The Magic Faraway Tree
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents
The Magic Faraway Tree
By Enid Blyton and adapted for the stage by Tim Bray
For the first time, leading children’s theatre makers Tim Bray Theatre Company brings one of the world’s best selling authors, Enid Blyton, to the stage in their adaption of The Magic Faraway Tree, playing 24 June – 15 July at The PumpHouse Theatre in Auckland.
Don’t miss the fabulous, fantastical story of Jo, Bessie and Annie as they move to the country and discover a ginormous tree in the midst of an enchanted wood. Things get really strange when they climb it and discover magical people living there, like Silky, Moon-Face and the Saucepan Man.
At the very top, a ladder leads them to magical lands which are sometimes nice (like the Land of Birthdays and the Land of Take-What-You-Want), but sometimes not-so-nice (like the Land of Tempers and the Land of Dame Slap). Along the way, the children have some thrilling adventures!
This is the first time TBTC have adapted any of Enid Blyton’s beloved books for the stage, having previously adapted works by the likes of Roald Dahl, Margaret Mahy, Joy Cowley and Spike Milligan. Tim Bray QSM first started working on the script back in 2020 for a season later that year, but Covid meant the season was cancelled. Now the company are thrilled to finally bring it to the stage three years later. The Magic Faraway Tree is based on three books in The Enchanted Wood series, this wonderful show will enchant audiences from the first minute to the last.
Cast
Raj Varma – Father/Saucepan Man
Jacque Drew – Mother/Silky
Jaeden Lawrie - Moonface
Nikeidrian Peters – Jo
Isabella Temm – Bessie
Jacinta Compton – Annie
Jacob Bainbridge – Father/Saucepan Man Alternate
Shannon Freeman – Mother/Silky Alternate
Luke Orbell – Moonface Alternate
Manunui Rainey – Jo Alternate
Gisele Proud – Bessie Alternate
Aimee Aranha – Annie Alternate
The cast is also joined by Unitec’s third year acting students as part of the partnership between the company and institute, working together to inspire the next generation of children and young people in the world of theatre.
The production will also include a lively original musical score composed by Marshall Smith (aka Marshmellow), who has previously written songs for TBTC productions The Great White Man-Eating Shark and Other Stories, We’re Going on a Bear Hunt and created the incidental music for The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch, The Santa Claus Show ‘22 and Badjelly the Witch. The many wondrous lands throughout the story have been expertly imagined for the stage by set designer Rachael Walker, costume designer Vicki Slow and lighting designer Steve Marshall.
Tim Bray Theatre Company, as the first theatre company in New Zealand to offer NZSL interpreted performances in 2004, continues to be committed to making theatre accessible for all audiences to experience the art of live performance, with The Magic Faraway Tree including NZSL-interperted, Audio Described and Sensory Relaxed performances throughout the season.
Join this mischievous and adventurous cast as they head out in search of adventure!
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents
The Magic Faraway Tree
By Enid Blyton and adapted for the stage by Tim Bray
Tickets available via www.timbray.org.nz
The PumpHouse Theatre
Killarney Park, 2a Manurere Avenue, Takapuna, Auckland
24 June – 15 July
Gala Opening: 24 June 5PM
Education Season: 26 – 30 June 10.30AM & 1PM daily
School Holiday Season: 1 – 15 July 10.30AM & 1PM daily
(no shows Sundays)
ACCESSIBLE PERFORMANCES
Sensory Relaxed Performance: Monday 10 July, 10.30AM
Audio Described Performances: Saturday 15 July, 1PM
NZSL Interpreted Performances: Saturday 24 June, 5PM and Saturday 15 July, 10.30AM