A comedy of misunderstandings, mistaken identities, and impeccable comedic timing.

11-25 November 2023

Neil Simon's

Rumours

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Company Theatre

Step into the world of high-society hilarity with Neil Simon's "Rumours". 

A delightful fusion of slapstick and wit, "Rumours" promises an evening of belly laughs, pure entertainment, and a truly enjoyable theatre experience. You won’t want to miss this comedic gem put on by Company Theatre, directed by Kate Birch with a host of well-known local actors.

As.guests arrive for the 10th wedding anniversary of their Deputy Mayor friend, they're confronted not with celebration but with a puzzling scenario: the host has shot himself in the earlobe, the kitchen staff are nowhere to be found, and his wife is missing!

As more guests arrive, the effort to conceal the evening's unfolding chaos leads to a crescendo of confusion. Each character with their quirks and pretexts, go to great lengths to maintain the façade, as they become entangled in an ever-deepening web of comic deceit.


Information & Pricing

Venue: The Rose Theatre, 4 School Road, Belmont, Auckland

Running Time: 2 hours including interval

Standard Prices:

Adult - $29.00

Senior Gold card (65+) - $25.00

Student - $25.00

Saturday Special:

$22 tickets - Saturday 11th & 18th performances only

Performance Times

Saturday 11th November 8.00pm — Saturday Special - Opening Night

Sunday 12th November 2.00pm — Matinee 

Wed 15th November  8.00pm

Thursday 16th November  8.00pm

Friday 17th November 8.00pm

Saturday 18th November  8.00pm — Saturday Special

Sunday 19th November  2.00pm — Matinee 

Wednesday 22nd November  8.00pm

Thursday 23rd November 8.00pm

Friday 24th November 8.00pm

Saturday 25th November 8.00pm — Closing Night

CAST

<b>Duncan Preston</b>

Duncan Preston

Ken Gorman

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Duncan has played School Teachers in both The History Boys and Peninsula, which was a welcome break from his job as a school teacher. He is looking forward to the character of Ken, a bumbling, well meaning individual with a good heart and a very bad ear. This is Duncan's 5th time working with Company, having been in Peninsula, Neville's Island, Jerusalem and The History Boys. He hopes one day to play a character called Duncan.


<b>Rebecca Wright</b>

Rebecca Wright

Chris Gorman

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Rebecca is excited to be back at Company Theatre acting alongside a talented cast on one of the great American classics.

Recently, Rebecca was on stage with Theatreworks’ production of Sham playing Meryl. Last year Rebecca performed in Company Theatre’s God of Carnage as Annette.

<b>Jimmy Carrick</b>

Jimmy Carrick

Len Ganz 

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A local, award-winning actor, Jimmy is happy to be treading the boards once again with Company Theatre. This is his first performance since last year's award-winning Company Theatre production of Jez Butterworth's Jerusalem. He says, acting with Company Theatre gives me the opportunity to be with friends as well as his personal leading lady, Liz Cannon. Rumours is an absolute riot of a play, or at least that's what he's heard! 


<b>Chloe Smith</b>

Chloe Smith

Claire Ganz

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Chloe is a Performing Arts teacher for an Intermediate School in Auckland on the North Shore. Prior to being a teacher, she worked behind the scenes at TVNZ for the Breakfast Show. Her passion in drama has seen her land roles in shows at The Rose Centre and Centre Stage. Some of the shows include All my Sons, Deathtrap, A Streetcar Named Desire and The History Boys. She also directs an annual performance on stage at the Aotea Centre for NZ's biggest student drama and dance show called 'Showquest' in which her entries have placed 1st in Auckland for 3 years in row. Chloe is thrilled to be a part of 'Rumours' playing the role of materialistic and affluent 'Claire' with such a great director and hilarious cast!

<b>Oliver Roberts</b>

Oliver Roberts

Glenn Cooper

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This is Oliver's second show at The Rose, having worked with director Kate and other cast members in last year's God of Carnage. He joined the cast late (not the first time he's been called on to play someone morally questionable) and says he couldn’t resist the play’s chaotic fun. Plus the chance to work with such a talented group. He’s been promising for a while that he’ll “play someone nice next time”… but it’s a promise he’s enjoyed not keeping.


<b>Liz Cannon</b>

Liz Cannon

Cassie Cooper 

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Liz is delighted to be back treading the boards, in her fifth performance with Company Theatre: Calendar Girls (2013), Fawlty Towers (2015), One Man Two Guv’nors (2016), and Steel Magnolias (2019). She had a Shakespearean sojourn in Shoreside Theatre’s Twelfth Night (2020) and produced and directed James Carrick’s dark comedy ‘Welcome to Hellansville’ as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival in 2022. She’s now back in her happy place on stage at The Rose Centre with the most amazingly talented and fun bunch of fellow lovies! “Rumours' is an absolute blast of a farce, and has been so much fun. I can’t wait to help bring this brilliant comedy to the stage to delight everyone who sees it. The rumours are indeed true - it’s an hilarious romp of a comedy. Enjoy!


<b>Marissa Willson</b>

Marissa Willson

Erica Cusack

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Over the last 5 years Marissa has played a variety of roles in local theatre including Shakespeare, Dickens and Agatha Christie. In 2021 she was in “Speaking with Tongues” which won best Drama at the ACTT Awards. In 2022 she played Veronica Novak in “God of Carnage” for which she received a NAPTA nomination for Outstanding Leading Actress.Later that year she played Fawcett in the award-winning play “Jerusalem” also with Company Theatre. She is thrilled to be playing Erica, another strong female character in "Rumours".

<b>Robyn Donnelly</b>

Robyn Donnelly

Cookie Cusack

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Robyn Donnelly started as a baby, in musical theatre by playing her mother’s character’s baby  and continued from there. She broadened her realm to include non-musical theatre, operetta, children’s entertainment as a clown and an elf – incorporating magic and balloon animals, writing and directing. Robyn has gained an “A” pass in her post-graduate DipDrama, has received a musical theatre scholarship and was awarded Best Female in a Leading Role in Auckland community theatre, 2017. Robyn involves herself in all sides of production and as “Thespianage”, has turned her hand to anything required to get the show on the road! She has improvised with many improv troupes in New Zealand, and also runs children’s drama classes and casual drop-in improv sessions for adults.


<b>Dion Hunt</b>

Dion Hunt

Conklin - A Police Officer 

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Dion returned to the NZ stage in 2022 as Michael Novak in "God of Carnage" (Dir: Kate Birch, Company Theatre) and later as Wesley in "Jerusalem" (Dir: Kristoff Haines, Company Theatre) for which he was nominated for a NAFTA. He has since played various roles in the sold-out musical "Catch Me If You Can" with DeBase Theatre. His return came after a hiatus from the theatre world having spent time on stage in Sydney and throughout Australia, in the UK (where he studied at LAMDA, Pineapple Studios and various other institutions), after performing as a youth and then a young man in Auckland where he grew up.

<b>Jessica Silva</b>

Jessica Silva

Casey - A Police Officer 

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Originally from Brazil, where she studied theatre at university, and kickstarted her career, ten years ago. Now, she hopes to pursue her acting career, here in New Zealand, both on stage and film.

Production Crew

Director Kate Birch | Production Manager Kathy Gent | Stage Manager Vettinia Ross | Set Design Scott Thomas | Set Dressing and Painting Caroline Parker; TonySandy | Poster/Programme Sherry Berg | Costumes Lisa Percy | Iticket/Advertising Kathy Gent | Sound and Lighting Design Stephen Hood | Sound and Lighting Operation Stephen Hood | Props Vettinia Ross, Alastair Fletcher | Bar Alastair Fletcher | Front of House Lesley Hawkey | Website Sherry Ede

Company Theatre

About the Director

Kate Birch

Kate’s lifelong love of performing began at the tender age of three, a passion that has never waned. Despite her parent’s initial attempts to "get it out of her system" at dance and drama school, Kate’s involvement in amateur dramatics has remained a constant throughout her life.

In 2011, she embarked a bold move to New Zealand with her family, where she swiftly became involved with Company Theatre. Her on-stage performances have included "Fawlty Towers," "Hay Fever," and "Arms and the Man".

More recently Kate has harnessed her creative energies in a new role as a director, bringing productions like "Deathtrap" and "God of Carnage" to life.

Beyond the stage, Kate channels her passion for developing people and fostering teamwork as a Coach and Facilitator in her own company ‘Thrive Together’. Her ability to inspire and unite people mirrors her directorial talents, making her a dynamic force in both the business and theatrical worlds.

WHO is spreading the rumours? 

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