A play that reminds of the long summers, the Goodnight Kiwi and all things retro
Those who grew up in New Zealand in the 1980s are familiar with the Goodnight Kiwi.
Remember the golden days?
The ones when the summers were longer, Judy Bailey was on our TV screens, Spaceman candy sticks were totally cool.
And if you were lucky enough to catch the Goodnight Kiwi, you knew it was well past your bedtime.
Amber Curreen says the play is hilarious.
Admit it, growing up in the 1970s and 80s was fun.
But reminiscing about the good old days doesn't have to be a lonely job.
From June 24 - 27, three actors will bring all things retro to stage in a 70-minute play called Larger Than Life at Te Pou Theatre in New Lynn.
Shadrack Simi, left, Chris Martin and Brady Peeti in a scene from Larger Than Life.
Producer Amber Curreen said the play looked back at a period Kiwis loved to romanticise.
It began in present-day New Zealand with three Maori brothers who grew up in the "golden days".
The trio were on a road trip to Wellington for the opening of a John Rowles concert.
Amber Curreen is a whanau member at Te Pou theatre in New Lynn and she is the producer for Larger Than Life.
And what followed was a "time travelling and region hopping" musical journey through the two decades, Curreen said.
The cast of three will play 12 characters, most of them Kiwi icons.
Curreen dropped some names too – think Topp twins.
Shadrack Simi, left, Chris Martin and Brady Peeti are the three cast members for Larger Than Life.
"There is one character who has a massive crush on Robert Muldoon. Actually in her head he is having an affair with him."
But it was not a play for the faint-hearted, Curreen said.
"Those boys have a foul mouth."
Judy Bailey was an icon for most Kiwis who grew up in the 1970s and 80s.
Written by Tainui Tukiwaho and Chris Martin, who also played one of the siblings, it was not just the storyline that was interesting, she said.
Even the casting was tongue-in-cheek, Curreen said.
The three Maori actors were an unlikely match. Shadrack Simi and Brady Peeti "look Maori", but Martin had ginger hair, was short and pale skinned – and looked unrelated to the other two.
As for the title, Larger Than Life, that had significance too.
Curreen said sometimes Kiwis romanticised "a bit too much" when they got nostalgic, hence making their memories "larger than life".
Larger Than Life comes to Te Pou Theatre in New Lynn for three shows from June 24 - 27.
The play will run in Palmerston North June 8 - 10, Wellington June 14 - 17, at Te Pou in Auckland June 24 - 27 and at the Herald as part of Auckland Live on June 30 and 31.
For tickets and more information go to eventfinda.co.nz.
- Stuff
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