It's always good to catch up with colleagues and friends at an opening or gathering for a special event at the theatre. In Wellington where I'm based presently, there's always the opportunity for get togethers with the number of venues and events going on. Although at the time of writing most of our venues are playing to limited audiences due to the current Covid Red Light system. This year has been especially challenging however I'm hoping by May/August we will be up and running again and I'll be able to push ahead with my solo show.. (And more of that later).

I was lucky in 2021 to have work for a good part of the year. Starting unexpectedly, as it often does, I took over from Shane Bosher for the 2021 Young and Hungry National schools tour. It turned into a bigger job than expected - the complete re-casting of a programme entitled 'Whaddaya' (none of the actors cast in 2020 were available) and then it was to me to collate a presentation that would suit the 4 young actors I found as replacements. (See the photo of us all in the Gallery section).

The tour wasn't without its challenges - what theatre event isn't, but we worked hard and the ensemble of 4 were totally committed to the project. After a month of intensive work and great support from Taki Rua we opened at Porrirua College to much acclaim. Then the actors were on their own and off around Aotearoa, NZ. Perhaps you were fortunate to see them perform at Bats Theatre at the culmination of the tour.

I was also meeting regularly with actor Ken Blackburn on a project that is ongoing and close to his heart.. a journey back to his childhood when at 7 years old and 9 respectively Ken and his brother escaped from various billets they were placed in during WW2 when their home city of Bristol was being heavily bombed. I can't imagine the terror and confusion of that situation especially now looking at the hideous situation developing in Ukraine in which people are having to flee for their lives, leaving behind all that is precious and my personal fear, their animals. Something that is not often considered in these conflicts.

Ken graciously offered me forward to replace him in the production, 'Elling' at Circa Theatre in August 2021. It worked out extremely well for me with little more than a week or two between the Y&H gig and hitting the boards at Circa. It was a joy to be back there as it had been many years since the last gig in that venue. Mostly my work had been at Downstage Theatre, The Court, Centrepoint and The Fortune. Plus an 18 month stint of 'The Hobbit' and a few short films thrown in for good measure. But who's complaining.

So back with good friend Jeff KB and my first working with Gavin Rutherford - such a pleasure, along with Bronwyn Turei and William Kitcher who was also on The Hobbit. A charming sensitive play, originally Norwegian and adapted by Simon Bent.

The remainder of 2021 fell apart in terms of work as my simulated patient work was postponed through Nov/Dec and sadly again in the New Year of 2022. Very hard for the graduating Registrars.

As we fly our way through March I'm wondering what next and where it might come from.

Thinking of all my colleagues as we contemplate the many changes that are occurring in and around our profession - in the work we have loved to be part of and for many of us, for soooo long.

Kia Kaha.

Image © Circa Theatre