Phoenix Theatre is making sure 'The Pink Hammer' nails the laughs. From 30 October to 8 November, the PumpHouse Theatre will host nine performances of this sharp Kiwi comedy by Michele Amas. Tickets start at $27, and with two weekend matinee performances, local audiences will enjoy a much-loved play brought to life by a talented North Shore and Auckland cast and crew.
Set in Woody’s 'man-cave' shed, four very different women arrive expecting to attend a carpentry course organised by his newly absent wife. Instead, they find Woody, a gruff, reluctant host who is forced to open his space and his life to these women who challenge everything he knows about himself. What follows is a hilarious clash of personalities, peppered with quick one-liners, plenty of humour, and moments of surprising poignancy.
Director Kate Birch says the show’s strength lies in the characters and their relatability. “You have five people in one shed, all with different expectations of life. What they get is nothing like they imagined – that’s where the comedy sparks.” Struck from the outset by how funny, sharp, and moving the script is, she knew immediately she wanted to direct it. "Rehearsals are so much more than blocking and line runs; the cast spends time breaking down barriers during warm-ups. By connecting as people first and characters second, the ensemble has created an environment in which digging deeper feels natural."
For Zara Gilbert (Siobhan), depth begins with authenticity. Growing up in New Zealand with strong Irish family ties, the lilting accent comes naturally, but by focusing on details that enhance the humour, she adeptly avoids slipping into cliché. She delights in how Siobhan bursts onto the stage, “loud, exciting and fun”, before gradually revealing vulnerability. “You see her fizzing with energy, but the layers drop, and you witness the heart of the human beneath.”
Vikki Cottingham (Annabel) returns to the role, having previously played her in Titirangi in 2019. Annabel can be blunt, to the point of tactlessness, but Vikki admires her conviction. "Revisiting the character has given me the chance to go further, exploring Annabel’s insecurities and her need for connection. It’s a blessing to have a second chance,” she says. “This time I’m delving deeper – she has so many layers to explore and perform.”
Liz Cannon takes on Helen, a role that resonated immediately due to her fierce independence. The character undergoes one of the most striking transformations in the play. At first aloof, even abrasive, Helen softens into a figure of warmth and care. “By the end, her maternal instincts win over. That shift is such an incredible journey to portray.” She adds with a laugh that if anyone is likely to crack up on stage, it might be her: “The script is so funny... even honest 'corpsing' feels real on stage!”
Rebecca Wright brings charm and honesty to the naive Louise. For her, the script’s appeal is its balance of heart and humour. “It’s got a bit of everything; strong characters, quirky moments and real warmth.” She particularly enjoys Louise’s confessional streak, especially when too much wine leads to a little too much truth. Rebecca has loved the rehearsal process, praising Kate’s positive energy and the strong camaraderie among the cast.
At the centre of it all is Woody, played by Braydon Priest. He admits he first encountered the play expecting light comedy, only to be surprised by its depth. “I saw it at The Court Theatre in Christchurch and thought it was a Kiwi laugh. But then you realise the transformations are profound. That stuck with me.” Now, as an actor, he’s working to avoid caricature and instead create a Woody who feels real. “I grew up rural, so I understand him, but I’m naturally flamboyant. The challenge is finding the truth of his masculinity without leaning on stereotypes.”
Strong praise and respect are also due to the set team, who are going to extraordinary lengths to make the shed look, feel and even smell authentic. The design includes details like faded tools and cluttered shelves that evoke real Kiwi garages many will recognise. “There’ll be things that make people say, ‘My grandad had one of those'. The level of detail is incredible – the shed will be a character in itself.”
The humour of 'The Pink Hammer' is rooted in truth. A favourite line comes when Woody laments knowing “more about personal summers, weight gain, hair loss, and dry watootsies than any man should ever know,” capturing both the comedy and the play’s frankness about real life. Yet for all its laughs, the play consistently returns to deeper themes of belonging, identity and resilience. Each character undergoes a transformation, reminding audiences that even the most hostile people can change when others hold a mirror up to them. As Kate puts it, “These are recognisable Kiwi characters, and we laugh because we know them.”
The sense of recognition is enhanced by the local flavour of this production. With many of the cast and crew hailing from the North Shore, the show feels rooted in the community it will be playing to. The Phoenix Theatre team often speaks about the importance of community theatre, not just as entertainment but as a way of bringing people together. For them, this production is as much about belonging offstage as it is on.
As rehearsals head into the final stretch, the mood in the rehearsal space is one of joy, focus and camaraderie. The cast look forward to coming together three times a week, inspired by one another and energised by their shared work. Braydon sums it up: “You look at everyone else and think, I want to be as good as they are. That builds success. I know we’ve got something special.”
When the curtain opens at The PumpHouse, audiences will see not just a Kiwi comedy about power tools and paint swatches, but a heartfelt celebration of people finding their place. With its mix of wit, warmth and uniquely New Zealand flavour, 'The Pink Hammer' promises to leave audiences with sore cheeks from laughter and, perhaps, a lump in the throat.
The Pink Hammer runs at The PumpHouse Theatre, Takapuna, from 30 October to 8 November. Tickets start at $27, with matinee performances available. Book now at pumphouse.co.nz/pink
