Rangitoto by Geoffrey Clendon

We have thrown ourselves headfirst into rehearsals and we are thrilled with the progress we are making. The talented cast and crew, who are highly intelligent, skilled and quick-witted, are a joy to work with. It doesn't seem like work, I guess that's why it's called a 'play'.

Played by Joseph Wycoff (Pardon Me Alan Turing, Ash vs Evil Dead), Rex is a quintessential kiwi bloke - dad jokes and all! A Gallipoli veteran, now grocer. These holidays he must deal with the pressures of change while protecting his family.

With the sun out yesterday, some of the cast made it to Rangitoto to check out exactly where our play is set - this magic island with its familiar skyline, idiosyncratic baches, emerald caves and human histories imprinted upon the lava tracks. In the top photo, left to right Isla Sangl, Geoff Snell, Joe Rye and Harry Casey.

played by Johnson Manukau (Tuhoe) (The Mooncake and the Kūmara,

Ahikāroa). Frank is like his name; he can't help but speak the bald truth

which regularly gets him into trouble. His parents have sold their bach

and he's furious about it. He's crazy about yachts and the harmonica.

A warm and receptive audience at last night's preview as reflected in this comment received today:

"We were blown away by each and every actor on stage....The storyline gave us an hilariously comedic yet historical look at what we can imagine must have been the feelings of the day way back in 1932. We couldn't have enjoyed ourselves more."