Roald Dahl’s The Twits
Photo credit: David Rowland/One-Image Photography
TIM BRAY THEATRE COMPANY FINALLY TAKES TO THE STAGE WITH ROALD DAHL’S BELOVED THE TWITS
Tim Bray Theatre Company presents
Roald Dahl’s The Twits
Adapted for the stage by Tim Bray
Songs by Marshall Smith
Leading children’s theatre company Tim Bray Theatre Company is set to revisit one of the most popular shows in their extensive repertoire - Roald Dahl's The Twits! The company brings their very special brand of on-stage joy to delight Tāmaki Makaurau’s youngest theatre-lovers across the Auckland region. Continuing their commitment to make theatre accessible for all audiences, the lively performance will head to Takapuna, Manukau, Māngere and Glen Innes from 16 September – 28 October.
Giggle and gasp at the antics of Mr and Mrs Twit, a hideous and hilarious couple who love to play nasty pranks on each other and their pet monkeys, the Muggle-Wumps. Glass eyeball in your drink anyone? How about worm spaghetti made with real worms? And bird pie made with real … you get it. Ugghh! Luckily, when Mr Twit tries to create the world’s first Great Upside Down Monkey Circus, the Twits get a dose of their own nasty medicine.
First published in 1980, the idea for The Twits was inspired by Dahl’s peculiar suspicion of bearded men, which led him to create Mr. Twit - one of the most recognisable villains in all of his published works. It remains one of his most popular books to this day. Now Tim Bray Theatre Company brings this iconic story to the stage once more, after being one of the first stories Tim Bray Theatre Company staged in only their second year (1992).
“Roald Dahl's The Twits is one show that really took the blows during the pandemic. It was cancelled in 2020, again in 2021 due to the long Auckland lockdown and again in 2022 due to the Omicron wave. But the Roald Dahl Estate have stood by us and agreed to each new postponement, so we are thrilled to finally be presenting this funny and slightly wicked show after so long. After the sell-out season of The Magic Faraway Tree in July, we know interest in Roald Dahl's The Twits is high so recommend booking early,” says Tim Bray, QSM.
Roald Dahl’s The Twits is a sublimely silly family favourite, and this stage adaptation by Tim Bray is sure to be brilliantly entertaining for Roald Dahl fans of all ages. Starring Dylan Underwood (The Santa Claus Show) as Mr Twit and newcomer Martha Teleiai as Mrs Twit alongside Isabella Temm as Roly Poly Bird and Jacinta Compton as Muggle-Wump the monkey (both from The Magic Faraway Tree), Terry Hooper (The Lighthouse Keeper’s Lunch) as the Gas Meter Reader, and puppeteer Matilda Chua. Our talented cast member Frankie (Francesca) Browne is the understudy for Mrs Twit, Roly-Poly Bird and many more characters!
As part of their commitment to make theatre for all of the children of Tāmaki Makaurau, Tim Bray Theatre Company continues to offer accessible performances, with NZSL-interpreted, audio-described and sensory relaxed performances available during the tour.
All your favourite characters from Roald Dahl’s The Twits will leap off the page and onto the stage for a larger-than-life retelling of the beloved children’s tale. Full of titillating tricks, playful puppetry and amazing acrobatics, this production is sure to enthral.
“Tim Bray has directed another engaging piece of old-school family theatre… Plenty of clever jokes, stupid jokes, audience participation games and sing-along numbers make for a fulfilling hour’s theatre.” – Nik Smythe, Theatreview
School Seasons:
The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna
Monday, September 18th 10.30am and 1.00pm
Tuesday, September 19th 10.30am
Tuesday, September 19th 1.00pm Audio Description also available
Wednesday, September 20th 10.30am Also an NZSL interpreted performance
Wednesday, September 20th 1.00pm
Thursday, September 21th 10.30am Also a Sensory Relaxed performance
Thursday, September 21th 1.00pm
Friday, September 22 th 10.30am and 1.00pm
Due Drop Events Centre, Manukau
Tuesday 10 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Wednesday 11 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Thursday 12 October 2023, 10:30am Also an NZSL interpreted performance
Thursday 12 October 2023, 1pm
Friday 13 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Māngere Arts Centre, Māngere
Tuesday 17 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Wednesday 18 October 2023, 10:30am Audio Description also available
Wednesday 18 October 2023, 1:00pm
Thursday 19 October 2023, 1:00pm
Friday 20 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Te Oro, Glen Innes
Wednesday 25 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Thursday 26 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm
Friday 27 October 2023, 10:30am and 1pm