LORD OF THE FLIES

Centrepoint, Palmerston North

15/07/2017 - 05/08/2017

Production Details



NO ADULTS. NO RULES. NO MERCY. 

A plane crashes on a deserted island. The only survivors are a group of schoolkids. By day, it’s a tropical paradise of sun and sea; but each night, their dreams are haunted by a terrifying beast. Thrust into a teenage version of Survivor, before long this well-behaved group turns into a bloodthirsty and murderous tribe. 

William Golding’s 20th century classic explodes onto the stage in our next Open Stage production. Led by a dynamic and fearless cast of professional young actors, and supported by members of the Manawatu community, this acclaimed adaptation is guaranteed to grip from start to finish.

“UNMISSABLE… NOTHING LESS THAN A TRIUMPH
★★★★★ — DAILY TELEGRAPH  

Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North
15 JUL – 5 AUG 2017
Wednesday:  6.30pm
Thursday, Friday, Saturday:  8pm
Sunday:  5pm
[Preview Night ($25) Friday 14 July]
Opening Night:  Saturday 15 July
Post-Show Q+A: Wednesday 19 July

TICKETS
Adult:  Full$40; Earlybird $32
Group (6+):  Full $36; Earlybird $30
Concession*:  Full$32; Earlybird $26
Student:  Full$20; Earlybird $16
*Seniors (60+), under-30s, and Community Services Card holders. Valid I.D. is required. 

BUY TICKETS


PERFORMANCE
Michiel van Echten
Ella Hope-Higginson
Nathan Mudge
Comfrey Sanders
Leighton Stichbury

With:  Olivia Costello, Finn Davidson, Jeremy Hunt, Madeleine James, Maizy Kingsford-Brown, Rachel McLean, and members of Basement Company 2017

DESIGN
Costumes:  Hayley Douglas
Sound:  Josh Finegan
Lighting:  Talya Pilcher
Set:  Theo Wijnsma 


Youth , Theatre ,


2 hrs, including interval

Enthralling

Review by Alexandra Bellad-Ellis 16th Jul 2017

A plane load of refugees fleeing the effects of war crashes onto an uninhabited desert island. The only survivors are a group of children, the oldest among them only in their early teens. In the absence of adults the children try to organize themselves to wait for rescue, as tales of a beast lurking in the dark start spreading. As time passes the darker side of humanity begins to emerge as the children battle against the beast. But is the beast real, or is it just a dark part of the human heart?

All the actors are worthy of note, playing their parts well and flowing with the action around them. In particular, Michiel van Echten’s Ralph beautifully shows the journey the young confident natural leader takes as his world slowly crumbles around him. Ella Hope-Higginson does a great job capturing the bossy, faintly power hungry Jack, desperately clinging to the leadership she has usurped. And Leighton Stichbury’s Piggy is a delight, funny, likable, a little naive. It is his voice that is the voice of democracy and he makes an excellent foil for Ralph. Also worthy of mention are Comfrey Sanders’ misunderstood Simon, and Nathan Mudge’s psychopathic Roger.

The set, designed by Theo Wijnsma, is amazing: a real beach with rocky outcrops sweeping from one side of the theatre to the other. There is also a slightly creepy prop suspended above part of the audience, making the audience part of the stage, rather than set apart from it. The action takes place in several locations, meaning that the audience does not have to spend too long staring in the same direction.

Working in the traverse is hard, and sight lines can be an issue where tall set pieces are involved. This show does a good job of dealing with this difficult layout, making the stage feel bigger than it is. The set and costumes also change to mark the passage of time, which is a really nice touch.

The set and costumes also change to mark the passage of time, which is a really nice touch. Costuming (by Hayley Douglas) consists of school uniforms that slowly degrade overtime, blurring the lines between the tribes. The lighting (designed by Talya Pilche is simple, using basic changes to mark the passage of time, or a fire. There is also the judicial use of a smoke machine. Josh Finegan’s sound design augments the action effectively.

Many of us will have indifferent memories of the book after studying it at high school. But this production rises above that to present a strongly acted, enthralling piece of theatre that is well worth a trip out in the cold for.

The Lord of the Flies was originally written by William Golding in 1954. This adaptation for the stage by Nigel Williams was premiered by the Royal Shakespeare Company in 1996. 

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