Keeping up with Jake in June

I’m first and foremost an actor. Writing plays is something I do that allows me to act. So, when opening night of Dirty Work in Auckland rolled around and I found myself sitting in the audience, it wasn’t an entirely comfortable place to be. I still had all my opening night jitters but nowhere to put them. The only acting involved was pretending I wasn’t feeling sick.

Thankfully the actual actors on stage were brilliant. Catherine Yates, Tessa Rao and Justin Rogers had the audience in the palm of their hands from start to finish. Musical director, Josh Clark, brought out the absolute best from the innocent choir that had turned up at Q Theatre an hour before with no idea what they were in for and proceeded to sing the house down.

As the show took hold of the audience my nerves evaporated. Through the hilarity, humanity and four-part harmony that ensued I found myself caught up in the drama like everyone else.

I know I helped write the damn thing but the synchronicity of all those parts – the set design, the lights, the costume, the music, the actors and the choir – is something you’re never quite prepared for. It’s the wonder of creation.

After Auckland, Dirty Work will hit the road on its national tour and I know with every performance, the show will just get better and better.

Try and see it – just try not to sit next to me.

 

Life’s full of plot twists – don’t miss ours! Join our mailing list and you’ll get sneak peeks at new shows, ticket deals, and stories that might just change the way you see the world. Click here to sign up!