[New Zealand] Play lifts curtain on poverty

from Times Newspapers Online

The play performs March 14, 15 and 16 at 7.30pm in the Macleans College Auditorium, $2 door sales. Organisers say the play contains sensitive issues and isn’t recommended for children under 14.

COPING with poverty is a theme now well understood by some Macleans College students, who are about to perform Children of the Poor.

The play opens the school’s annual season of performances and was chosen to coincide with the World Vision 40 Hour Famine.

Written by New Zealand playwright Mervyn Thompson, the play’s based on John A Lee’s novel of the same name and deals with the effects of poverty on a New Zealand family at the turn of the 20th century.

Head of drama Janet Jennings says the young cast members have taken the issues of the play to heart and a collection for World Vision will be taken at the three performances.

“Our students are very privileged themselves and this production has raised their awareness of the needs of others.”

The theme of this year’s 40 Hour Famine is ‘Spread the Word – child labour doesn’t work’, emphasising the effect child and bonded labour has on children in developing countries.

Show director and drama teacher Jane Luton says the cast began work on the project during the January holiday. The students have well developed skills and all contributed ideas to shape the production,” she says.

Ms Jennings is pleased the pupils linked the play to a World Vision theme and is delighted with the troupe’s quality of work and dedication. “These students are working at a high level and I recommend this production to any people who support the arts in our community.”

The play performs March 14, 15 and 16 at 7.30pm in the Macleans College Auditorium, $2 door sales. Organisers say the play contains sensitive issues and isn’t recommended for children under 14.