Arts Access AotearoaEveryone has a secret to reveal … and Detective Raven McAllister is determined to uncover the truth. “The Old Cold Hearts Club”, presented by Silver Noodle Soup, will run from 11–18 April at the Hannah Playhouse in Wellington.
Set over one night at a local karaoke bar, the show follows Detective Raven McAllister as he observes a colourful cast of wild and fascinating characters. As the songs roll on and the drinks flow, secrets begin to surface, and the detective edges closer to a revelation that will throw everyone – including himself – for a loop.
Silver Noodle Soup is a Wellington charitable trust where young disabled people are fully included in the leadership and direction of all aspects of theatrical and cinematic creativity – from development and production to promotion and performance.
Actor Aurora Symon Pellat says the rehearsals are going well but learning lines is the hardest part of the process. “When you’re on the stage you might mess up and stumble, and say something not in the script. But that's okay. If I stumble, I will just make something up on the spot.
“One of my favourite moments was trying my costume on. I like it. It makes me feel like I'm in character."
Fellow actor Callum Clark says he love his character, Ruby Diamond. “She’s a drag queen and she wants to perform live but she works at the bar.
“We've got lots of practice to do. I want to be a star. I want to show my family and friends our work in the theatre. I feel excited!"
As for Tess Kiernan, she loves acting, meeting new people and hanging out with the Silver Noodle Soup crew. “I like going on the stage and saying my lines, and I like that my character has some swear words. It can be fun to act a character who is nasty.
“I love people watching us. It's really good to know we are famous. I just want to keep acting until I'm 60. And when I'm 60, I'll go on Shortland Street.”
Mystery, music and unexpected revelations
Actor Nick Johnson says he enjoys doing the classes, taking part in shows and being on the Silver Noodle Soup board. “My favourite moment so far was probably the costume designs and fittings.”
This is an original theatrical work bursting with mystery, music and unexpected revelations, created and performed by disabled artists in Te Whanganui-a-Tara.
Silver Noodle Soup has been creating films and theatre for the past four years. The company meets weekly at Mornington Golf Club for a three-hour drama and performance session and performs regularly at events and venues across the region.
Guided by experienced theatre-makers Stevie Hancox-Monk, Madeline McNamara and Hannah Kelly, the ensemble promise to bring humour, heart and mystery to the stage in a celebration of inclusive theatre-making.
Amplifying the voices of the actors
- Stevie Hancox-Monk (they/them) has more than a decade of experience in improvisation, theatre-making and voice performance. Stevie has toured internationally with the Prague Shakespeare Company and performed in the United States with The Griegol. They are a founding member of improv troupe Tiny Dog.
- Madeline McNamara is an independent theatre practitioner. Beginning in Aotearoa, they spent a decade in the USA and the UK performing and honing their skills. Returning to Aotearoa in the late 1980s, they have spent the past 40 years working as a performer, director, teacher and organiser. In the mid-2000s they were the artistic director of Acting Up and for the past nine years, they have been the artistic director of Silver Noodle Soup.
- Hannah Kelly (she/her) is an actor and teacher. She recently finished the sold-out Wellington season of Binge Culture's Werewolf as part of the Aotearoa NZ Festival of the Arts. She tutors weekly for Silver Noodle Soup and at Rātā Studios. She is a graduate from Victoria University’s Theatre (Hons) programme, and John Bolton’s Theatre School in Melbourne.
Together, the team supports and amplifies the voices of the Silver Noodle Soup ensemble, ensuring disabled artists are not just participants but leaders in shaping the work audiences see on stage.
The Old Cold Hearts Club promises to be a celebration of inclusive theatre-making that places disabled artists centre stage.
The Old Cold Hearts Club runs from 11–18 April at the Hannah Playhouse in Wellington. There will be an NZSL interpreted performance on 17 April.
