Harlequin and Columbine

Otago Daily Times

^{September 19th 1987.}

^{B McC}

           John Hudson the producer and director of Harlequin and Columbine, did not want people to attend the play out of pity for his actors.  He wanted them to go to be moved, entertained and provoked.  They were.

Ten of the actors in the play were disabled, and the opening night attracted a near capacity crowd to the Fortune Theatre Studio last night.

The intriguing set allowed the play to move at a great pace, and the audience was not sure in which direction to look first.

The play was written by Cilla McQueen, and involves two businesses competing in the cosmetic industry.  Or are they?

Ripple Control, the head of Columbine Cosmetics, engages a small time computer whizz from the lower ranks of the firm to steal the secret formula to Harlequins Industries' new lipstick.  Or is it a lipstick formula?

Frank Stock, the computer man played by Nic Farra, encounters hazards unimagined in his previous experiences.

Along with the audience he is catapulted into events far beyond his understanding and, as with all good suspense, no one knows exactly what is happening until the end.

There is a super baddy, to wrap up the whole entertaining story.  In the play are some wonderful scenes of Dunedin and this special effect shows the audience some excellent aspects of the city.

If you want to know how that is done, you will have to go and see.