Synopsis

In this adaptation of the timeless television series, Foggy, Clegg and Compo are reunited.  Foggy has designs on winning the affections of Constance, Nora Batty's niece and the long-suffering fiancée of the hapless Gifford Bewmont.  Foggy invites the ladies around for an evening's entertainment but chaos ensues.  There is a flasher abroad who Gifford has pledged to apprehend.  Compo turns up unannounced (and uninvited) and wreaks his usual havoc.  Mistaken identity and madness unfold in this madcap comedy.

Anyone who treads the boards and who knows this wonderful BBC television series will know the characters well.  The danger in casting a play of such well-known characters is that audiences may expect them to be replicated on stage.  To a certain degree this will be hard to avoid but I want auditionees to bring their own interpretation to the roles.  Whether or not this will replicate the originals doesn't really matter so long as they are believable.  Yorkshire accents ideal - NZ accents far from it!

Penelope Elliot

DIRECTOR

I am very pleased to have been asked to direct Last of the Summer Wine.

I have directed twice at Dolphin – the first time was Over the River and Through the Woods, the second was On Golden Pond last year.

Both of these plays won Best Production – wonderful scripts and fantastic casts were the secret.  I have performed at Dolphin a few times but seem to spend most of my theatrical time at Howick Little Theatre.   It’s a pleasure to be invited back!

Foggy
Scott Harding

Scott’s last full length production was here at the Dolphin in 2011 where he played Capt Markinson in ‘A Few Good Men’, followed in the same year in the Dolphins one act season, appearing in ‘Lil’s War’.

In his spare time, Scott enjoys dabbling in portrait artwork and is currently working full time in the Theming department at Rainbow’s End Theme Park.

Scott would describe portraying Foggy as the most challenging character he has tackled on stage and is very much looking forward to working with familiar and new faces in the cast, as well as with a wonderful director.

Compo
John Kelleher

John has been a dedicated supporter, Director, Actor at Dolphin Theatre for 2 ½ decades.
Suitable acting opportunities have been scarce lately.
This script called for someone who was scruffy, opinionated, irreverent, incorrigible to play “Compo”.
John thought he could act that, the Director said “don’t act, be the person” So he added confused and became Compo.

Nora
June Britton

It is with pleasure I am cast as Nora Batty in this stage play on the well known TV series.
another challenge in character which is far from my last role as Helena Rubenstein, another transformation!
It is always a delight to be at the Dolphin where cast and crew are so supporting and an even bigger delight to be directed by Penelope.
Watch out Compo and stop looking at me legs!

Clegg
Steve Wright

Steve has had an absence from the Dolphin Theatre for some years, but regular audiences may remember Steve in some past productions such as Mervyn Kant in “The Sisters Rosensweig” for which he received an award for best supporting actor, also as Ben Katz in the Barry Spring production of  “The Cemetery Club”  and as a Director of “Via Satellite” By Antony McCarten. 
During his absence Steve spent some time in Oxford England playing some notable Shakespearean roles such as Stephano in the Tempest, at Trinity College.  While there he also directed “The Memory of Water” at Keble College.
He lists playing Pa Larkin opposite Penny Keegan (Nee Elliot) as Ma in the Darling Buds Of May”  for Howick Theatre, and Arnold in “The Boys Next Door” with Scott Harding directed by Barry Spring, as among his favourite parts

Gifford
Barrie Graham

Playing the part of Gifford Bewmont under Penny Keegan's (as always) deft directorship presents a number of notable on-stage firsts for Barrie, including bugle-blowing, bondage, and the wearing of bicycle clips. None of these represent indulgences he typically entertains often, at least not in public, and certainly not all at the same time. Probably few people do. 

He last trod the Dolphin's boards in 2014 as June Britton (Helena Rubinstein)'s husband Titus (That Woman), and before that was part of the ACTT 'Best Ensemble' cast in Memory of Water (2013). 

More recent theatrical outings include Trotter in Journey's End  (ET, 2014 directed by Steve Wright) and Ned in A Shortcut To Happiness  (2015, Titirangi Theatre). 

When not on stage Barrie bakes bread with his trusty Panasonic breadmaker, and attempts to lubricate the wheels of commerce and industry through Bank of New Zealand. 

Barrie appears courtesy of 'er indoors (Carolyn) for graciously conceding yet another theatrical leave pass. 

Pip! pip!

Constance
Ami Rose

Ami is an actor/director who has recently moved across the ditch from Sydney.
Her theatre experience began with a double major in drama at the University Of New England, followed by a Directing Diploma at NIDA (National Institute of Dramatic Art) in Sydney.
Ami has directed and performed in numerous plays and musicals throughout Australia over the years; also touring internationally with Entr 'Acte Theatre of Corporeal Mime, as well as teaching acting and movement in various drama schools across Sydney.
Last Of The Summer Wine marks Amis' first production in New Zealand and she is very excited to be a new member of the Dolphin Theatre and to be part of such a talented and experienced cast and crew!

Flasher
Mike Howell

Previously appearing as a cheating husband, drag queen and love addled tax collector, Mike further develops his character as the village flasher, or is it really that simple?
Working again with friends from his local theatre is a summer well spent.
Any time free he squanders dabbling in Philosophy and matters metaphysical. 

Director
Penelope Keegan

Production Assistant
Sherrill Allen

Stage Manager
Robyn Bull

Prompt
Ian McMahon

Set Design
Tony Brown

Set Décor
John Kelleher
Sherrill Allen

Light Design
Tony Brown

Sound Design
Ray Gabites

Wardrobe Design
Jeni Cottier
Robyn Flemming
Jocelyn McQuaid

Properties Design
Rebecca McNaughton