“STINKYPOO! STINKYPOO! KNICKERS, KNICKERS, KNICKERS!” BADJELLY IS BACK WITH THE MONTY PYTHON TREATMENT
Image credit: David Rowland / One-Image.com
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents
Badjelly the Witch
By Spike Milligan
Adapted for the stage and directed by Tim Bray, QSM
2-30 July
Tim Bray Theatre Company, Auckland’s leading theatre for children, returns to the stage for a season of theatrical magic for the whole family! This winter, the company revisits a kiwi classic that oozes with comedy - Badjelly the Witch - coming to The PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna, and Māngere Arts Centre Ngā Tohu o Uenuku from 2-30 July, with tickets on sale now via www.timbray.org.nz
Kiwi kids have grown up with the story of Tim and Rose’s madcap adventure through the great black forest and into Badjelly’s castle, and this July children of Auckland can experience the electric, cult classic stage show Badjelly the Witch live! From the loony world of Spike Milligan's original tale, Tim Bray, QSM has created a Monty Python-esque comedy that sets off in search of a beloved lost cow. A quest full of twists and turns, with memorable characters and sausage turning spells. This bustling stage show will delight children and parents alike in a one-hour stage extravaganza.
Irreverent UK Comedian and Writer Spike Milligan first published Badjelly the Witch in 1973, after having originally written and hand-illustrated it for his children. The fantastical fairytale was an instant hit and has since been adapted countless times. Badjelly became particularly popular in New Zealand, where the audio drama was a mainstay on morning radio for many years and sales of the recording exceeded 40,000 units. Tim Bray’s own adaptation of the story has previously taken to the stage in 2010, 2016 and 2018, to great success, with audiences sure to be delighted to introduce the next generation of theatre-lovers to this modern classic.
“It’s a rollicking ride for an hour that is well-paced and delivers plenty of laughs for all ages...Mixing a 70s style with a dash of Monty Python, the creatives have clearly had plenty of fun in creating this larger-than-life version of Badjelly The Witch.” – Dione Joseph, Theatreview
It’s been a long year of lockdowns, cancelled plans and digital pivots, but the company is delighted to be able to return to what they do best: presenting live theatre. Spike Milligan’s tale will be brought to life in signature Tim Bray Theatre Company style - lots of laughs, larger-than-life performances, and magical music! Marshall Smith AKA Marshmellow is composing an original orchestral-style soundtrack for the production, which will be played on stage by their very own 1970's-inspired Badjelly DJ, which is sure to delight the young and young-at-heart!
“Our 2022 season was planned during the long lockdown of 2021 and this announcement has been hampered by the uncertainty of the omicron outbreak. But all our shows are heartwarming and joyous celebrations for us all to come together once more as whānau. Badjelly the Witch will be a much-needed jolt of silliness with unbridled fun, sprinkling you with joy, magic and meaning. I can’t wait to share this show with you.” - Tim Bray, QSM, Director and Playwright
Joining the company’s ensemble for this production are returning artists Kat Glass, Lucas Haugh and Tim Raby, as well as new faces to the company George Maunsell and Lily Edmonds. Rounding out the ensemble are five final year acting students from UNITEC School of Performing Arts, who will be delighting families onstage as part of their final year secondments.
As always, access and inclusion are at the heart of everything Tim Bray Theatre Company does. This upcoming performance season includes accessible performances to ensure that all children and families can experience the joy of live theatre, no matter what their access requirements are. Accessible performances of Badjelly the Witch include NZSL-interpreted performances, audio described performances with touch tours and sensory relaxed performances.
This winter, even more kiwi kids will get the chance to experience the magic of theatre, as the return to live means that the company is able to fulfil the many Gift a Seatᵀᴹ tickets that they’ve been unable to give while lockdowns kept us at home. Tim Bray Theatre Company’s Gift a Seatᵀᴹ, programme allows individuals and companies to sponsor children from low decile schools, Ko Taku Reo Deaf Education for NZSL interpreted shows, BLENNZ (Blind and Low Vision Education Network of NZ) for Audio Described performances and families from Make-A-Wish (NZ) to attend shows or participate in Youth Theatre workshops and classes at no cost. Having an opportunity to experience live theatre is a life enriching experience some children will never have without Gift a Seat™. After Aotearoa’s many lockdowns, the company has over 1500 seats to gift to children and groups who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience live performance, and the company invites audiences to donate a Gift a Seat™ when they make their booking. 1,185 Gift a Seat™ tickets to Badjelly the Witch have been funded by an Arts Grant from Creative New Zealand.
Join beloved characters like Fluffybum the Cat, Pom Pom the Dog and Binkle-Bonk the Tree Goblin as they escape Badjelly’s clutches to get home safely. Badjelly the Witch is the perfect chance to get the whānau together and head on an adventure with Tim Bray Theatre Company this winter!
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents
Badjelly the Witch
The PumpHouse Theatre
Killarney Park, 2a Manurere Avenue, Takapuna
2 – 23 July
Education groups $13- $15
Public performances $21.50 - $45.00*
Available via www.timbray.org.nz
Gala Opening
Sat 2 July, 5pm
Education Season
Mon 4 – Fri 8 July
10.30am & 1pm daily
School Holiday Season
Sat 9 – Sat 23 July
10.30am & 1pm daily
(no shows Sundays)
Māngere Arts Centre Ngā Tohu o Uenuku,
Cnr Bader Drive and Orly Avenue, Māngere
Public season - beginning of Term 3
26 - 30 July
10.30am & 1pm daily
Education groups $11.00*
Public $18.00 - $20.50*
Available via www.timbray.org.nz
*booking fees apply
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE
Sensory relaxed performance:
Wednesday 6 July, 10.30am, The PumpHouse Theatre (school groups only)
Monday 18 July, 10.30am, The PumpHouse Theatre
Thursday 28 July, 1.00pm, Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku (school groups only)
Audio described performances:
includes touch tour one hour pre-show
Tuesday 5 July, 1.00pm, The PumpHouse Theatre
Saturday 23 July, 1.00pm, The PumpHouse Theatre
Wednesday 27 July, 10.30am, Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
Saturday 30 July, 1.00pm. Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku
NZSL-interpreted performances:
Gala Night - Saturday 2 July, NZSL-interpreted 5.00pm, The PumpHouse Theatre
Thursday 7 July, 10.30am: NZSL-interpreted & Deaf Touch Tour, The PumpHouse Theatre
Thursday 7 July, 1pm: NZSL-interpreted & Deaf Touch Tour, The PumpHouse Theatre
Saturday 23 July, 10.30am: NZSL-interpreted, The PumpHouse Theatre
Saturday 30 July, 10.30am: NZSL-interpreted, Māngere Arts Centre - Ngā Tohu o Uenuku