"making theatre accessible"

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Aranui Theatre Company productions have received the highest praise over the years. We have enjoyed success in national and international festivals, winning multiple awards. Our actors have all had experience performing for school-age audiences. Here is a small sample of endorsements:

"The staff and children of Maihiihi School wish to thank Aranui Theatre Company for their superb performance of 'Once Upon A Pie', which they performed at our school ... The troupe entertained, enthralled and excited our students, who became totally involved in the performance. Our students, who range from 5 - 13 years, and all enjoyed the performance. As a small rural school, we appreciated the fact that the performers came to our school, instead of us having to travel in to Hamilton, which is an hour away. Thank you for such a wonderful experience of theatre and entertainment." Teacher - Maihiihi School.

"I had the opportunity to watch 'Once Upon A Pie' at Kaiapoi Borough School today. It was great to take a break from Reading Recovery and watch such an awesome show. The children loved it, as did the teachers, and we all laughed along. The cast performed brilliantly and it was great that they took the time at the end to let the children ask some questions and make comments - quite a few of them were interested in the costumes and where they came from etc.." Teacher - Kaiapoi Borough School.

"... laughs abound where no laughs ever were ... ensemble work is totally assured and their relish of the roles infectious... freshness and sparkle still pumping from their wonderfully diverting performance" THEATREVIEW - read full review here.

"I would like to thank you and your company for the excellent performance
of 'Mr and Mrs the Scottish Play', our students LOVED it. You created a
piece to entertain and educate/inspire for our young people and I would be
interested in any other production that may tour in the future. Thank you
for working so hard and making such a wonderful work." HOD Drama - Kaitaia College

The two plays were very well received by the audience and I applaud your initiative in demystifyoing and making accessible the work of Shakespeare to a wider audience ... From start to finish, they conducted themselves with flair and professionalism." HOD English - Te Wharekura o Manurewa

"Everybody here enjoyed the visit on Friday very much!  The students are still buzzing out about it.  The players were professional and fun." HOD English, Drama - Edgecumbe College

"A more creative and imaginative production would be hard to find" - Adjudicator, NZTF South Island Festival, 2008

"Wow!!! That show was great. I wish I was in the show"; "I thought your play was brilliant and funny"; "Wow!! Your show was really fantastic with neat colours, voices and costumes"; "The show you performed was amazing" - students from New Brighton Catholic School

"I've just seen Mr & Mrs The Scottish Play at SBHS! Now I feel like I'm typing with a scottish accent. I really enjoyed it. I'm sure the boys' drama teachers of the future will be chuffed that they remember people like Duncan Donuts" - Arts Co-ordinator, Southland Boys High

"WOW! Thankyou so much the group were just amazing. Our kids sat enthralled through the whole performance. Just great." - Assistant Principal, Freeville Primary

"Thank you very much for a 'WOW' performance!" - Teacher, Aranui Primary

"Style, panache and comedy ... visually a treat ... a fresh innovative approach ... many high moments of joy and creativity" - Adjudicator, NZTF District Festival 2008

"The overall orchestration was dynamic, exciting and constantly surprising from the opening scene ... to the final moments of strong pathos ..." - Adjudicator, Norfolk Island International Theatre Festival, 2007