ActUp offers innovative productions, theatre plays and youth drama

Actup offers exciting and innovative short and full length productions. Many productions are entertaining theatre plays while others are shows that offer the opportunity to include music, dance or other activities. Productions have been performed by professional or local theatre companies, university dramaroups, performing arts groups, schools, or on radio.

Theatre plays combine elements of intrigue, edge and surrealism anchored with strong storylines and characters. Imagine two people sharing more than a seat on the train and only one surviving in Rail Friends, sympathise with Mrs Fish as she eats her sandwiches while sharing with us the Prime Minister's official visit to the urinal that she cleans, in Woman with Head hospital patient Draylee Slythe lets us into secrets about buying new shoes and laces, best friend Charlie Chalker, and the Talent Quest, and The Birthday Stain is about an encounter between unusual family members that leaves a gory trail.

Youth drama (previously ActUpStar plays) encourage children and young people of all ages and abilities to participate and enjoy.  Differing performance lengths, speaking and non-speaking roles, minimal settings and props, these plays have it all. And they can be easily adapted to suit production needs around numbers and settings. Use them as a main production, classroom performance or perform two or three together to make a fun stage adventure.

Information and licenses

Information and licenses to perform any of these plays or shows can be obtained by contacting Playmarket.

Other contact

Email: mark@actupinternational.com or mark@actup.co.nz

Post: 28 Creswick Terrace, Northland, Wellington 6012, New Zealand. 

Recent production/s

 

The Urinal, Mrs Fish and the Prime Ministerperformed by Queensland-based 3bCreative theatre company, won Best Production, Best Director (Anne Grant) and Best Female Actor (Joy Marshall) at the 2023 Norfolk Island Theatre Festival. Congratulations to 3bCreative for their success and to the Norfolk Amateur Theatrical Society on their 25th anniversary of this festival. Photo credit: Jennifer Smoother

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Dunstan High School students discuss their past lives in a recent production of 'The Burning of Will Bruell and Reincarnation of Ben Chuckles'. Play directed by Nick Meissel, HOD Drama. (Photos and text published with permission) 

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The play 'Rail Friends' was recently performed as part of the third-year theatre programme at Victoria University of Wellington. Travelling on board were Abby-Lee (Kas Homan, pink jumpsuit), Rachael Avis (Yasmin Clements-Levi, blue top), and Michael Robinson (Caleb O'Halloran, cap). Director was Bibi Grainer (black dress). (Photos and text supplied and published with permission) 

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Two plays, Two Gnomes, A Fishing Pole and A Crusty Tale, and The Urinal, Mrs Fish and The Prime Minister were performed in a two week season by Queensland-based @3bcreativeqld as part of their Kicking Covid's Arts season. Both shows were directed by Anne Grant. Pictured above (left to right) are the two boisterous gnomes A1127 (Rob Hobson) and Sample (John McMahon) and the unstoppable Mrs Fish (Joy Marshall).

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St Patrick’s College, Wellington Year 10 students get lost in Horrorville in a production of 'Vampires and Zombies'. Play directed by drama teacher Keely Bell. (Photos published with permission) 

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