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“COSÌ”
” Così “
by Louis Nowra
Directed by Warren Bates
27th November – 7th December 2024
It’s art, it’s total mayhem, it’s shocking, it can be strong in its language, and it’s a wonderful roller coaster all the way to opening night. A heartfelt (dark) comedy that is inspiring to witness; despite their individual psychiatric illnesses, theatre gave them a purpose; resulting in joyful comradery.
Set in a Melbourne psychiatric facility, Così is a play about friendship, romance, infidelity and difference. It’s 1971 and Australia is protesting the war in Vietnam. But inside the asylum, the inmates are listening to Mozart, learning their lines and occasionally skipping their medication.
With a group of only six psychiatric patients to work with one musician (when he’s not passed out on the piano), a distinct lack of a translated libretto, and literally no directing experience, Lewis somehow manages to wrangle this rather motley ensemble into a cast which successfully presents Cosi Fan Tutte to the world – well, their version of it anyway!
Online Bookings ONLY
Need help with your ticket purchase? Contact 0210 887 7075
Please be advised: This production has strong language and themes.
May not be suitable for children under 12 yrs old
Così is a backstage farce that follows the misadventures of a group of asylum inmates who are putting on a play – a production of Mozart’s opera Così Fan Tutte, despite the fact that none of them can sing or speak Italian!
Highly acclaimed as one of the funniest Australian plays to be written in the last few decades; you’d be MAD to miss Così!
27 November – 7 December 2024
Meet the Così Cast
Joining the Cast of Cosi, 23 year old Pipa takes on the role of the straight-shooting, and perhaps insensitive Lucy. It’s actually Pipa’s birthday today, so it’s extra special that today is all about her!
Since 2018 Pipa has trained with West Coast Youth Theatre, focusing on film and theatre techniques, and has done several short films and performances for them. Her last appearance for WCYT was in 2022 as Constable Goodone in ‘The Road that Wasn’t There’. Also that year, she took on the role of Vickie Martin in ‘The Thrill of Love’ for New Plymouth Little Theatre.
Pipa is a new face to Cue, and after a little break from being in any big productions, is super excited to get back on the stage. Happy Birthday Pipa, we can’t wait to see your debut at Cue!
Emily grew up immersing herself in the arts. Speech and drama, dancing, and musical theatre all featured prominently. Her most recent role, was playing Frenchie in the Hospice production of Grease in 2010. However, since then, Emily took a 15-year hiatus from the stage while living overseas, mostly in London.
Having now returned to New Zealand, Emily is looking forward to getting back into the theatre. She is particularly excited about being cast in Cosi, after seeing it with her mum and sisters in the early 2000s, and says it’s a play that holds special meaning for her.
Emily takes on the role of Ruth, a patient who struggles to separate illusion from reality, which becomes especially challenging when working in the theatre.
25 year old Bailey Thompson, is fairly new to the theatre scene. His first play outside of drama classes and school productions was New Plymouth Little Theatre‘s ‘Twas the Fight Before Christmas’ where he played the gullible and easily manipulated Desmond.
Less than 12 months later, Bailey is thrilled to be back on the stage, this time for his Cue Theatre debut! He is excited to learn from Director Warren Bates, and the other talented cast members.
Having mostly played comedic parts previously, Bailey is ready to take on a more complex character in Cosi. Justin is a social worker in the asylum, but shows little understanding to his patients, representing the connotation of society’s negativity toward the mentally ill.
Becky McEwan is a name that perhaps many will recognise. She’s the local girl that’s come full circle! Her drama training began at 9 years of age, right here in Taranaki at Warren Bates’ Stage Centre. After High School, she moved on to South Seas Film and Television School, gaining a Diploma in Screen Acting, and experience in many short films.
Becky was cast in the NZ television drama series ‘Filthy Rich’ in 2015, completing two seasons. This was followed by perhaps her most recognisable role, as Tess Hutchinson in ‘Shortland Street’ from 2019-2022. Now back in Taranaki, Becky has taken on her most important role to date, being a stay at home mum.
She is honoured to be part of the cast of Cosi, and is looking forward to the challenge of performing on stage again, something she hasn’t done in around 12 years. Becky says Cosi is a beautiful play, with the perfect mix of humour and heart, and she is excited to share it with you.
Josh was born and bred in Taranaki. He has had a love of theatre since he was a child, and has amassed over 25 years of acting experience in various productions across all of the local theatres.
His debut for Cue, was in ’12 Angry Jurors’ in November 2023, and since then Josh has done back-to-back shows, with ‘Burning Bridges’ for Cue in April, ‘Jersey Boys’ for New Plymouth Operatic Society in July, and most recently, was the Acting Coach for the Spotswood College production of ‘Legally Blonde’ which was great fun!
Josh is loving Cosi, where he is playing dual roles, and enjoying the challenge of developing two characters. “Both are tremendous fun, but in very different ways”.
20-year old Logan Fawkner began his performance training in 2018 when he attended the Taranaki Performing Arts Conference. He has continued his learning ever since, with West Coast Youth Theatre and Screen Acting workshops with Linda McFetridge, Karlos Ruakere and Holly Shanahan.
In 2020 he was cast in the Jane Campion Netflix film, The Power of the Dog, which was his favourite project to date. Last on stage in 2022 in ‘The Road that Wasn’t There’ for WCYT, Logan is excited to be treading the boards again in his debut for Cue, and is working Director Warren Bates for the first time.
Of his Cosi character, Logan says he enjoys the abruptness and unpredictability of pyromaniac Doug, and especially how the other characters react to him!
42yr old Kent thrives in the contagious enthusiasm of every production he is part of. He describes himself as a character actor, and loves to inject personal flair and attitude into the roles he takes on.
You may know him as Juror #3 in ‘12 Angry Jurors’ (Cue Theatre), Trekkie Monster in ‘Avenue Q’ (4th Wall Theatre), Grantaire in ‘Les Misérables’ (NPOS) or Growltiger in ‘Cats’ (Wellington Musical Theatre). With gratitude for family and friends’ support and guidance, Kent doesn’t hold back onstage, backstage, in rehearsal, or in the green room!
We are excited to see his portrayal of the timid and subservient Henry, and his growth throughout the play
Monique Matthews is no stranger to the stage, having several previous appearances in New Plymouth Operatic Society productions – most recently ‘We Will Rock You’ in 2023. Also that year, Monique played Juror 2 in Cue Theatre’s ’12 Angry Jurors’.
Cosi marks Monique’s fourth show working with Director Warren Bates, and she is enjoying being part of his cast once again. She says Cosi is a story about people who, at first glance, seem different and unrelatable. But, as you get to know the characters, you start to see that despite their struggles, they may not be quite so different, giving an appreciation to the humanness that connects us all.
Keegan has a strong theatre background, having studied at The John Bolton Theatre School. His training has seen him successfully cast in a variety of roles, including touring with the Ugly Shakespeare Company, performing at secondary schools and Arts Festivals throughout New Zealand.
Locally, Keegan has appeared in a variety of productions including ‘Yours Truly’ for West Coast Youth Theatre, and ‘The Vicar of Dibley’ for NP Repertory Society. For NPOS he has appeared as Boq the Munchkin in ‘Wicked’, Michael Wormwood in ‘Matilda’, and earlier this year, took on the role of Joey Pesci in ‘Jersey Boys’.
Keegan says he has had a blast rehearsing for Cosi so far, and is enjoying the dark humour. He is looking forward to performing Roy, and hopes audiences will love him and hate him all at the same time!
Graduating with a Diploma for Acting Screen Performance & Skills in 2013 at South Seas Film & Television School, Jharaiz worked on numerous short films, before landing a guest role on Australian soap Neighbours, followed by feature film Danger Close filmed in Queensland’s far north.
Back in New Zealand, he was a core cast member on Shortland Street from 2019 to 2021, playing the much-loved character of Prince Kimiora, and working alongside his wife, actor Becky McEwan who is also part of the cast of Cosi.
Jharaiz is super excited about his debut at Cue. “It’s a beautiful venue, and I can feel the history that is seeped into the building” he says. While not new to acting, Jay is new to the theatre, and is learning a lot from his talented cast mates and Director Warren Bates.