Death & Taxe$ – Mana Little Theatre

Death & Taxe$ poster, artwork by Blair McLean

Dates: 9th – 19th September 2020

Playwright: April Phillips

Director: Marion Rosner

Synopsis

This dark comedy takes place in the office of a life assurance company. It is set in New Zealand around 2010.

Gareth Burke is Destiny Life’s top agent for 3 years in a row, and wants to win the trip to Hawaii and take gorgeous receptionist Tiffany with him. But Lucille Potts is determined to be the first female agent to top the sales figures and has a supernatural plan to ensure victory. Before he can take the prize, Gareth must overcome the obstacles in his path – with an over-bearing wife, a manic-depressive corporate motivator, the police and the Inland Revenue to name a few!

Cast

Actor	Character
Craig Haywood	Gareth Burke
Kirsty Justice	Tiffany Martin
Jodie Mahan	Enid Burke
Chris Balm	Bob Greene
Fiona Popert	Lucille Potts
Nick Gibbs	Douglas Graves
Blair McLean	Ted Patchett
Anne McMullin	Elizabeth Battersea

Crew

Director	Marion Rosner
Production Manager	Sue Miller
Stage Manager	Sally Ratchford
Wardrobe	Sue Miller, Kythie Morris
Props	Debbie Williams
Prompt	Debbie Williams
Lighting and sound design	Marion Rosner
Lighting operation	Benjamin Forrest
Sound operation	Benjamin Forrest
Set design	Marion Rosner
Set build	Bruce Cannell, Ross Miller
Set paint	Sue Mortimer
Photography	Adam Rosner
Publicity	Natalie Plowman
Original artwork	Blair McLean

Photos

We welcomed playwright April Phillips to MLT for closing night and a Q&A session following the show. L to R standing: Blair McLean (Ted Patchett), Chris Balm (Bob Greene), Jodie Mahan (Enid Burke), Kirsty Justice (Tiffany Martin), Chad Rocket in banner format!, April Phillips (playwright), Marion Rosner (Director), Craig Haywood (Gareth Burke). L to R kneeling: Anne McMullin (Elizabeth Battersea), Fiona Popert (Lucille Potts), Nick Gibbs (Douglas Graves).

What's got Lucille all hot and bothered? — What’s got Lucille all hot and bothered?
L to R: Chris Balm as Bob Greene, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke, Kirsty Justice as Tiffany Martin, Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts.

Gareth is showing off his dance moves - he is the man! — Gareth is showing off his dance moves – he is the man!
L to R: Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke.

Mr Graves introduces Mr Rocket — Doug Graves introduces his new financial fitness campaign, with buff Chad Rocket.
Nick Gibbs as Douglas Graves.

Bob is obviously making a "big" impression! — Bob is obviously making a “big” impression!
L to R: Chris Balm as Bob Greene, Kirsty Justice as Tiffany Martin, Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts.

Unluckily for Gareth, Mrs Battersea does not suffer fools gladly!
L to R: Anne McMullin as Elizabeth Battersea, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke.

Bob is somewhat unsure of his new customer Ted... — Bob is somewhat unsure of his new customer Ted…
L to R: Chris Balm as Bob Greene, Blair McLean as Ted Patchett.

Enid is loathe to let Doug go.
L to R: Nick Gibbs as Douglas Graves, Jodie Mahan as Enid Burke.

Tiffany, as usual, is being a bit of a drama queen!
L to R: Chris Balm as Bob Greene, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke, Kirsty Justice as Tiffany Martin.

Uh oh. Looks like Gareth's not feeling too well! — Uh oh. Looks like Gareth’s not feeling too well!
L to R: Kirsty Justice as Tiffany Martin, Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts, Chris Balm as Bob Greene, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke.

Ted's interrogating Lucille and Doug gets in the middle — Ted’s interrogating Lucille and Doug gets in the middle.
L to R: Blair McLean as Ted Patchett, Nick Gibbs as Douglas Graves, Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts.

Gareth lets Lucille know his true feelings.
L to R: Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke, Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts.

Why is Gareth acting like a dog?!
L to R: Fiona Popert as Lucille Potts, Anne McMullin as Elizabeth Battersea, Craig Haywood as Gareth Burke.