024/a-relatively-uneventful-evening/arrowtown
