Next year marks the 70th anniversary of the founding of one of east Auckland’s most beloved and popular artistic institutions.
And it will be 50 years since the building Howick Little Theatre (HLT) calls home in Lloyd Elsmore Park was first opened on July 28, 1974.
The theatre was launched in the front room of Alma Woods’ house on June 29, 1954.
Seven successful decades on and the production line-up for its jubilee year in 2024 was recently announced at a function at the theatre.
HLT president Laurie Mills says: “At Howick Little Theatre, we pride ourselves on the quality and variety of our productions, and in 2024, we will be staging five wonderful plays to entertain, uplift, and challenge our audiences.”
Next year’s season will get under way with the play Grand Horizons by Bess Wohl, opening on February 24.
The touching comedy is directed by Penel Keegan and centres on a retired couple who are re-evaluating their marriage, helped, or hindered, by their adult children.
Next up is the mystery thriller Aurelia, written by Robert Thomas and directed by Arthur Young.
The theatre says the production, playing from May 4, is “full of twists and turns”.
“Just who is Aurelia and what is she up to in a remote Cotswolds cottage belonging to her aunt?
“This one will certainly appeal to Agatha Christie fans.”
Opening on July 6 is Laura Eason’s adaptation of Jules Verne’s fun-filled and family-friendly classic adventure story Around the World in 80 Days.
Directed by Nathan Hey, it tells the story of the famous fictional character Phileas Fogg, who with his loyal valet Passepartout encircles the globe, all within the Howick Little Theatre stage.
The fourth play is a “heartfelt and poignant journey about love, trust, and changing times for a typical family”.
Things I Know To Be True is written by Andrew Bovell, directed by Emma Love, and plays from September 7.
Rounding out the year is the chaos and comedy of Worst Wedding Ever “where everything can, and does, go wrong as a family plan to hold a cut-price wedding in their back garden”.
The Chris Chibnall play is directed by Ashton Brown and opens on November 9.
The theatre is offering people the chance to buy tickets with a Showcard Subscription that allows them to see all five productions during 2024 for $130.
And starting from 2024, all subscribers will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite show, resulting in the ‘Showcard People’s Choice Award’.
Go online to www.hlt.nz to buy a Showcard Subscription.
