For primary and intermediate schools Term 2 and 3 2013 (NZ and Australia*):

The Big Sad Wolf

By Greg Cooper

Term 2 and 3 2013

Don't believe everything you read. If you thought the Big Bad Wolf was all about blowing down houses, eating grannies, and being big and bad...think again! This hilarious 'mash-up' of all your favourite fairy tales, featuring Red Riding Hood, The Three Little Pigs, Goldilocks and many more, will tell the true story of this sorry, star-crossed sheep in wolf's clothing.

Suitable for ages 5 to 13, this brand new play by our popular writer Greg Cooper will have your whole school (teachers included) thoroughly entertained... and I would go so far as to say thoroughly educated too.

Speaking of education - as always, we'll be putting together some resources with multi-age ideas to help teachers out that would like to prepare for the play or follow up after the play with their class.

South Island - Term 2
North Island - Term 3
Melbourne/Tasmania* - Term 2

Ticket price $4.50 (minimum fee $630)
Early bird discount (book before 31 Dec 2012) $4 (minimum fee $600)

Teaching resources available in term 1, 2013

*Subject to demand

For high schools and intermediate schools 2013 (NZ and Australia*):

Shakespeare: As You Write It

Devised by Brendon Bennetts

Term 1, 2013

Back by popular demand. (With a super-duper fresh coat of paint to keep it new for our 2011 As You Write It audiences.)

Shakespeare: As You Write It is a hilarious improvised tribute to the plays of William Shakespeare.

Three of New Zealand's most experienced improvisers will collaborate with the audience to create a brand new Shakespeare play.

To achieve this they will have to look under the hood with the audience and see what makes Shakespeare tick.

What makes a tragedy a tragedy? A comedy a comedy?

To build a new play we must first understand the building blocks that Shakespeare used. Scenes, similes, soliloquies, and sword fights. Poetry, prose, and iambic pentameter. All mixed together in a witches' brew of improvisation. All but one hour's traffic on your stage.

Shakespeare: As You Write It

• Introduces and explores many elements and techniques that Shakespeare used Explores Shakespeare's theatrical world, recreates the obstacles Shakespeare faced and tackles them
• Demonstrates advanced improvisation techniques
• Is adaptable to suit the actual age range and prior Shakespeare knowledge of any audience and is possibly one of the most entertaining and inspiring ways of introducing (or re-introducing) Shakespeare, acting and improvised theatre.

NZ - Term 1 2013
Melbourne/Tasmania* - Term 1 2013
Ticket price $4.50 (minimum fee $630)
Early bird discount (book before 31 Dec 2012) $4 (minimum fee $600)

Teaching resources available in term 1, 2013

*Subject to demand

For primary and intermediate schools Term 2 and 3 2012:

Phone a Friend

Written by Greg Cooper

Directed by Elsie Edgerton-Till

Term 2 and 3 2012

Phone A Friend is a hilarious mad mash-up of WALL-E, E.T with a smattering of 3G and will feature the craziest costume ever unleashed on New Zealand schools since the infamous Bionic Bunny from 2010's Old McDonald Had A Farm! As always audience interaction will be a must and two versions will be rehearsed to make sure all age ranges are thoroughly engaged and entertained.

The show is written specifically for primary/intermediate years 0-8 and serves as a fantastic foundation for children who aren't yet totally caught up in our increasingly technology crazed world, but soon will be. Whilst it acts as a great platform for further classroom discussion on technology, it is primarily a captivating and fun story that promises to have every primary age group laughing (including the teachers!)

South Island - Term 2
North Island - Term 3

Ticket price $4.50 (minimum fee $630)

Teaching resources available in April 2012

Click here for more information...

For primary schools and intermediate schools Term 1 2012:

The Snow White Emergency

Written by Brendon Bennetts
Directed by Greg Cooper

Term 1 2012

Chris and Sam have got their work cut out for them. The cast of Snow White haven't turned up, the set and costumes have disappeared, and the audience is waiting for a show! Against all odds, our two heroes will stage the play themselves using a a dash of ingenuity and a lot of help from the audience. Snow White is a celebration of storytelling, fun, and invention that is sure to leave you feeling happy...not grumpy.

Ticket price NZ $3.50 (minimum fee $600) NZD
Aus $4.50 (minimum fee $680) AUD

Teaching resources available January 2012

For high schools Term 1 2012:

The Complete Works of Homer (abridged)

Written by Brendon Bennetts
Directed by Greg Cooper

Term 1 2012

The Iliad and the Odyssey, composed approximately 3000 years ago, are still two of the most influential works of western literature. But who has time to actually read them? Well...we do! Join us as we take Homer's tales of epic battles, interfering gods, and fantastical journeys, retelling the epic saga in under an hour... with only two actors. Zeus help us!

Ticket price $3.50 (minimum fee $600) NZD
Aus $4.50 (minimum fee $680) AUD

Teaching resources available January 2012

For primary schools and intermediate schools 2011:

The Great Rugby Robbery

Written and directed by Greg Cooper

Terms 2 and 3, 2011

The Great Rugby Robbery is the must-see show for 2011.

Written by Greg Cooper especially for this tour, the play introduces Rugby World Cup and some of its history. Riana - a young rugby hopeful - is accidentally entangled in the evil plot of some fed-up former French rugby players (from the RWC 1987 Final) to sabotage the RWC 2011 Final. Ooh la la! Can Riana save the Webb Ellis Cup from the French? Can she help the All Blacks win Rugby World Cup 2011? Can she do both before the final whistle of this 60 minute pantomime?

This play will provide more content for discussion in the classroom than ever, but, as always, we promise to have the teachers laughing as much as the students.

Click here for more information...

For high schools and intermediate schools 2011:

Shakespeare: As You Write It

Devised by Brendon Bennetts

Term 1, 2011

Shakespeare: As You Write It is a hilarious improvised tribute to the plays of William Shakespeare.

Three of New Zealand's most experienced improvisers will collaborate with the audience to create a brand new Shakespeare play.

To achieve this they will have to look under the hood with the audience and see what makes Shakespeare tick.

What makes a tragedy a tragedy? A comedy a comedy?

To build a new play we must first understand the building blocks that Shakespeare used. Scenes, similes, soliloquies, and sword fights. Poetry, prose, and iambic pentameter. All mixed together in a witches' brew of improvisation. All but one hour's traffic on your stage.

Click here for more information...

For primary schools 2010:

Old McDonald (versus the Bionic Bouncing Bunny)

Written and directed by Greg Cooper

Terms 2 and 3, 2010

Old McDonald's going broke. E-I-I-O-U.

From the writer of Cinderella (New Zealand Playhouse 2009 tour) comes 55 minutes of new adventures with Old McDonald. It hasn't rained on Old McDonald's farm in six months and he's sold most of his animals just to pay his bills. But what's the point in being Old McDonald if you haven't got any animals?

With three actors playing nine characters, there is plenty of material in this musical play to entertain, inspire and educate kids from year 1 right through year 8 and above. And the teachers will love it just as much. Furthermore, we provide teaching resources for teachers of years 1-8 in a range of learning areas to help you prepare for or follow up from the performance!