Current Production

CAST
Susan Hargraves
Reg Williams
Scott Hayden
Donna Franks
Mark Jensen
Ann-Marie (Anna) Jacobs
Emma Taylor
Heidi Bremner
Max Pirotais-Wilton

PRODUCTION TEAM
Director - Sian Davis
Director’s Assistant/Production Manager - Kathy Gent
Stage Managers - Lauren Brenner, Sama Al-Azzawi
Stage Crew - Sherry Yang, Ozana Pinter
Set Design - Scott Thomas
Set Assistant - Anne Rimmer
Set Construction- Scott Thomas, Stephen Hood, Brendan Rossiter, Tony Sandy, Phil Searle
Set Painters - Sian Davis, Caroline Parker, Tony Sandy, Brendan Rossiter
Wardrobe - Siobhan McPherson
Sound and Lighting Technician - Stephen Hood
Sound Design - Richard Jones
Lighting Design - Stephen Hood
Social Media and Poster Design - Rhema Sutherland
Programme - Catherine Maunsell
Props - Sarah Dettwiler, Vettinia Ross,
Website and archives - Sherry Ede
Bar- Sherry Ede and volunteers
Front of House - Lesley Hawkey and volunteers
With thanks to Kathryn Nobbs Photography.

Susan Hargreaves - Miss Shepherd

Susan’s last appearance with Company Theatre was as Ranyesvskaya in The Cherry Orchard, also directed by Sian, over 20 years ago! She is delighted to be back again playing this equally iconic role of Miss Shepherd.

It is an immense challenge peeling away the layers to discover what makes Miss Shepherd such a thoroughly disagreeable character most of the time. Susan hopes that through the revelation of the tragedies in Miss Shepherd’s life that created this eccentric, acerbic and fiercely independent old woman, audiences will feel empathy for her.

Susan’s most recent performance was at The Dolphin Theatre in May of this year playing Miss Ffoliot-ffoulkes in Murder on the Nile, another thoroughly unlikeable person. She feels that her next role should probably be a kind-hearted, sweet old lady!

Reg Williams - Bennett 1

View Bio

Reg first appeared with Company Theatre in Sian Davis' thrilling production of All My Sons playing Joe Keller. Other productions for Company Theatre include Sidney Bruhl in Deathtrap, Willy Loman in Death of Salesman and Sam Katz in The Cemetery Club. Reg’s most recent production he directed was this year, Les Liaisons Dangereuses. He previously directed for Company Theatre, Shaw's Arms and the Man and last year, the ebullient Ray Cooney farce, Out Of Order.

Other work as a director includes: The Crucible, 12 Angry Men, Evita and A Streetcar named Desire, all for Centrestage Theatre.

Favourite roles are Sam Byck in Assassins, Frank in Educating Rita, Kipps in A Woman in Black, George in Same Time Next Year and Freddie in Noises Off. Classical roles for Cliveden Festival Company (UK) include Petruchio and Mercutio.

He toured with Ubiquitous Theatre Company appearing in Jeffrey Bernard is Unwell and The Killing Game. He voiced Peter Pevensie in Bill Melendez' EMMY winning animated film of The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe.

Scott Hayden - Bennett 2

View Bio

Scott has been acting with Company Theatre since 2007, including two sell-out runs as Basil Fawlty in Fawlty Towers and More Fawlty Towers. He has played a variety of roles ranging from the dramatic Colonel Jessup in A Few Good Men with Mairangi Players to the comedic Captain Bertorelli in ‘Allo ‘Allo and mixtures of both as Elyot in Private Lives with Torbay Theatre.

Scott always appreciates the firm friendships formed during the course of each production – not the least of which being with his wife whom he met in Company Theatre’s production of Funny Money.

Bringing Alan Bennett to the stage in tandem with Reg’s portrayal has been a unique challenge and Scott has appreciated the opportunity to work with such a talented cast and crew in the process of doing so.

Anna Jacobs - Pauline, Undertaker

View Bio

Anna Jacobs began her working life in the media as a radio journalist and producer before moving to television news as a journalist and creator/director of news documentaries.

After some years, she moved abroad and retrained as a teacher, moving through primary, intermediate and finally, high school, teaching English literature which she now tutors privately.

During her time as Chief Reporter of a radio newsroom she began dabbling in community theatre and appeared in a local production of Habeas Corpus. This is her first time on stage again playing a rather posh member of Alan Bennett's literary/artistic group who have found themselves all living on the same street.

Pauline is very impressed by the famous Alan Bennett and although married to Rufus, her admiration quickly turns to a secret crush on him. Boy, does she fancy him! Her way is to be overly-familiar with him. She is very naive…

Donna Franks - Mam, Leone Fairchild, Undertaker

View Bio

Donna is elated to be back working under the director, Sian Davis. She last appeared on stage here in Last Legs in 2018 also directed by Sian.

Since then Donna has been working with an acting agency where she did a bit of film and TV work. Live theatre is her favourite and she is thrilled to be part of this wonderful production based on a true story and appearing as multiple characters.

In her spare time, she enjoys playing tennis, playing the piano and spending time with family. Donna also belongs to The Rose Singers which keeps her foot in the door doing stage work, singing and dancing. She is always looking forward to the next character to play.

Emma Taylor - Social Worker, Undertaker

View Bio

Inspired by her mum’s foray into amateur dramatics several decades ago, Emma caught the acting bug at university in Scotland, subsequently going on to appear in several plays in her hometown of Preston, Lancashire and then in New Zealand, when she moved to Auckland 26 years ago.

After a long break from the stage to raise her two girls, she rediscovered the joy of theatre last year as ‘Lady Basildon’ in Dolphin Theatre’s production of An Ideal Husband.

Emma was people watching in a cafe somewhere in Northern England a couple of months ago, amused by how several of her fellow cafe patrons could have been perfect characters in the next Alan Bennett ’Talking Heads’ series.

So how delightful it is that she now finds herself in this play about one of his most iconic characters - "Mary… or Margaret… Shepherd”!

Heidi Bremner - Doctor, Interviewer, Undertaker

View Bio

Heidi recently returned to the stage as Mrs Birch in Shoreside Theatre’s production of The Stranger at The Pump House. She is delighted to be joining Company Theatre’s production of The Lady in the Van.

Heidi takes on the roles of Interviewer and Doctor in this production and is learning so much from director Sian, the talented cast and creative team.

It’s a positive challenge for Heidi to reconnect with performance, first inspired by a very special and encouraging drama teacher in her school years.

For her day job, Heidi supports families and teachers in the development of children’s communication skills.

Theatre provides a creative outlet that complements Heidi’s professional passion for communication and connection. She enjoys the collaborative nature of theatre to bring the characters to life. Heidi is excited to share this heartwarming and memorable story with audiences.

Mark Jensen - Rufus, Underwood, Undertaker 2

View Bio

Ten years ago, Mark appeared in his first Company play, When Dad Married Fury, directed by Max Golding.

Later that year, he played Charlie “The Duck” Clench in One Man Two Guvnors.

In 2017 Mark played “Jack” , the grass-growing farmer in the kiwi play Weed. And in 2024 he acted alongside Max in another great kiwi play - Home Land. Mark has thoroughly enjoyed taking part in these four memorable plays.

Max Pirotais-Wilton - Lout, Priest, Gardener, Ambulance Driver, St Francis of Assisi

View Bio

A devout techie, video game guy and bilingual French/English speaker, Max has pursued his passion for theatre, having now been in half a dozen community productions on Auckland’s North Shore.

His most recent roles have been in Shoreside Theatre's 2026 Midwinter Agatha Christie The Stranger as Dick,and Foolish Wit Theatre's 2025 production of A Doll’s House as Dr Rank.

In the past he’s also appeared in Shoreside Theatre’s Shakespeare in the Park and in Company Theatre’s production of Death of a Salesman as Stanley the waiter. The Lady in the Van will be his first time playing multiple roles, ranging from the rowdiness of a hooligan to the solemnity of a priest.

Information

Performance Times

CAST
Susan Hargraves
Reg Williams
Scott Hayden
Donna Franks
Mark Jensen
Ann-Marie (Anna) Jacobs
Emma Taylor
Heidi Bremner
Max Pirotais-Wilton

Susan Hargreaves - Miss Shepherd

Reg Williams - Bennett 1

Scott Hayden - Bennett 2

Anna Jacobs - Pauline, Undertaker

Donna Franks - Mam, Leone Fairchild, Undertaker

Emma Taylor - Social Worker, Undertaker

Heidi Bremner - Doctor, Interviewer, Undertaker

Mark Jensen - Rufus, Underwood, Undertaker 2

Max Pirotais-Wilton - Lout, Priest, Gardener, Ambulance Driver, St Francis of Assisi

How to Book

WHAT'S ON

ABOUT

CONTACT