Newsletter Oct 2026
Below is the news that we sent out on October 5, 2026
Welcome to the latest newsletter from
Pukekohe Performing Arts!
Pukekohe Performing Arts!
We are delighted to reconnect with our vibrant community, and I am personally thrilled to step back into the role of President after a space of two decades (when we were known as The Pukekohe Light Opera Club) and reuniting with this wonderful organization is a true joy for me.
A busy year
This past year has been incredible for our venue. We had the privilege of hosting visiting performers, providing a vibrant home for the youth group ‘Rising Stars’, and welcoming Pukekohe High School for their annual production. We have also been proud hosts to ‘Vocal Frenzy’, who, at the moment, are a group women who meet every Monday and ‘sing’ for enjoyment.
Looking forward
As 2026 draws to a close, our committee is looking ahead to 2027. Our exciting lineup starts in April with Wyrd Sisters by Terry Pratchett (see story below), a concert from Vocal Frenzy, and we are looking at a major musical to be presented in October.
Re-establishing musicals has been a key goal for us, and we cannot wait to bring live musical theatre back to our stage. Other events are being considered and those will be announced in due course.
Re-establishing musicals has been a key goal for us, and we cannot wait to bring live musical theatre back to our stage. Other events are being considered and those will be announced in due course.
Get involved
Whether you are a longtime supporter or new to our community, there has never been a better time to release your creative spirit by getting involved – whether on stage, behind the scenes, or in the audience. Thank you for your continued support, and I look forward to greeting you at The Harrington Theatre very soon!
Megan Barry – Club President
Something Wyrd this way comes …
Audition Dates:
November 2026 –
8, 11, 15
8, 11, 15
Show Dates:
April 2027 –
2, 3, 9, 10, 11, 16, 17, 18
By Evie Housham, Director
A Little Terry
Years ago I saw a poster, stuck to a lamp post, announcing that Wyrd Sisters was being performed at our local community theatre. I was intrigued as I had only read books by Terry Pratchett and was a huge fan. Our family went, sat on seats made of planks, ate hot pies in the interval and loved every mad minute of it.
Have you heard of the Discworld? A flat world, resting on the back of four elephants who stand on the shell of a giant turtle floating through space? By Terry Pratchett? Yes? Excellent. But if you’ve never ventured into the Discworld, you’re in for a treat.
Pratchett’s novels are wonderfully ridiculous, and sharply observant of a world populated by witches, wizards, thieves, fools, assassins, the Patrician, trolls and an assortment of beings who are remarkably like us, only slightly more magical. His tales are humorous and slightly dark. But also clever, warm and surprising, with plenty to say about power, prejudice, friendship, responsibility and what it means to be a decent human being (or non-human being).
A Little Magic
One of the best-loved sub-series of Discworld is about Witches. Wyrd Sisters, is Pratchett’s gloriously irreverent take on Shakespearean tragedy, fairy tales and the classic tale of a kingdom in trouble. There are three witches, a lost crown, usurpers, ghosts, actors, and a plot that refuses to behave itself. In 1991, a community theatre in Abingdon, Oxon, England, were the first company to dramatise Wyrd Sisters. It was a sell out. Since then there’s not a year goes by without some company in the world putting it on, and now it’s our turn.
Now this is where you come in …
I’m looking for about 25 people to bring this play to life. Not only the people on the stage but behind the scenes too. Because, honestly, without all those wonderful people behind the scenes the actors would be standing naked on stage in the dark (and that’s another style of theatre entirely).
You don’t need to be a Pratchett fan — you just need to be curious, willing to commit, to play and have some fun. All levels of theatre experience are welcome, whether you’ve spent years on stage or backstage, or have always thought “love to give that a go”. I want to hear from you.
Auditions are in November 2026, rehearsals begin in January 2027 (either in person or on Zoom) and the show goes up April 2 – 18, Friday to Sunday.
Email me with your interest (button below) and I will send you further details about the characters and expectations (design, crew and auditions).
Character roles (ages):
Granny Weatherwax: a witch (55+)
Nanny Ogg: a witch (55+)
Magrat Garlick: a witch (18-30)
Verence: late King of Lancre (40+)
Leonal Felmet: Duke of Lancre (35+)
Lady Felmet: Duchess of Lancre (35+)
Vitoller: an actor-manager (40+)
A Fool: a fool (18-30)
Tomjon: son of Terence (18)
Hwel: a playwright
Ensemble: Sergeant; Mrs Vitoller; Demon; Robbers; Players; Guests; Guards; Peasants.
Crew roles (some already filled):
Director: Evie Housham
Production Manager: Wendy Hanson
Music / sound director: Sharon Tuapawa
Stage Manager
Backstage crew
Costume manager / maker
Set / props manager: Shady Lane
Set builders
Props finder / builders
Set painters
Lighting designer / operator: Ross Housham
Sound operator
Membership Fee Update
Individual $35
Child / Student (18 years and under) and Seniors $25
Child / Student (18 years and under) and Seniors $25
Family $70(two plus two living in the same household)
Member Benefits:
Perform on the stage.
Be a crew member.
Buy pre-sales tickets.
Vote at the AGM.
Become a committee member.
Have your say about how your theatre is run.
Additional Member benefits will be published in the next newsletter
Your ongoing support is very much appreciated
Housekeeping
If you are still interested in what we have to show and say, hooray! We look forward to bringing you more stories and music to intrigue and entertain you. However, if your interests have moved on please unsubscribe (link below) so that we don’t fill your ‘in’ box with stuff you don’t want. Thank you.