Piece of Work Productions - Children of the Poor

Piece of Work Productions will bring Mervyn Thompsons play Children of the Poor to Nelson in September for New Zealand Theatre Month.

By drawing heavily on Brechtian conventions this production will offer a new and unique experience to Nelson theatregoers. The audience will be immersed in the performance with the actors performing in and around them. (Note – this is not audience participation.). This is a non-naturalistic production with the cast of 7 who will multirole, chorus, direct narration, use physical theatre and manipulate many of the technical aspects such as the use of hand held lights and projections.

Putting on a play is expensive! Performance rights, rehearsal and performance venues, props, costumes, lighting, publicity - and that is before we can even consider paying the actors! $1200 has been generously been granted through the Creative Communities Scheme but help is needed to make up the shortfall - and hopefully through ticket sales enable me to pay the actors a share of the profits. Every little helps and is greatly appreciated.

A little about me - Anton Bentley

I am a theatre practitioner with extensive experience as an actor, designer and a proven track record as a director having received a number of awards for my productions. While in Auckland I began my own company, Piece of Work Productions, and now look forward to staging more entertaining yet challenging works in Nelson.

Until recently I was Head of Drama and Dance at Nayland College before leaving in order to pursue creative pursuits. I have extensive knowledge of the needs of secondary drama students and incorporates these into my work to ensure a valid experience that will complement their school education.

Directing experience include God of Carnage, The Glass Menagerie, Mary's Wedding, Art, The Cripple of Inishmaan, The Mysterious Mr Love, The Woman Who Cooked Her Husband, Candide, Great Expectations, Vinegar Tom and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged). Musicals include Les Miserables, Into the Woods, Oliver, The King and I, Bye Bye Birdie and The Mikado.