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 Bert the Rooster (Alan Knight) is admired by the Pianist (Anne Willmann). Photo: Gulf News
In a tumble-down, dark and spooky old theatre in the middle of Oneroa four island strays, seeking their fame and fortune, find something very different indeed... So goes the premise for The Oneroa Town Musicians. Add the Eastern Motorway, development concerns and, of course, the ever-vexing question of rooster rights, and hey presto, Waiheke’s annual pantomime takes shape for 2004. Many of the cast from last year’s successful Jack and the Genetically Modified Beanstalk have returned for this year’s modified Brothers Grimm tale. Rebekah Tysoe and Vrnda Torckler once again take on the roles of Principal Boy and Principal Girl (Nigel Lentil and Vexatia Stoat), assisted by animal friends Baldrick the Dog (Cory Martin), Duncan the Shakespeare-obsessed Donkey (Alex Duncan), the cynical cat Mr Fluffy (Bruce Davis-Goff) and Bert the Rooster (Alan Knight). It’s Philip Symonds’ turn to show off his legs as the Dame, while Jan Scott and Mark James lead the pantomime version of the Waiheke Choral Society and Rob Legg-Bagg is the first Mayor of the republic of Waiheke. Young actors Tanya Wendel-Symonds, Nikki Wendel-Symonds, Iain Moroney, Thomas Moroney and Emmy Davis-Goff have a significant part to play as Waiheke TV, satirising, commenting and generally making a bit of a nuisance of themselves. A notable newcomer in this cast is Ben Middlemiss, who was previously the company’s lighting and technical guru until taking on a small part as the Priest in August’s production of Twelfth Night. He returns now in a major role as evil sidekick and ‘anti-dame’ Maggie Pie.  Bert, Duncan (Alex Duncan) and Mr Fluffy (Bruce Davis-Goff) check the Gulf News for jobs that aren't in cafes. Photo: Gulf News
"The wandering kazoo orchestra is likely to be a new and interesting experience for the audience", says director Alan Knight. He strongly recommends theatregoers book ahead for this panto. Last year tickets sold out, and seating capacity in the theatre is smaller since its recent redesign. Normal ticket prices will be $10/$6 and are on sale now. Tickets for the closing night fundraiser go on sale Nov 26; they will be $20/$10. Profits from this show will be donated to Whittakers Musical Museum.
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