Kiwifruits

by Carl Nixon & Craig Cooper
Directed by Simon Foley

In this hilarious free-wheeling Kiwi version of the Cinderella story.

Fay Gay tells fellow performer Tatania the story of how the Castle Road Tavern was saved from ruin by being transformed from a traditional straight-up working men’s pub into a venue for spectacular drag shows.

Featuring a wicked accountant, glamorous gowns, delicious dancing and a fairy godmother unlike any you’ve ever seen before.

 

Playwright

Carl Nixon

Carl’s involvement with theatre began in 1986 when he started performing in Theatresports shows at The Court, something he continued to do for the next fourteen years. He was a founding member of the Court Jesters improvisors and a regular in the Scared Scriptless show for almost a decade. His work for theatre encompasses several plays for children. His adult plays include The Raft, The Birthday Boy, Two Fish ‘n’ a Scoop, The War Artist and adaptions of J. M. Coetzees' Booker Prize winning novel Disgrace and Lloyd Jones’ novel The Book of Fame for the stage. His play, Mathew, Mark, Luke and Joanne premiered at The Court in April 2016.

WRITER CREDIT

Carl Nixon and Craig Cooper

 

Director

Simon Foley

Simon Foley joined the Dolphin Theatre community in 2017 in ‘Spirit Level’, became part of the committee the following year and is currently President.  He directed for the first time with “The Irish Murderer” in 2021’s One Act Play Festival.

Director’s Notes

This show is funny, quick, and full of energy. I’m so excited to be able to work with a group of people who have chemistry, can work well as a team, and who are just as excited as me to bring these fabulous characters to life and have a bunch of fun doing so!

These characters could be any nationality or race. I will be running my auditions in hour-long group settings where we will be able to work off each other. If necessary, call-backs will be held early in the week following the auditions.  The Dolphin is a great community of people who love doing what they do and I’d be thrilled for this show to your introduction to our theatre.

As there are just six weeks between starting rehearsals and being on stage, preparation over the Christmas break will be of the essence. I will be looking for actors to be off-book by the end of the first week of rehearsals.  We will have a great time getting this show together and I look forward to meeting you!

Cast

 
Featured
Des Gotobed
Des Gotobed

as Rex

After having a forced 12 year break from theatre, Des says it feels great to be back on the boards again so soon after appearing in Dolphin’s production of The Comedy of Errors in 2022. Thank you Dolphin theatre and Simon, for giving Des this opportunity to, once again, pursue his alter ego. He has enjoyed working with the cast and crew on Kiwifruits during rehearsals and looks forward to a successful season.

Kieran Bennett
Kieran Bennett

as Fay Gay

No stranger to the Dolphin, Kieran has been walking its stage since 2016. Audiences may remember his most recent turn as grouse-obsessed mathematician Valentine Coverly in Arcadia, a very different role to Fay! Kieran is thrilled to be involved with two queer plays this year at Dolphin and promises to serve slay boots the house down realness.

Paul Greenfield
Paul Greenfield

as Ben Corona

The character of Ben Corona presented a challenge to Paul as he considers himself neither a "bloke" nor a "queen". He has always looked at female clothing with some envy - ensorcelled by the glamour, elegance, and, most of all, the sheer variety. Kiwifruits was the perfect opportunity to get some frocks on and learn to walk in heels! Paul's more recent performances include Messiah on the Frigidaire (in which he met his wife), Deadman's Cellphone, Things I Know to be True, and, at the Dolphin, Death and Taxes and The Comedy of Errors.

Caitlin Flower
Caitlin Flower

as Alla

Caitlin is an avid actor, content producer and long time theatre fanatic. She got her first taste of the arts attending a performance at the Dolphin Theatre with her late Grandparents (Betty & Ron Jackson) and has never looked back. Caitlin is thrilled to be a part of the larger than life, razzle dazzle sparkle that is the cast of Kiwifruits under the marvellous direction of the Dolphins president Simon Foley. Caitlin’s most recent roles include Loren - Bridal Shop Confessions, Freya - The Dolphin One Act Plays and Lady Ruxton - Ellerslie Theatre production of Dorian Gray.

Kat Wood
Kat Wood

as Serena

This is Kat’s first foray on the Dolphin stage. The role of Serena has been a good challenge for her for two reasons. Number 1: Serena is nothing like Kat in real life, she really is a nice person! Number 2: she is taking part in this production while simultaneously planning her wedding which is happening within the next six months! Not only does she have a passion for theatre, she is also a dab-hand at doing cross-stitch. Is there nothing Kat can’t do?

Amrit Soma
Amrit Soma

as Tatania

Amrit took a 10-year break from Musical Theatre to pursue a career in Travel & Tourism. He has appeared as Lady Armilade PTC Dusty, The Original Pop Diva 2022, the voice of Audrey Two in PPA Little Shop of Horrors 2022 as well as CTC Priscilla Queen of the Desert 2022. He is so excited to be doing a play for the first time and wants to thank everyone at the Dolphin Theatre for this amazing experience. Amrit is also a fabulous Drag Queen, known as the one and only Lady Armilade.

Rochelle Cowie
Rochelle Cowie

as Erica

Performing with Drag Queens has been a life-long wish for Rochelle, which has finally been able to be granted. After many, many hours spent hanging around at various drag performances over the years, she is now able to use some of the moves she’s observed to help her develop her character of Erica. She has most recently appeared at Dolphin in The Comedy of Errors in 2022 and At the Sign of the Crippled Harlequin in 2020. She elected not to write a bio, so some creative licence may have been used in the writing of this.

Dolphin theatre is a community theatre and is run entirely by volunteers.
All acting roles are unpaid.