They aren’t sure if anyone will come at all. It’s a gamble. But one worth taking.

There’s an obvious gap in live theatre in Christchurch at the moment. Many theatres have been damaged or are still within the cordon. The Repertory Theatre, the Riccarton Players,  the Mill, Court Theatre… they’ve all been effected.

The Elmwood Players are lucky that their theatre is still intact. But will people want to gather under one roof for a show so soon after the quake?

That was the question directors Gary and Brian had to ask before holding auditions just days after the quake. The answer? We hope so!

I visited last Saturday afternoon as the cast and crew gathered at Elmwood Theatre to assemble the set and props. A kitchen went up. A front door. A bird cage with a yellow budgie.

I spoke with the directors and some of the cast as a hacksaw roared in the background. Co-director Gary said they decided to go ahead with Sylvia’s Wedding, hoping people would be ready for a laugh and the chance to forget about themselves for a while. Perhaps there’s no better time for a comedy, eh?

Sylvia’s Wedding 20 – 30 April 2011 from 7.30pm
Elmwood Auditorium, Aikmans Rd, Merivale