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TAKING OFF
by ROGER HALL - David Ertel, Director
October 29th - November 9th 2008
WITH APRIL KRIJGER, VALDA HINZ, NOREEN HOBO AND CATHY MORRIS
Four women, Four reasons,Four stories to tell -
Proving it is never too late for your own
BIG ADVENTURE
This is a sharply funny and insightful tale from New Zealand’s favourite playwright, Roger Hall. “Give me a ticket for an airplane, cause I ain’t got time to take a fast train.” An adventure story with a difference “Taking Off” will certainly stir the memories of anyone who has ever ‘done’ Britain and the continent – or simply wished they had! It is the story of four women who set out, perhaps a little later in life than most, on their BIG OE.
There has long been a custom in England and on the Continent, for young people, when they finish their formal education, to take a year off to gain worldly wisdom and experience. Variously known as the Grand Tour, or ‘a year’s wandering’ or ‘a gap year’, the practice is still popular and widespread. Fifty years or so ago, students graduating from training college, many of them women, set off overseas. Some did not permanently return but married and started new lives in many parts of the world.
Recently, it seems that those most feeling the need for a change have been women who seek the opportunity and have motivation to venture forth later in life. One such was Viva Bone of New Plymouth, who upon returning from her OE, saw the potential for a theatrical presentation of the experience. She discussed the idea with a friend, Roger Hall. At first the result was a set of four monologues by four characters, but later this was transformed into the script we now have with the stories interwoven.
Viva told David about her involvement soon after we began work on this production and we had hopes of meeting with her and hearing firsthand of her adventures – she was such a vibrant personality this would have been invaluable. Sadly this was not be and she passed away just as rehearsals were getting underway. This production was dedicated to her and all our fellow players who are no longer with us.
