New Comedy MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE to Premiere at The Court This April

The world première of the comedy MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE by award winning writer Carl Nixon opens at The Court Theatre on 9th April.

MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE tells the story of Matthew, who in the midst of a mid-life crisis has a cosmic - and spiritual - experience in the Organic, Ethnic and Gluten Free aisle of his local supermarket. This profound change cannot be accepted by Joanne, his wife and Mark, his best friend and business partner. Luke never appears on stage - you just have to have faith that he exists.

The play was commissioned by The Court in 2014. Carl Nixon has been perfecting the script through revisions and development and honed the rich nugget into this polished piece.

"I wanted to programme a sophisticated New Zealand comedy and when the right one couldn't be found The Court commissioned Carl to write one," says Court Artistic Director, Ross Gumbley. "From his very first draft, Carl caught the genre we were after. A very funny, contemporary, sophisticated comedy. Reminiscent of the plays of the French writer Yasmina Reza, who wrote Art and God of Carnage."

MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE is a comedy about faith and its virtues, or otherwise, in our modern world. Carl Nixon says "I wanted to write an amusing play about an important issue. What are the values we live by and where do they come from? What happens when our values rub up against those of our friends and family?"

To bring this sparkling new play to the stage The Court has assembled a stellar team. Steven Ray takes the reins as director. Steven last played on The Court stage as an actor in Mary Poppins. His last direction for The Court was another Carl Nixon comedy The Birthday Boy.

Tom Peters, fresh from his critically acclaimed portrayal of Banquo in Macbeth, takes the central role of Matthew. "This has been a real delight for me to come to The Court and act in two such diverse plays. To be able to go from the tragedy of Macbeth to the hilarity of MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE has been a real blessing."

Luanne Gordon is taking the role of Tom's wife, Joanne - who is both new age and neurotic. Luanne will be known to Christchurch audiences for her many film and television roles including Hope and Wire, Shortland Street and The Strip. Rounding out the cast is Dunedin actor Phil Vaughan, who plays Matthew's business partner Mark, a man for whom life is a breeze - providing he has the latest model iphone, tablet and European sports car.

MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE will play at The Court Theatre from 9th April through till 7th May.

IF YOU GO:

MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE AND JOANNE?
Directed by Steven Ray
On the Tonkin and Taylor Main Stage at The Court Theatre
9 April - 7 May 2016

Cast:

· Tom Peters: Matthew Sullivan

· Luanne Gordon: Joanne Sullivan-Smith

· Phil Vaughan: Mark Ray

Production Team:

· Carl Nixon: Playwright

· Steven Ray: Director

· Nigel Kerr: Set Designer

· Sarah Douglas: Costume Designer

· Giles Tanner: Lighting Designer

· Sean Hawkins: Sound Designer

· Christy Lassen: Properties Co-ordinator

· Jo Bunce: Stage Manager

· Hamish Oliver: Music Editing

· Ronny Hiller: Operator

Show Times:

- Opening Night: Saturday 9th April, 7.30pm

- Post Show Forum: Monday 11th April, 6.30pm

- Matinee: Saturday 30th April, 2.00pm

- Monday & Thursday: 6.30pm

- Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday & Saturday: 7.30pm

To Book phone 03 963 0870 or visit www.courttheatre.org.nz. Tickets $57-$28.