Court Theatre to Stage WINSTON'S BIRTHDAY

By any definition of greatness, Sir Winston Churchill fits the bill. Yet often behind a grand façade lies domestic turbulence.

On the 51st anniversary of Winston Churchill's death, The Court Theatre's production of Winston's Birthday brings together four excessive personalities from this iconic British family at a luncheon to celebrate Winston's 88th birthday in 1962. The Churchills are forced to confront half a century of unfinished family business which includes family lies, evasions and resentments.

Though they never attracted the attention of social services, the Churchills were a highly dysfunctional family. Winston, the centrifugal force, contrived to be oblivious to anything domestic. Randolph and Sarah, two of Churchill's five children doomed to live in the shadow of greatness, lived conspicuously unfulfilled and undisciplined lives. This was all too much for Churchill's perfectionist wife Clementine, who regularly fled to holiday or hospital.

Into the mix infiltrates Dr Jenkins, a fictional character whose style of scholarship and social skills symbolises the new meritocratic Britain that will render the world of the Churchills obsolete.

Winston slid very quickly from being Prime Minister (until 1955) to silent backbencher, with a gloomy view of the world and his own achievements. But occasionally the old triumphalist flame still flickered. New Zealand playwright Paul Baker has set Winston's Birthday on one of those days.?

Baker did not commence writing this play as a Churchill expert or fan but the man and his place in history got under his skin. When watching, for the first time, film of his funeral, Baker was surprised to find that when those great cranes on the Thames bowed in respect as the funeral barge passed, he became quite emotional.

Winston's Birthday has been written as an historical comedy, and director Lara Macgregor is prepared to showcase all the comic elements of this iconic yet eccentric British family. "At the heart of Winston's success is a craving for his father's approval. This launched a lifetime course of self-improvement in an attempt to achieve it," says Macgregor. "In turn, Winston's children crave the same approval from him. This play is a smart and funny imagining of what mending family rifts in pursuit of parental approval might entail. But as Clementine so aptly states - 'You cannot mend a lifetime in a lunchtime' - watch out Winston!"

Winston's Birthday is a collaboration between The Court Theatre and Fortune Theatre, by arrangement with Playmarket and sponsored by The Court Supporters.

Cast:

· Geoffrey Heath: Winston Churchill

· Yvonne Martin: Lady Clementine Churchill

· Jonathan Martin: Dr Stephen Jenkins

· Hilary Halba: Sarah Churchill - Lady Audley

· Roy Snow: Rudolph Churchill

Production Team:

· Lara Macgregor: Director

· Ahi Karunaharan: Assistant Director

· Peter King: Set Designer

· Deborah Moor: Costume Designers

· Sean Hawkins: Lighting Designer

· Giles Tanner: Sound Designer & Operator

· Jo Bunce: Stage Manager

· Christy Lassen: Properties Co-ordinator

To Book phone 03 963 0870 or visit www.courttheatre.org.nz.
Tickets $57-$23

Show Times:

· Opening Night: 7:30pm Saturday 6th February

· Forum: 6.30pm, Monday 8th February, after show with cast and crew

· Matinee: Saturday 20th February

· 6.30pm, Monday & Thursday

· 7.30pm, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday

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