A theatre show written from a hospital bed and starring local school kids is set to dazzle Paeroa Baptist Church for two performances this weekend.
Snow White and the Magic Mirror is the inaugural production by Paeroa Youth Theatre, which was formed in April by Christine Deverne who moved to Paeroa from Auckland in 2020.
“I used to do a lot of children’s theatre when I lived in Auckland and after a production of Little Red Riding Hood at the end of last year at Paeroa Little Theatre, I could see there was a demand, the kids loved it,” she said.
“I wondered what Paeroa Youth Theatre’s first show would be, so I started writing it in the hospital [in April and May] when I was bored.”
Christine said Covid-19 messages while in hospital provided inspiration for some Snow White and the Magic Mirror characters, which include Leprechaun-Omni named after Omicron and Corona the Wizard named after coronavirus.
The production was also inspired by fairytales but Christine said audiences shouldn’t expect it to be like Disney.
“Snow White and The Magic Mirror is Queen Charity, who wishes for a child and the Magic Mirror gives her one which is Snow White, and at the celebration of her birth, Corona the Wizard gets forgotten so he takes over and casts a spell,” she said.
“He turns everybody into slaves but Snow White is the only one who has the magical power to break the spell but they have to wait until she grows up.”
Christine said all eight children from Waihī College and St Joseph’s Catholic, Miller Avenue, Netherton and Hikutaia schools who auditioned at the end of May for the production were cast. They have been rehearsing every week since the end of June.
“These kids are so enthusiastic and they’re doing so well,” she said.
“Part of what we’re doing is we’re teaching theatre manners, what’s expected and channelling their energy.
“Theatre builds teamwork, it builds confidence, it lets them express themselves and we’ve got some talented singers who’ve never sung before.”
Christine said the production’s music was written by her cousin and New Zealand composer Gary Deverne, and produced by Paeroa musician Wayne Morrison.
“It’s going to be a very fun show, please come along and support these talented youngsters,” Christine said.
DETAILS: The performances are scheduled to be held at Paeroa Baptist Church on Wood St at 6pm on September 2 and 11am on September 3. Tickets: Adults $10, and children can enter with a donation, with funds raised going towards church hire and costume costs.
