“Greedy Cat sat by the big fridge door. Meow! Meow! Meow! He wanted more.”
New Zealand’s most famous cat comes to life on stage at The PumpHouse in April for the school holidays.
Auckland’s leading children’s theatre company – Tim Bray Theatre Company, based right here in Takapuna, celebrates its 100th production since 1991 with 'Greedy Cat' by Joy Cowley. And to celebrate such a significant occasion, the show will play at five venues across Auckland from 4th April through until 23rd May 2020. After completing The PumpHouse season on Anzac Day, the show then plays at Glen Innes, Manukau, Western Springs and Māngere.
In creating the show, Tim Bray, QSM, has based his script on 10 of the Greedy Cat books by well-known New Zealand children’s author Joy Cowley (ONZ, DCNZM, OBE) adding original songs and music for an entertaining hour-long show.
Originally staged by Tim Bray Theatre Company in 2010, the cast for the 2020 season brings back to the stage Max Easey as Greedy Cat, Kat Glass as Mum and Aunt Ann, and Calum Hughes as Dad and other characters. Emma Jenkins-Purro joins the cast as Katie and Christine White is the musician.
In 2019 Max Easey debuted with the company as Timmy the Dog in 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt' and then played Lacky in 'The Little Yellow Digger'. Calum Hughes was last seen as Chris in 'We’re Going on a Bear Hunt' and Rudolph in 'The Santa Claus Show ’19'. Kat Glass was the Pirate Mum in 'The Man Whose Mother was a Pirate' by Margaret Mahy in 2019. Christine White has composed most of the songs for the Tim Bray Theatre Company since 2004 and with a recent move to Auckland is now appearing in the shows and providing a live music accompaniment.
'Greedy Cat' is the first show presented as part of Tim Bray Theatre Company’s 2020 Season of Theatre for Children. It is a fantastic programme for 2020. After 'Greedy Cat' is 'The Magic Faraway Tree' by Enid Blyton (27th June – 18th July); 'The Twits' by Roald Dahl (19th September – 10th October); 'The Santa Claus Show ’20' by Tim Bray (5-22nd December).
“Many audience members want to see more than one show a year so we have a 2020 Theatre Season subscription which allows savings of 20% on tickets,” explained Tim Bray, when announcing the dates for the year. “There is a four show subscription or a three show subscription to suit family needs. And if that is not enough, the subscription allows access to the best seats in the house and free ticket exchanges.”
Children are also encouraged to dress up as their favourite pussycat and join the costume parade prior to the school holiday or Saturday shows. It will be loads of fun for the youngsters in the school holidays.
Greedy Cat by Joy Cowley – at The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna
4th to 25th April – 10.30am and 1.00pm (Anzac Day 25th April show times 1pm and 3.30pm).
Accessible Performance Dates:
Audio Described Performances – Tuesday 7th April: 12pm Touch Tour, 1pm Audio Described Show; Saturday 11th April, 12pm Touch Tour, 1pm Audio Described Show.
New Zealand Sign Language Interpreted – Saturday 4th April, 5pm (Gala performance); Thursday 9th April, 10.30am; Saturday 11th April, 10.30am.
Sensory Relaxed Performance – Monday 13th April, 1pm.
For bookings phone 489 8360 or visit www.timbray.org.nz
