Howick Little Theatre is closing the curtain on its 2023 season with a heart-warming production of pre-eminent Canadian comic playwright Norm Foster’s Old Love.
It’s directed by Tracey Holdsworth and stars a small but talented cast comprised of actors Mark Bishop, Anna Baird, Amy Cotter, and Henry Warner.
The theatre says the play will show audiences “why you should never give up on love”.
“Howick Little Theatre invites you to step back in time to 1980 and experience a long, and sometimes chaotic, romantic courtship in its upcoming season of Old Love.
“It’s a timeless comedy about hope, broken hearts, rekindled romance, and how it’s never too late to take a second chance on love.
“Bud Mitchell, portrayed by Mark Bishop, is a hardworking salesman who’s smitten with Molly Graham from the very first time he meets her. Molly, played by Anna Baird, barely notices him.
“The trouble is, they’re both already married at the time.
“Nearly three decades later, the now-divorced Bud discovers Molly’s husband has died so he makes up his mind to finally convince her they belong together.”
While much of the play’s story is set in 2005 there are flashbacks to three meetings between Bud and Molly in the early 1980s.
Younger versions of the two characters are played by Henry Warner and Amy Cotter respectively.
Baird, Warner and Cotter also portray multiple other characters who influence the unsuspecting couple’s lives across the decades, the theatre says.
“As Bud and Molly get to know one another, the play explores themes of hope and forgiveness as Foster’s clever and witty dialogue celebrates the pursuit of the kind of love that ‘makes you breathe just a little bit faster’.”
Holdsworth says she’s thrilled to be directing Old Love, the final play in Howick Little Theatre’s 2023 season.
“I’m a bit of a hopeless romantic, so the chance to direct such a wonderful romantic comedy about hope and the quest for love was something I jumped at.”
Its script resonated with her from the very beginning, she says.
“I really enjoyed Old Love from the first time I read it. The characters are lovely and there are some sweet, poignant moments, as well as some great laugh out loud ones.
“I’m fortunate to be working with four fantastic actors, who are as passionate about the play as I am.
“We’ve had a lot of fun putting this production together and I know audiences will love Bud and Molly’s story as much as we do.”
- Old Love
Directed by Tracey Holdsworth
Howick Little Theatre, 1 Sir Lloyd Drive, Pakuranga
Season: November 11 to December 2, with shows at 8pm, and 2pm matinees on November 12 and 19
www.hlt.org.nz
