Jennie Turner

tairuabackpackers@xtra.co.nz

Newspaper columnist for 18 years, Jennie’s writing is honest and uncensored by political correctness.

“I love laughter, music and song in my life - this is reflected in my plays.”

All are musicals, based around the Kiwi lifestyle, the satirical, sometimes ‘corny’ humour allows the audience the freedom to interact and laugh out loud - a recipe that has them coming back for more.

As Time Goes By First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2009 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours includes a 10 min break. Cast: Older people preferable, (60yrs+) 5M and 7F, all residents of the retirement village. 2 carers, 1 female manager. 1 family of any size enter at the beginning and can return at end but not necessary. Synopsis: Through satirical humour the show spends a typical week in the life of residents at the ‘Sunset Retirement Resort’. It’s a busy life, as many of the residents are active octogenarians. Could be set anywhere in New Zealand, a few local landmark references would need changing and sponsorship acknowledgements. There are numerous references to memory loss, as this was a charity performance to raise funds for Alzheimers. A static stage divided into two areas, SR ladies lounge, couch etc, SL mens chairs, table, piano, etc.	The 70’s TV Show - Live on the big screen First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Sept 2008 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break. Cast: Many multiple parts TBA Synopsis: Almost a reality show as the audience watches a typical New Zealand family watching television back in the 70’s, complete with advertisements. The set is a giant 70’s television and the family interact with the audience by entering and sitting on a couch centre front row. They watch a popular selection of everyone’s favourite shows from the 70’s. There are a few set changes, and props required. This show was produced to raise funds for charitable purposes.
The Good the Bad and the Really Ugly - A spaghetti western. First produced by Tairua Troubadours in April 2008 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break. Cast: 7M, 13F, 2 boys + 8 little children at the beg. Plus the highway entertainers who played live, 2 men and 3 women. (Many multiple parts, total parts 54) Synopsis: Local town boy, accidentally shoots the sheriff and goes on the run into the hills to lay low with the indians until the truth comes out. A common thread through the show is a group of highway entertainers on a bandwagon tour of NZ. Rave reviews. This production was a charitable event to raise funds for Breast Cancer research.	Classic Tales - rated M First produced by Tairua Troubadours in April 2007 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break. Cast: 14F, 4M + 2M cameo. Many multiple parts. Synopsis: A show full of classic tales, that have been morphed Kiwi style, until they only just resemble the original characters. eg, Snow White may be dressed in character but she talks 21st century lingo. A narrator turns the pages and introduces each new story. The thread throughout is Snow mets an American Harris Pilton, who’s come to NZ to meet a real Kiwi chick. He also meets, gay rabbits, a wolf, Goldie, Cindy, Dorothy, Jack, Robin in a hood, and somehow gets involved in a local farming field days show, wearing gumboots. This show is far from straight forward, but was well received. References to local businesses will need to be changed. Volunteer St John and Search and Rescue men acted in cameo roles as the money raised was for their benefit, however, this needn’t be.
The Four Seasons First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Oct 2006 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break. Cast: 4 main women, 4 main men, 2 cleaners. (Guest appearance by local volunteer fire brigade doing a ‘Full Monty’ routine, they benefitted from the money raised) Synopsis: The show moves through the fours seasons, and covers a year in the life of four women friends reunited at a school reunion in any small NZ town. There’s a divorce, a wedding, and a birth, but not necessarily in that order. Plenty of drama and lots of gossip, all of which is not true, or is it? It is Coronation Street, Days of our Lives, Desperate Housewives, Sex in the City, and Friends, all rolled into one. It truly is a soap opera - there’s not a lot of opera, but heaps of soap. Set in a local hall, two cleaners glue the show together. Scene changes are seasonal. This show was produced for charitable purposes.	Come Fly with Me First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Mar 2006 Directed by Jennie Turner Musical Comedy. Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break. Cast: Separated into 4F, 3M and 5 dancers, can be rehearsed apart and brought together at end. 2 voice-overs a couple of double ups. Synopsis: Grandma lives in a retirement village and was given a Lotto ticket by her family for Mother's day and lo and behold.....she won big time. She decided to take her son, his wife and their daughter on a vacation of a lifetime, around the world stopping over at each destination where they have adventure and entertainment. 8 stops, 8 scenes. On each leg of the journey a random passenger will join them and create the story line. They fly Auckland-Sydney - Bangkok -London - Paris - Frankfurt - Los Angeles -Nadi -Auckland. Moral of story, there’s no place like home. Stage is a cross section interior of plane. Theatre is the airport. Raised money for St John Cadets and Cancer support charities.

the Playwrights Association of New Zealand - PANZ