Curtains up, family style

_{When you read through the cast and crew list of Tauranga Repertory Society's latest production "Nell Gwynn" one name repeats six times.} 

_{Three generations of the Weatherley family are involved and it's led to some fun moments on stage at 16th Ave Theatre, according to director Dennis Fenwick. "Xavier Weatherley is the 14-year-old in charge of props on-stage and one day he needed to check something with Rob Weatherley, the stage manager and he began the query with: 'Hey Poppa...'    From then on Rob became Poppa to everyone," said Fenwick.} 

_{Rob's wife Delwyn is the production manager, their son Brendon is lead actor and their daughter-in-law Laura is choreographer.  Twelve-year-old granddaughter Amber is the call steward who ensures actors are on-stage at the right time.  Fenwick jokes that: "if the Weathrleys pulled out, we'd be in deep trouble".}  

_{"I've been in theatre since I was 15 and mum and dad followed me into it", said Brendon Weatherley, who plays King Charles II.   " They beame more involed than me.   My wife Laura has been a director so we've worked on shows together"}

_{Normally, Brendon and Laura head away to rehearsls leaving the kids at home, but this time the youngsters asked to be involved.}   

"It's good to be in that environment with the whole family," said Xavier.     

Amber agrees:  "it's not what I expected but it is a fune experience". 

"Work and life are so busy, so it's nice for us to be able to ome together for a shared passion" said Laura Weatherley.   

"Everyone is important in a show" said Rob.   "From the person who makes the tea, right through to the lead actor on stage.   It's a real team effort." 

Debbie Griffiths  -  Weekend Sun   15 October 2024