The Star: September 08, 2016

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Thursday September 8 2016 35
Theatre/Arts
Three actors – six roles
Teechers
Created by John Godber
Directed by Derek
Doddington
Reviewed by Georgia
O’Connor-Harding
YOU WOULD think only
having three performers in an
entire play would be rather
ho-hum.
But not in this
case, with the leading
roles bursting onto
stage to produce
a highly energetic
performance.
Top Dog Theatre’s
comedy Teechers came
across exactly how it
was planned. It took audiences
on a journey of a typical high
school.
What was quirky about the
show was the three performers,
Jay Versteeg, Nikki Bleyendall
and Dan Crossen, who played
about six different characters
each, switching roles on stage
and making only minor
costume changes.
The typical school bully, a
boy who never does physical
education and another who tells
‘There is not a
dull moment and
director Derek
Doddington has
put together a
marvellous play’
on everyone, through to the
pompous drama teacher – every
classic school character features
in this show.
And in spite of the play being
set in the 1980s, and in the
poorer part of England, it is
relevant today, creating a feeling
of nostalgia over days causing
mischief for teachers at school
while going through the crazy
adolescent
transition.
Teechers is
a play within
a play, based
around three
students in
their final years
of school who
put on a play for their fellow
dramatists.
It centres around Mr Nixon
– played by Dan Crossen – who
ignited the students’ passion for
the stage with his idealism and
belief that all students should be
treated equally.
On a more serious note, there
was a strong message coming
through that all education
should be undertaken by caring
and engaged teachers no matter
what school you go to.
HILARIOUS: Nikki Bleyendall and Dan Crossen in Top Dog
Theatre’s latest production of Teechers.
It is particularly relevant
to Christchurch, where what
school you go to seems to almost
define your personality.
The Gloucester Room,
where the show is staged, is a
small building which provides a
rather intimate background for
the show.
The lighting by Darryl Cribb
stood out, giving life to the bare
classroom setting. The colourful
strobe lights frequently used
brought life to the show by
creating a party atmosphere.
There is not a dull moment
and director Derek Doddington
has put together a marvellous
play that is relatable to anyone
no matter what school they went
to.
Teechers is running through to
September 10 with an extended
show on Saturday at 4pm.
To book tickets, go to http://
premier.ticketek.co.nz/
In Brief
PUSS IN BOOTS
The Court Theatre will put
on a musical production of
Puss In Boots for the school
holidays later this month.
The adaptation, written by
Georgia-Kate Heard, tells the
story of shoemaker Dave, who
is in love with Princess Grace.
Performances will run from
September 28 to October 8.
To book tickets, go to https://
courttheatre.org.nz/
SPRING PERFORMANCE
To celebrate spring, Risingholme
Community Centre singers
will present their show Spring
Is In The Air. The show will be
directed by Khin Wee Chen.
For more information, email
jwillmott@xtra.co.nz
EVITA
Showbiz Christchurch’s latest
production of Evita will be
staged at the Isaac Theatre
Royal from next Thursday. It is
directed by Stephen Robertson.
The musical takes audiences on
a journey through Eva Duarte’s
life. She became Eva Peron,
the wife of Argentine president
Juan Peron. The production
will run from September 15 to
October 1. To book tickets, go
to http://premier.ticketek.co.nz/
Featuring 10 times
national champions
Christchurch City Chorus
and friends for a concert of
world-class a cappella singing,
dancing & jazz!
Saturday 17th September
Charles Luney Auditorium
St Margaret’s College
2pm & 7.30pm
Tickets $25
For tickets visit www.ccchorus.co.nz
email lovetosing@ccchorus.co.nz
or call 022 689 9745