A small group of people dedicated to the performing arts are keeping a local theatre company’s annual production going and entertaining communities in Central.

The Cromwell based Fine Thyme Theatre Company (FTTC) has a group of eight or nine core volunteers who are maintaining the company’s momentum and offering new activities.

President Katie Lindsay said the not for profit company consisted of a “good core group of people”, who put up their hands every year and “do it for the love of it”. 

“Theatre is great for mental well being and confidence,” Katie said.

The group has recently received funding from Te Hau Toka’s Connecting Communities fund* to run ‘Improv’ workshops for rangatahi. 

The fund is designed to support community-led activities and events across Queenstown, Wānaka, Cromwell, and Te Anau/Fiordland which encourage people to find ways to connect, look after themselves and each other, and have some fun.

Katie said the informal ‘Whose line is it anyway’ style course had previously been run as a pilot for adults and young people.

“We had good numbers for this… and everybody wants to come back and do it again.”

She said the funding means more people aged 11 and up can experience theatre and the benefits to mental wellbeing it can bring. 

The past couple of years had thrown up lots of challenges and it was a lot of work keeping things going, Katie said.

“There’s been sickness, with Covid, we are negotiating this, like everyone.

“We try to aim for one production each year.. we rotate between a small play at Bannockburn Hall, then [more] immersive theatre and then a musical.. which has more technical requirements.”

This year’s production Murder By Committee is about to take to the stage. It’s an original dark comedy, written and directed by local and FTTC committee member Marion Low. 

Katie said the play would resonate with people who had experience of committees and that some plot twists would entertain audiences. 

Fifteen actors star in the play, all Central locals, bar one - Dan Cullen, who is from Wānaka. 

“We’ve been unscathed so far, touch wood… [although] a few cast members [have been] out.

“The full cast got together for the first time on Sunday.”

Katie said a structured official audition process was run and everyone received parts on their own merit.

“It’s [great] to see people grow, shine, develop and relax as they rehearse.”

The FTTC vision is to be a welcoming community for all, connecting people by creating opportunities in the performing arts. 

They’re keen on connecting with any local builders to volunteer with future set building and are always on the lookout for new talent and helpers.

Contact them by email and find out more about FTTC here. 

Murder By Committee runs from August 35 to September 3 at Bannockburn Hall and adult tickets are $40 as promoted in the What's On guide.

*About the Connecting Communities Fund

Eligible not-for-profit groups can apply for up to $1,000 including GST from the fund. The funding runs three times a year, the next round opens on October 31 and closes on November 10. The funding for Connecting Communities is made possible through the Government’s Tourism Communities: Support, Recovery, and Re-Set Plan funding which is administered by the Te Whatu Ora Southern with the guidance of the Te Hau Toka Southern Lakes Wellbeing Group.

For more information, see here.