Midweek editorial: Blind Eye a class act
14 Feb, 2021 09:22 PM
5 minutes to read
Paul Brooks is editor of Whanganui Midweek, in your letterbox every Wednesdaypaul.brooks@nzme.co.nz
Apart from only having to endure alert level 2 while Auckland goes into level 3, we were also lucky enough to see veteran actors in action on the Amdram stage.
Blind Eye is a play written by former Whanganui woman April Phillips. Already that s a sound recommendation. April is a consummate playwright with that extraordinary ability to write realistic, believable dialogue and characters.
Then cast Joan and Mike Street in the lead roles with Chris McKenzie and Annie Whitfield in support, and you ve got a winner.
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3 minutes to read
In rehearsal for Blind Eye are Chris McKenzie (left), Annie Whitfield, Joan Street and Mike Street. Photo / Jacqui McKenzie
In rehearsal for Blind Eye are Chris McKenzie (left), Annie Whitfield, Joan Street and Mike Street. Photo / Jacqui McKenzie
Chris McKenzie is directing Amdram s latest production, Blind Eye, a play by April Phillips.
With a cast comprising Chris, as well as Annie Whitfield and Joan and Mike Street, there was no shortage of directorial choice when original director Talia Annear had to withdraw. Talia had already done a lot of the blocking, says Chris. Although he stepped up as director, he says it has been a real team effort.
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Chris McKenzie performing as Doctor Gull in the 2019 Amdram production of the Albert Belz play Yours Truly.
Photo / Ian Jones
Chris McKenzie performing as Doctor Gull in the 2019 Amdram production of the Albert Belz play Yours Truly.
Photo / Ian Jones
Liz Wylie is a reporter for the Whanganui Chronicleliz.wylie@whanganuichronicle.co.nzWhangaChron
Whether playing a Shakespearean lord or a pantomime dame, Chris McKenzie is a is well-known to Whanganui theatre goers.
Next month he will occupy both stage and director s chair for Amdram s production Blind Eye.