THE TUTOR – sharp kiwi satire

THE TUTOR – sharp kiwi satire

The debut production of The Eureka Trust 2009 Forge Season is an intelligent contemporary kiwi comedy: Dave Armstrong’s THE TUTOR.

This critically-acclaimed play from the writer of Niu Sila, Seven Periods With Mr Gormsby and Bro’ Town depicts the collision of personalities and politics when a self-made millionaire hires a washed-out, Daihatsu-driving hippy to save his rebellious teenage son’s math grades. The result is a comedy of (bad) manners with heart.

Playing the role of stereotypical JAFA John Sellars – an entrepreneur whose hard living and fast-talking has definitely rubbed off on his son - is TV and radio personality Phil Vaughan. Vaughan describes himself as a “relative newcomer” to the stage but has thoroughly enjoyed the process. “For most of my career I’ve just been me,” says the Big Wednesday host, “it’s great to spend your day being someone else – when I get home I sit down and think ‘so when do I start work?’”

Vaughan describes Sellars as “the typical kiwi bloke – he talks in circles, suppresses his emotions, but lets a lot of it out once he’s had a few drinks”. Vaughan found plenty of inspiration for his wheeling-and-dealing character “from people I met in the TV game - where there are lots of guys like [Sellars]”.

Markus Hoetjes plays John’s son Nathan: a fifteen year-old whose lack of mathematical skills are more than compensated for by his smart mouth and ability to make deals. Rounding out the cast is Jon Pheloung as the titular “PC-lefty teacher” who finds himself both repulsed and enticed by the Sellars’ world of wealth and excess. Vaughan has nothing but praise for his co-stars: “by day two we were completely comfortable with each other – it’s fantastic to be working with such a great team”.

Associate Artistic Director and director of THE TUTOR, Lara Macgregor is quick to applaud the cast’s abilities and the strength of the script. “While THE TUTOR is a satire, there is much depth to it. At its heart of the story is a father’s love for his son.” Macgregor feels that “the core of the play gives more weight to the piece than most comedies. The actors keep their characters grounded in reality even as they deliver Armstrong’s hilarious lines”.

Set in an affluent suburb of Auckland – a location Macgregor feels “fits the play perfectly” - Julian Southgate’s set design creates a waterfront view, functional bar (and even a functional spa pool) in the intimate settings of The Forge.

Providing the soundtrack for THE TUTOR is local DJ Benet Hitchcock – known in the Christchurch music scene as DJ Dr Hitchcock. “I approached it as if each character had their own music collection, and as the play progresses these individual styles start mixing together” says Hitchcock. Macgregor feels Hitchcock’s contribution “brought a fresh new energy to the process” and that the final result is “a cross-pollination of mediums”. Hitchcock will also be providing music at the opening night after-party.

Universally enjoyed by critics and audiences, tackling politics, education and parenthood in one fell swoop and featuring a top-grade cast; THE TUTOR is setting the bar high with the opening production of the Eureka Trust 2009 Forge Season.

Additional information:
• THE TUTOR was commissioned by Circa Theatre and premiered at Circa Studio on 27 October 2005. It won a 2005 Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for best new New Zealand play and was performed by the Auckland Theatre Company in 2007. Author Dave Armstrong will be attending the opening night function on March 13.
• Phil Vaughan’s radio work includes MORE FM & The Breeze in Wellington, as well as a ten-year stint on the 91ZM morning crew’s nationwide breakfast slot. He has also hosted several TV shows including GOOD MORNING, WHAT NOW and is currently the host of BIG WEDNESDAY.

Reviews of previous productions:
“This comedy rocks… a tight, provocative and exceedingly funny piece of theatre” – The Wellingtonian
“…laugh out loud upwardly mobile Kiwi satire.” – Newstalk ZB
“…full of topical one-liners that make fun of both left and right” – Dominion Post

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