Pukekohe Performing Arts (PPA) is a non-profit organisation that caters to the wider community by providing quality productions such as Chicago, Grease, Moana Jr and Madagascar Jr.
It’s a place for thespians to come together and do what they love while having some fun and learning a few new tricks.
The Harrington Theatre, located at 2 Harrington Ave, Pukekohe has recently endured being closed since covid restrictions began in 2020 and have also had to deal with repairs and vandalism of the premises. This includes the arson of their costume storage facility which was located on Stadium Drive - next to the skate park. As a result of this they lost a large portion of antique costumes and now house what remains of our inventory in a storage facility which costing close to $4,000 per year.
This year however promises to be one to remember! Shows and performances are planned and rehearsed over a period of months and all participants are volunteers giving up their free time to assist.
“We are looking forward to 2022, everyone is excited by what is planned, but it will be hard work and we need the help of our community to support us. Lots of people have given up many hours of their time to essentially start again from scratch due to the events of the past two years. Normally our income would be supplemented by fundraising events or hiring of the premises for others to showcase their local talent however none of these were able to be done due to lockdowns.” muses Sharnie Carlyle, PPA Treasurer.
Their latest production of Little Shop of Horrors has been approved for the stage since 2019 and it was originally due to open in September 2021. It was postponed in 2020 and it had to be postponed for a second time when the Level 4 lockdown was announced in August 2021, at great expense. The majority of the costs had already been paid for as it was just a few short weeks from Opening Night.
Pukekohe Performing Arts have had a few cast members that have had to withdraw from the show for a number of different reasons, but the majority of the cast have stuck with the theatre during this difficult time and they are determined to bring this show to life. Running from February 4th through to the 19th, the show promises to be a great night out and one not to be missed.