Finlay Tomkins and Mitchell Lobb's performance of an pivotal scene in Nick Dear's play, Frankenstein has continued to wow audience goers, this time in Arrowtown.
TheatreFest National Presiden Bryan Aitken said that:
TheatreFest is an important theatrical event on the Theatre New Zealand calendar. For some 80 years, it has created a forum for new actors, directors, playwrights to ply their skills alongside more established practitioners, enjoying professional feedback and upskilling in a supportive and dynamic atmosphere.
The adjudicator provides mākohakoha, the giving of their talents, experience and insights, into the works entered in the festival at every level, as they pass through the system.
Over the weekend, our Drama Department, consisting of actors Finlay Tomkins and Mitchell Lobb, as well as crew members Dana Wister, Brie Monk, Ms Grills and myself, headed to Arrowtown for the Lower Southland Island Regionals. Adult, University of Otago and secondary school theatre pieces featured across the two performance days from groups from as far as Christchurch, Dunedin, and Queenstown.
We were absolutely stoked to come away with two more awards, one for Excellence in Acting (Finlay Tomkins) and an Excellence in Overall Design (Dana Wister, for the creature make-up effects).
It was a huge weekend, but an amazing opportunity to showcase the wonderful mahi and talents of rangatahi in our performing arts.
Adjudicator Hilary Norris commented in her adjudicator's report that:
- The scene requires a huge physical and vocal performance from the Creature and a feeling of duality as Frankenstein truly confronts what he has created.
- Finlay and Mitchell's scene had superior depth of characterisation and understanding of the internal lives of the characters.
- The makeup artistry on display for the Creature was outstanding.
- The costuming was also thoroughly thought through and showed in a really nuanced way the vast differences in the characters.
- This play had a great sense of theatre and was a brave choice.
Lots of wonderful feedback and we look forward to competing in Theatrefest again next year.
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