PETTY CRIME - World Premiere of a new NZ Musical

$3,140 donated

Given by 33 generous donors in one year

Bringing an animalistic presence to theatre- the NZ and World Premiere of a new musical-- PETTY CRIME - by Grant Bridger & Matthew Brown

Auckland

Petty Crime - the new NZ musical, was written by myself (Grant Bridger) and longtime friend and composer, Matthew Brown, who sadly is no longer with us. We did many theatre shows together as Matthew was MD at Theatre Corporate and Mercury Theatre, and many travelling shows, as well as concerts with his then wife,Darien Takle and myself. I was a member of mercury Theatre Company on and off for 15 years before touring NZ & Australia- 600 performances of SUPERSTAR and Japan twice with PHANTOM OF THE OPERA. For Petty Crime, Matthew has succeeded In creating 'musical theatre songs' with a difference - quirky and animalistic yet melodious and unforgettable.

The show had a workshop with Auckland Youth Theatre some time back and Peter Calder, who was theatre critic for the Herald at the time said:-

'The is the most exciting piece of raw theatre I have seen all year.

High praise and very encouraging. And 'raw' -- just as the animals like it!!

PETTY CRIME is set in a Pet Shop and the Rat who inhabits the basements turns it into a Nightclub, CHEESERS, after owner Doris, leaves for the night.

Cast includes a Cockney Spaniel, Pusstitute, Pole Dancing French Poodle, a Bi-Sexual Bull Terrier and lead singer in the band THE INFESTORS is Vermine, a beautiful white rat and lover of Hoody the King Rat, who unbeknown to them has been catnapped and taken to the lab, by the insidious street rat gang - a kind of Rat Mafia. Much of the action centres around the inmates getting wind of Vermine's fate, and their plans to rescue her!!! Another particular favourite of mine is TTED the TURTLE who dreams of being a dancer and performers I JUST WANNA BREAK OUTA MY SHELL.

The theme of animal testing is a strong dramatic component, yet it is never pushed down the audiences throats without being accompanied by lots of fun and musical interludes from the wonderful characters as they share their stories.

It is at times dramatic, but mostly lighthearted, as we travel through the lives of animals living in a world controlled by humans. This production at Waiheke ARTWORKS THEATRE will be a WORLD PREMIERE- directed by writer Grant Bridger and Waihekean pianist and Musical Director - Reg Towers.

Production is set for early 2019.

Following that we hope to take our success to the director's old stamping ground THE MERCURY THEATRE for a city season. Till then we'll keep it on a lead!!!

Check out our Soundcloud!

https://soundcloud.com/dictionree/sets/petty-crime-demos?utm_source=soundcloud&utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=email

Use of funds

The costumes have been made already by Waiheke designer- Kristen Sorrenson, now we need funds for rehearsal space, marketing, publicity and production(lights/sound) to support our reaching OPENING NIGHT. Casting almost complete.

going pro 21 May 2019

Hi --have reopened the donor door as I am now moving towards doing a professional production with paid actors and an auckland venue. We'll be applying for the usual grants( excuse the analogy) and looking for a producer to manage things I am just not good at. That's something I learned very clearly in the process of getting the show on here at Waiheke Artworks Theatre. It also blew my mind how expensive it is to do a show even though you use recycled materials for set handsome of the costumes but that was also a choice in the move to sustainable No 8 Wire Theatre. But costumes, lights, sound and set were bloody fine. I may also hand the production over to another director for a fresh take. It's not hard to be stymied by being to close to a script and show, especially if you have written it as well. But audiences LOVED it and it was a great pleasure to sit up the back and hear people's laughter and feel them being moved by Matthew Brown's music and the actors work.

'Enough. I always bang on too much. So we have no date but it will be in the NTCF. KEEP THEATRE LIVE AND ALIVE. PETTY CRIME has been born and the mid-husbands and wives are chuffed.

Share this update

Read 8 more updates