News
Jennifer Ward-Lealand WINS NZer of the Year
Howick Little Theatre congratulates regular workshop tutor and Equity NZ president Jennifer Ward-Lealand – Te Atamira on being named 2020 New Zealander of the Year. The Maori advocate and actor of 40 years received the award from the Prime Minister on ...
Actor’s Voice Workshop with Kirstie O’Sullivan
The Actor's Voice, a workshop with internationally trained voice tutor Kirstie O’Sullivan, head of voice for the Actor’s Program, is coming to HLT on March 14-15 (10am-4pm). NB: this workshop is now full, but we do have a waiting list. This workshop ...
BEST PRODUCTION OF 2019
Congratulations to The Book of Everything director Alex Gleed and his cast and crew on winning the Best Production Award for 2019. As the adjudicator stated, “The winner had heart, understanding, a brave and moving performance, not only from its young ...
EAST AUCKLAND APP
Howick Little Theatre is now on the East Auckland App, which can be downloaded free from Google Play or via the Apple Store. This will allow anyone to connect with HLT 24/7. Once downloaded, the app has a mix of categories ...
GIFT SUBSCRIPTIONS AND VOUCHERS
Howick Little Theatre Showcard subscriptions and gift vouchers are an ideal present for the theatre lover in your life. An original and imaginative idea for Christmas, birthdays or any occasion, gift subscriptions are available throughout the year for between two and ...
“Everything you love about live theatre”
Read what the Broadway World reviewer wrote about HLT’s final play for 2020, Ken Ludwig’s The Games Afoot, or Holmes for the Holidays: “For fans of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and period comedic farce, this play will entirely engage, delight, and entertain. ...
Box-office smash comes to HLT
HLT’s final play for 2020, The Game’s Afoot – or Holmes for the Holidays, made box-office history during its world premiere at the historic Cleveland Play House, Ohio, in 2011, when it became the top-selling show in that theatre’s history. The ...
Congratulations, Jennifer
Congratulations to performing arts legend Jennifer Ward-Lealand – Te Atamira, a regular workshop tutor at HLT, on winning the Arts & Culture section of the 2019 Women of Influence Awards. In an article on the Stuff website, Stuff chief executive Sinead Boucher said the awards highlighted ...
AUDITIONS: "stag and doe', a modern comedy
First up at HLT in 2020 is the Canadian comedy Stag and Doe, by Mark Crawford. Auditions for the six roles will be held on Sunday, November 24, between 10am and 2pm or by appointment. The roles are for six actors, ...
WEBSITE REDEVELOPMENT
Thanks to a grant of $3500 from the Lion Foundation, HLT will be getting a brand new website. The redesign and rebuild will include a responsive skin suitable for all devices, including desktop, tablet and mobile. Watch this space for our ...
Neighbourhood Watch reviewer praises acting
Here's what the Broadway World reviewer said about our latest production, Alan Ayckbourn's black comedy Neighbourhood Watch: "Superbly acted, well directed, ironically funny, and truthful at a surprising level, the latest play at Howick Little Theatre is certainly worth seeing." Read the ...
Curtain Up! exhibition at Auckland Library
HLT features in the Auckland Central Library's Curtain Up! exhibition, a visual snapshot of Auckland theatre from the 1950s to the 1980s. It is on view in the Sir George Grey Special Collections level 2 space at the library until November 24. This ...
Miranda Harcourt Masterclass now sold out
Miranda Harcourt, one of New Zealand's leading acting coaches, will be staging a one-day masterclass in Screen Naturalism on November 23 at Howick Little Theatre. Places are strictly limited, so don't delay. Last year's course sold out really quickly, so download a ...
Review of "The Book of Everything"
Here's some of what the Broadway World reviewer said about The Book of Everything: "Underpinning the story is the great kindness that people are able to give despite their circumstances and the willingness to stand up for love even from a ...
CONGRATULATIONS, SIR ROGER
Congratulations to Roger Hall on being made a Knight Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen's Birthday Honours. With his knighthood, the 80-year-old becomes the country's most honoured playwright and the first to be knighted. In a career that has ...
JOIN OUR THEATRE
Looking for something different to do? Just arrived in the Auckland area and want to meet some new people? How about becoming part of a talented and creative backstage team helping to put a production together? We are always looking for volunteers. ...
Workshop funding
International acting coach Miranda Harcourt will be making a welcome return to HLT this year to stage another acting workshop. This has been made possible thanks to a grant from Creative Communities/Auckland Council. Details will be announced shortly.
HLT CELEBRATES 65 YEARS
2019 is HLT's 65th year, and so to mark this milestone, we have had some commemorative reusable shopping bags designed and printed. These are available to buy from the office and will also be sold by bar staff during each show for ...
ROOMS FOR HIRE
Howick Little Theatre has spacious and comfortable rooms for hire, particularly during the day, in a convenient purpose-built theatre located off Pakuranga Road in Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga. There is air-conditioning or opening windows, modern kitchen and toilet facilities and a ...
Classic Comedy "California Suite"
HLT's first production in its 65th anniversary year, California Suite, by Neil Simon, runs until March 16. Read in the Pohutukawa Coast Times how the director, Mary Gray, broke her leg just in time for the start of rehearsals.
New Senior Drama Tutor
Howick Little Theatre extends a warm welcome to our new Senior Drama Tutor Georgina Marie Briggs, who graduated with a First Class BA (Hons) in European Theatre Arts at Rose Bruford College of Theatre and Performance in London. Here, she specialised in ...
CONGRATULATIONS
HLT congratulates 2019 workshop tutor Jennifer Ward-Lealand, who was recognised in the 2019 New Year's Honours for her services to theatre, film and television and now becomes a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit. Equity New Zealand's president since 2007, ...
costume hire
Need something to wear to a fancy-dress party or period event? For information on costume hire, email us or phone 534-1401 for further assistance.
Grants for HLT
HLT would like to publicly acknowledge the generosity of the Four Winds Foundation in awarding us a grant of $1485 towards the cost of a new foyer marketing board. We would also like to express our thanks to the New Zealand ...
BEST PRODUCTION WINNER 2018
Congratulations to director Vic Leilua and the cast and crew of Good People, which won Best Production for 2018. Congratulations also to this year's merit award recipients: Penny Hudson, Saeed Mallak and Judy Rankin.
Review of "I'll leave It To You"
Audiences are loving HLT's 1920s Noel Coward comedy I'll Leave It To You. Here's what Broadway World reviewer Monica Moore said: " Under the very experienced directorship of Laurie Mills, the cast deliver authentic and lively characters who drive the story and take ...
2019 SEASON ANNOUNCEMENT
The line-up of plays for HLT's 2019 season has been announced. For HLT's 65th-anniversary year, the plays will be: California Suite, by Neil Simon, directed by Mary Gray, which is auditioning on November 10; The Spirit of Annie Ross, by Bernard ...
AUDITIONS INFORMATION
Want to get HLT's auditions information delivered straight to your email inbox? It's simple. Just sign up via our online mailing list form. You will receive only the information you sign up for.
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT
Christchurch playwright Carl Nixon, who is just back from his Katherine Mansfield Menton Fellowship residency in France, will be attending opening night of his play Matthew, Mark, Luke and Joanne on Saturday, September 8, and will be holding a Q and A ...
THEATRE ARCHITECT Hugh Phillips Dies
Howick Little Theatre was saddened to learn of the death of Hugh Phillips, a life member and HLT's joint Patron, on Saturday, August 25, aged 89. Hugh, who joined the theatre in 1960 and was one of its seven longest-serving members, ...
Gift Vouchers and Subscriptions
Give the gift of theatre. A Howick Little Theatre subscription or a gift voucher is an ideal present for the theatre lover in your life. An original and imaginative idea for birthdays, thank-yous or any occasion, subscriptions and gift vouchers can ...
Playwriting workshop with Murray Edmond
"Seeing the Ghost", a two-day playwriting workshop with Murray Edmond, will be held on September 1 and 2. Limited to 10 people. Cost: $50. Download a registration form here. This workshop is made affordable thanks to funding from Creative Communities/Auckland Council.
World premiere public playreading
Come along to a rehearsed reading of Sunny Jim, a new New Zealand drama by HLT member Richard de Luca, on Saturday, August 4, at 8pm, directed by Terry Hooper. Feel free to bring along friends and family to this public night. ...
Four stars for 'The House by the Lake'
Here's what the H&P Times reviewer said: "You’ll gasp and you’ll laugh as you follow the twists and turns of the Holt family drama — and you’ll love every moment." Read the rest of the review.
Script sets for sale
Howick Little Theatre has a number of production sets of play scripts for sale at much reduced prices. All scripts are as new. For more details or to make an offer, contact scripts@hlt.org.nz.Available sets of scripts are:Kevin's Bed A comedy by Bernard Farrell/Ireland. ...
Grant for Communications System
HLT will get a new backstage communications system following the announcement of a grant of $4000 from the Four Winds Foundation. Thanks to the foundation for making this purchase possible.
Best Production Winner for 2017
Congratulations to the cast and crew of The Pink Hammer, which won Best Production for 2017. Congratulations also to the merit award recipients: Hanneke Beets, Judith Clarke, David Guthrie, Glenise Johnson, Nick Martin, Margaret Nash and Hamish Regan.
Grant for Replacement Lights
HLT was delighted to hear this week that the Stevenson Village Trust Board had kindly granted us $17,846 to replace the lighting throughout the theatre with energy-saving, cost-effective and greener LED fittings and fixtures. A number of the fittings in the ...
Hilarious "Book Ends" gets a four-star review
Book Ends is relatable, hilarious and, above all, a classic Kiwi comedy. I highly recommend heading down to see it yourself. While I spent the entire show with a smile on my face, my personal highlight would be the lengths Bert ...
Roger Hall Comes To HLT
On Sunday, November 12, at HLT's 2pm matinee performance of Book Ends, the playwright Roger Hall and the cast of his hit comedy will be facing some of the real people upon whom their characters are based. This is probably a ...
Remembering the Crash
Much-loved Kiwi playwright Roger Hall, whose play Book Ends opens at HLT on November 11, talks to the NZ Herald on the 30th anniversary of the 1987 sharemarket crash. Although he took a financial knockback in the crash, he also managed ...
"I loved it" -- H&P Times reviewer
The H&P Times reviewer is raving about HLT's latest classic thriller, Dial M for Murder. Tickets are flying out the door so book yours now.
'Dial M for Murder' bookings
Tickets are selling fast for HLT's season of the classic 50s thriller Dial M for Murder, directed by Alex Gleed. Book now to avoid disappointment. The plot: Ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice wants to have his rick wife murdered so he can get ...
Studio play 'Lockdown'
Lockdown, by HLT member Nik Rolls and directed by Matthew Diesch, is a raw and open look at identity under pressure. Where does it come from, and what does it consist of? How is new identity formed and what separates it ...
'You'll Love Every Second'
The Howick and Pakuranga Times reviewer says: "This performance made me fall in love with the story of Gatsby all over again — and the dramatic end even left me with goosebumps. But don’t take my word for it – head ...
Havana a "theatrical masterpiece"
"Director Pam Browne has pulled off an outstanding performance – seamlessly intertwining the storyline and cast with technical excellence to create a theatrical masterpiece you don’t want to miss." That's what the Howick and Pkauranga Times reviewer said about HLT's latest ...
Lion Foundation grant
Many thanks to the Lion Foundation for its generous grant of $3400 towards new sound equipment. It is planned to have the new equipment in place for the next main production, Our Man in Havana.
Playwright's Passport
In a move to support and inspire New Zealand's playwrights, HLT has joined with Playmarket to create a programme called Playwright's Passport, which offers an available ticket to any of Playmarket's playwright clients on the day or night of a performance, free of charge. ...
Playwright Michele Amas dies
HLT notes with sadness the death this week of prominent Wellington actress, writer and poet Michele Amas, who wrote The Pink Hammer, HLT’s first production for 2017. Quoted on stuff.co.nz, her husband, playwright Ken Duncum, described her as an extraordinary person who ...
Best Production for 2016
Congratulations to director Nathan Hey and the cast and crew of The Perfect Murder on winning the Best Production Award for 2016. The independent adjudicator, Clare Kelso, said it was an extremely tough decision as the quality was very high, but ...
"The Ladykillers" comes to Howick
The smash hit West End classic 1950s comedy The Ladykillers is SELLING FAST. Read the Times reviewer, who gave it four and a half stars. The story is about an old lady pitted against a gang of criminals. Posing as amateur musicians, Professor ...
HLT Studio's New Work
THE OPERATIVE, a play written by HLT member Nathan Hey, will be the final Studio work for 2016. Directed by Andrew Gordon, the play explores the aftermath of a botched mission and involves an intense interrogation of a NSA operative and ...
"Ladies in Lavender"
The 1930s' drama Ladies in Lavender earned five stars from the H&P Times reviewer. Book now for HLT's latest production, which runs until July 30. The story revolves around two sisters, Ursula and Janet Widdington, whose lives are turned upside down after they ...
'The Perfect Murder' earns five stars
HLT's latest play, The Perfect Murder, has won high praise from the Times reviewer: "It starts with the familiar refrain 'my wife doesn’t understand me' and from there the cast of Howick Little Theatre’s latest production leaps into the twists and ...
Funding for New Stage Lights
HLT extends grateful thanks to the New Zealand Community Trust for a grant of $2500 towards the purchase of new LED stage lights. We plan to have these in place for the start of our 2016 productions.
Best Production 2015
Congratulations to director Penelope Keegan and the cast and crew of Sitting Pretty, who were named the winners of the HLT Best Production award for 2015 at the Christmas Party. The president, Frances Hollis, thanked everyone who had worked at the ...
Five stars for 'Seven Year Twitch'
Read the Howick and Pakuranga Times reviewer's five-star review of HLT's end-of-year show, Seven Year Twitch.
Creative Communities grant
Thanks to Creative Communities –- Auckland Council for a $3000 grant that will go towards the cost of producing HLT's 2016 promotional material. This material includes brochures, calendars, postcards, posters and newspaper advertisements.
Cool grant from Pub Charity
Many thanks to Pub Charity for the generous grant of $1599 that HLT has received to replace the obsolete office heat pump, which also provides essential cooling over summer.
Five stars for "Mary's Wedding"
HLT has done it again! Congratulations to the Mary's Wedding team on achieving a five-star review from the Howick and Pakuranga Times reviewer.
Lion Foundation funds new computers
Thanks to the generosity of the Lion Foundation, HLT has received a grant of $2500 to replace the ageing office computers, which had become increasingly slow and unreliable. This has made a huge difference to the smooth running of the office.
Five stars for "Birthrights"
Howick & Pakuranga Times reviewer Marianne Kelly has given HLT's latest production, Birthrights, a five-star review. Here's what she said: "Take a dose of family rivalry, long-held resentments and throw in one of the most bittersweet human conundrums of all, child ...
Marking 50 Years of Membership
Congratulations to HLT patron, former president and long-standing committee member, director and actress Irene Fryer on achieving 50 years as a member of Howick Little Theatre. Irene and her late husband, Ronald, formerly Howick's town cryer, joined the theatre in 1965. ...
Fashion icon debuts on stage at HLT
Sitting Pretty is packing in the audiences and got a five-star review. Read the NZ Herald interview with World fashion house co-founder and Sitting Pretty star Denise L'Éstrange-Corbet, who is making her community theatre debut in this comedy-drama. Read the preview with ...
Life member Johnny Bond farewelled
HLT was saddened by the recent death of life member and long-time professional entertainer and musician Johnny Bond (90), who joined the theatre in 1958. Read his obituary in the H and P Times.
Best Production for 2014
Congratulations to all those involved in Noises Off, directed by Julian Harrison, which has won the Best Production Award for 2014.
Auckland Theatre Awards winner
Congratulations to HLT's senior drama class tutor Ben Crowder, whose play 360: A Theatre of Recollections won two awards at the Auckland Theatre Awards in December. Produced by Theatre Stampede and Nightsong Productions, the play received the Hackman Cup for winning the people's ...
Wicked new satire: "White Gold"
The highlight of the HLT Studio’s inaugural year, the wickedly satirical comedy White Gold opens on October 8 and runs until October 11. The play, which takes a wry look at Kiwi business culture and communications mishaps, puts our biggest industry, dairying, under ...
Five stars for "Two Fish 'N' A Scoop"
Carl Nixon's interracial love story set in a Kiwi fish and chip shop has scored five stars from Howick & Pakuranga Times reviewer Marianne Kelly. In it she says, "Director Terry Hooper has done a sublime job on two talented actors, ...
Four Stars for "4000 Miles"
"Narrative skills triumph", says the H&P Times review about HLT's latest play, 4000 Miles, winner of the 2012 Obie Award for Best New American Play. The Times' Marianne Kelly agrees with Time magazine’s reviewer that: "'[Amy] Herzog unravels details slowly, with uncommon narrative skill'," ...
Five stars for The Importance of Being Earnest
We've done it again! HLT's revival of Oscar Wilde's 1895 comedy classic, The Importance of Being Earnest, has been awarded five stars by the Howick and Pakuranga Times. Here's what the reviewer said: "No matter how many repeat performances of Oscar ...
Grants for HLT Studio project
Thanks to Auckland Council for a grant of $1000 towards the running costs of An Unseasonable Fall of Snow, by Gary Henderson. This inaugural HLT Studio work, directed by Simon Shreeve, will be staged in late March as part of the ...
Best Production 2013
Congratulations to all those involved in Norm Foster's hit comedy Looking, directed by Julian Harrison, which won the Best Production award for 2013.
Congratulations
HLT congratulates playwright Gary Henderson who was presented with the Playmarket Award at the Playmarket Accolades in late 2013. The award was created to recognise a playwright who has made a significant artistic contribution to theatre in New Zealand, and grants a $20,000 cash ...
Grants for HLT Projects
Thanks to the ASB Trust, HLT is the recipient of a $15,000 grant to enable us to buy a new lighting board. The old board (new in 1997) had become increasingly unreliable in 2013 and replacement parts were unobtainable. The new ...
HLT celebrates 60th anniversary
HLT's 2014 diamond jubilee is here, and we have an exciting line-up of plays, featuring works both old and new. For details, see What's On. Events to mark the 60th anniversary will be announced at a later date.
Five stars for "Kiwifruits"
The hilarious drag-queen show Kiwifruits scored a five-star review from the Howick and Pakuranga Times. Audiences are loving this spectacular Kiwi take on the Cinderella story by Carl Nixon and Craig Cooper, and directed by John Fausett, in which a traditional working ...
Five-star review for the hit comedy "Looking"
Reviewing Looking, H&P Times editor PJ Taylor gave the production five stars. Here’s some of what he wrote: “We got lucky,” actress Cristine Della Barca appropriately reacted afterwards – at yummy supper following the opening night’s performance – of the newest ...
Five stars for "The Cat's Meow"
Reviewing The Cat's Meow, H&P Times editor PJ Taylor has given the production five stars. Here's some of what he wrote: "DARLINGS – the Howick Little Theatre (HLT) has triumphed again with another outstanding choice of drama productions, especially one that keeps an audience’s ...
Five stars for 'A Shortcut to Happiness'
Congratulations to the cast and crew of hit comedy A Shortcut to Happiness, directed by Susanne Dell, which was given a five-star rating in this week's review.
Member for 50 Years
Congratulations to life member Diane Francis, who in 2013 marked her 50th year of Howick Little Theatre membership. Diane, who is also a playwright, is taking on the challenge of writing a history of the theatre as part of HLT's 60th ...
New Theatre Air-conditioning
Many thanks to the ASB Trust for their generous grant of $12,721 towards the cost of replacing the main auditorium air-conditioning. The new system was installed in December.
Best Production 2012
Congratulations to all those involved in Peninsula, directed by Terry Hooper, which has won the Best Production award for 2012.
Trust Grant for New Lights
Many thanks to the Trillian Trust for $1618 towards the purchase of 4 new stage lights and associated accessories to replace old lights that will no longer pass a safety test.
A Regal Impressionist
Howick has its own regal impressionist and Queen Elizabeth lookalike, HLT actress Judy Rankin. As Prince Charles and wife Camilla pay a visit to NZ, read the Howick and Pakuranga Times article about Judy and her own royal progress.
Peninsula, an Extraordinary Kiwi "classic"
Do you have fond memories of a Kiwi childhood? Or remember Dinah Lee's smash hit "The Blue Beat"? The Times reviewer gave this play five stars and audiences are loving Gary Henderson’s 60s Kiwi drama Peninsula, a play that “distills an unremarkable Kiwi childhood to ...
ASB Trust Grant for New Airconditioning
Many thanks to the ASB Trust for their generous grant of $12,721 towards the cost of replacing the main auditorium air-conditioning. The new system is expected to be installed in December/January.
Peninsula feedback
Here's what people are saying about Peninsula ... "We would like to send our sincere congratulations on a wonderful play, SO well produced and SO well acted. We were spellbound from start to finish. It’s been one of the most enjoyable ...
Production of the Year
Congratulations to director Anton Bentley and the cast and crew of Some Girl(s), which won the Best Production Award for 2011. Congratulations also to Merit Award winners: Emma Love, Elaine Dwyer, Rosie Elder, Caroline Greig, Chris Jeram, Rae McGregor and Marion Wood.
Lion Foundation Grant
Thanks to the Lion Foundation for a $10,000 grant towards new sound equipment. The purchase will give us much greater flexibility when it comes to designing soundscapes for HLT productions. The new equipment will also enhance the quality of the sound ...
'Sir Len' Salutes the Theatre
Mayor Len Brown visited the theatre to look at the facilities and discuss the theatre's future plans. His visit was reported in the Howick and Pakuranga Times (13/9/09). He was photographed during the visit with (from left): Kathy Bigwood ...
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