Latest news with #Tollemache
Otago Daily Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Sharply delivered gritty humour, hard truths
PHOTO: ODT FILES A capacity audience at the found theatre space at 24 Filleul St for Neurospice Girls, produced by Kim Morgan, was treated yesterday to a soliloquy from Lizzie Tollemache with Greek chorus Mārama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Ellie Swann and Destiny Carvell. The subject matter revolves around the so-called problem of being feminine, of not wanting to rock the boat. The company of five arrive by boat, standing at the masthead in classical pose. Marooned, one gestures despair, one cradles her arms, another looks downcast. They are all trying to reconcile themselves to the vicissitudes life has thrown at them. Tollemache traces through the many facets of abuse. Her dishevelled journey is paved with broken egg shells. She is alone. The solution lies in getting lippy with conviction. Gritty humour bubbles to the surface, leavening the way between hard home truths and mixed messaging. The story line equitably embraces attacks on a broken healthcare system, societal expectations, systemically entrenched misogyny as well as schoolgirl bullies, an adolescent need to feel accepted. Substance-fuelled denial is aided by emotional glad-wrap. The audience is repeatedly asked ''who are you?''. We know we will never be good enough against a backdrop where we are cemented into dependency by unequal pay. As such, Neurospice Girls is confronting rather than shocking. Tollemache's delivery is sharp and fast. The stage set is minimal. Her Greek chorus both reinforces and contradicts her passage, alternately placing impediments in her way and commiserating. Each emerges with their own story and identity vehemently confirmed. One problem for the production may be that abuse seems all too commonplace, pain inherited generationally is not so readily overcome. However, Neurospice Girls succeeds because all actors have skin in the game. All the backroom assistants deserve high credit, as do Jo Randerson and Playmarket.
Otago Daily Times
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Exploration of neurodivergence in engaging show
Hic Sunt Dracones presents The NeuroSpice Girls, by Lizzie Tollemache Wednesday, July 23 24 Filleul St pop-up space Review by BRENDA HARWOOD A large and responsive audience gave a warm welcome to Christchurch-based playwright/actor Lizzie Tollemache's wildly engaging, high-energy exploration of the life-long impact of neurodivergence during last night's premiere performance of The NeuroSpice Girls. Described as ''a funny and ferocious neurodivergent odyssey, from gut-punching denial to celebration,'' the show is directed by Kim Morgan, who also produces through her local theatre company Hic Sunt Dracones (HSD). The NeuroSpice Girls centres on the challenges faced by Tollemache — as a child in the playground, as a teenager and as an adult, when she could finally set about dealing with her issues. Along the way, she shares intimate details — some hilarious and others heartbreaking — of the many times her unique thought processes led to embarrassment, anxiety and punishment. An entertaining and sympathetic performer, Tollemache's masterful performance is superbly supported by a ''Greek chorus'' of top notch local actors, Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Ellie Swann and Destiny Carvell. Each with their own stories of neurodivergence and challenges, the chorus help keep the energy levels high and add immensely to the show's frequent moments of hilarity with impeccable comic timing — especially during satiric moments like the wickedly hysterical ''therapy for the patriarchy'' sequence. They can really sing as well. Alongside its many very funny sequences, The NeuroSpice Girls is filled with relatable moments, such as the triumphant announcement of ''boundaries'' and the moving sharing of the women's whakapapa through their mothers, grandmothers and great-grandmothers. An important aspect of the HSD kaupapa is to ''go off the map'' and find distinctive venues for each of its productions and the space at 24 Filleul St (next to the Urgent Pharmacy), sourced with support from the Dunedin Dream Brokerage, is a real coup. Clearly, a lot of work has gone into turning the space into a black box theatre, complete with a simple, effective and adaptive set designed and created by Matthew Morgan, into a fantastic performance space. The large, accessible venue has allowed HSD to cater for diverse audiences as well, with sofas, cushions and mats, as well as a ''chill out room''. Lighting design by Garry Keirle, sound and music by Matthew Morgan, and tech support by Jordan Wichman enhance the theatricality of the piece, while also minimising potential sensory overload. All in all, HSD's production of Tollemache's The NeuroSpice Girls is a triumph, bringing a fresh, informative and thoroughly entertaining approach to an important subject. Congratulations to all involved on a superb show. The NeuroSpice Girls continues at 24 Filleul St until Sunday, with performances at 7.30pm, and also 3pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday. Performers (top from left) Marama Grant, Lexie Tomlinson, Lizzie Tollemache, Destiny Carvell and (bottom) Ellie Swann during rehearsals of The NeuroSpice Girls. PHOTO: GREGOR RICHARDSON
Otago Daily Times
09-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Otago Daily Times
Personal experiences inspire play
Dunedin theatre company Hic Sunt Dracones (HSC) will present their premiere production of "funny and ferocious" new play The NeuroSpice Girls , by Christchurch playwright Lizzie Tollemache. Director Kim Morgan said the play, to be staged from July 23 to 27, was described as "a funny and ferocious neurodivergent odyssey, from gut-punching denial to celebration". The show had a broad appeal, but was also Tollemache's very personal journey. "So, she is here to lead the ensemble, which includes four fabulous, experienced local performers, who are also neurodivergent," Morgan said. "This is a disability-led company, telling our stories with pride, trauma-informed practice and lived experience." The local performers — Ellie Swann, Lexie Tomlinson, Destiny Carvell and Mārama Grant, form a kind of Greek chorus around Tollemache's storytelling, which is both hilarious and touching. Sound and projections have been created by Matt Morgan. Morgan said, in the casting stages for the show, the call went out for local actors who self-identify as neurodivergent to step up to tell their own stories, receiving a great response. "We are delighted with the mix of incredible performers we have assembled," she said. "And the process of working on this show has really helped us to explore who we are." The show is a vibrant singing, dancing, truth bomb-dropping experience, laden with '90s pop culture references, flights of fancy and relatable neurodivergent discoveries. "This is a story that applies to many people, and in development showings the unfiltered feedback showed that audience members felt represented," Morgan said. The NeuroSpice Girls started out as part of Playmarket's Te Hono programme, under the title Swimming Lessons , with Jo Randerson as script adviser. After a rewrite with comedy and sketch input from Brynley Stent, the show was renamed The NeuroSpice Girls . Tollemache said "we are currently seeing a tidal wave of late diagnosed women, and curiosity about neurodivergence is at an all time high. The time for this show is now". Morgan said HSD had honoured its kaupapa to "go off the map" and find distinctive venues for each of its productions and had worked with Dunedin Dream Brokerage to find a suitable space at 24 Filleul St. "The setting will allow us to craft a distinctive, non-traditional and immersive space for the show, where we can also mix seats, sofas, cushions and mats for our diverse audiences," she said. The space, which is next to the Urgent Pharmacy, is also accessible, with access via the main door, a ramped hallway, a flat auditorium and an accessible bathroom. "Our performances are "semi-relaxed" — while we will be using theatrical lighting, sound effects and projections, we are also attempting to minimise sensory overload. "Patrons will be welcome to step out to the 'chill room' at any time." Due to Tollemache's busy schedule, the performance season of The NeuroSpice Girls has had to be limited, with shows from Wednesday, July 23, to Saturday, July 26, at 7.30pm. There will also be 3pm matinees on Saturday and Sunday, July 26 and 27. "The show has a 70-minute duration, and then we will have talk-back sessions after every performance, if audience members want to stay and talk," Morgan said. Content warning: Discussions of mental health, addiction and ableism. Occasional bursts of spicy language. Suggested age 14 and over.
Daily Record
01-07-2025
- Business
- Daily Record
Stirling Council under fire over staff contract changes as union mulls action
The controversial changes - voted through by councillors by a tight margin - would see changes to redundancy terms and also the introduction of settlement agreements for employees approved for voluntary redundancy. Stirling Council is facing a backlash from staff after controversial changes were made to their terms and conditions, including future redundancy payments. Management said the moves - voted through by Conservative and SNP councillors - would ensure 'tasks not people' would be considered redundant, create a 'talent pool' within the council, and would a better use of taxpayers' money. However, the Labour minority administration and Green councillor Alasdair Tollemache backed the view of UNISON, the largest union, which said the new system would 'strip' and reduce the terms, conditions and workplace rights of Stirling Council employees, damage morale and the council's reputation, and make it even harder to retain and recruit suitable staff. UNISON now say they have 'no alternative' but to lodge a formal grievance/dispute and consult its members on further action. At a full council meeting on Thursday, councillors considered a paper on the 'Organisational Change Policy'. Key changes include the removal of added years and discretionary enhancements in cases of redundancy. In their place, affected staff would be offered either suitable alternative employment, statutory redundancy pay (the minimum legal entitlement), or placement in a 'talent pool', the details of which critics say remain unclear. The paper also proposes introducing settlement agreements for employees approved for voluntary redundancy, requiring them to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) - commonly dubbed 'gagging clauses' - estimated to cost the council £600 each, and described by the union as a 'bizarre twist'. Despite opposition from the four Labour councillors and Cllr Tollemache, the proposal was passed with the support of the eight SNP councillors present, who sided with the Conservatives to approve the changes. 'Stirling Council's approach is an insult to its dedicated workforce,' said Lorraine Thomson, UNISON Branch Secretary. 'They're pushing drastic changes that make it easier to cut jobs and force loyal employees out, all while refusing basic information.' UNISON local government lead officer David O'Connor added: 'We are in no doubt given the on-going lack of fair funding to local authorities by Scottish Government that existing staff will be left with further work pressures and will essentially be left to carry the load. 'There needs to be a viable alternative to statutory redundancy payments should posts be at future risk. 'However, what's being proposed here lacks detail and has no financial commitment around funding, which is essential to make it work.' The union also say the approach is 'two-tier' given that teaching staff will not be affected as they come under a separate agreement, and that while five other local authorities had taken the same moves, 26 other councils had decided not to go down that route. Council leader, Labour councillor Gerry McGarvey, said: 'This proposal removes security and fairness for employees in the Stirling Council; it also reduces the council's attractiveness as an employer due to fewer protections for employees. 'Instead of working with Labour to bring forward a package which respected workers' rights, the SNP have supported the Tories to weaken terms and conditions.' SNP councillors, however, said 'their' policy had been passed after months of consultation with senior officers and was one of 'no compulsory staff redundancies and a commitment from senior council management to focus on staff retention, training and job security across the council'. SNP group leader Cllr Susan McGill said: 'This policy values employees, recognises employees and demonstrates how important they are to bring about real change in how the council provides services. On something as basic as this, Labour failed to lead.' SNP finance spokesperson Cllr Gerry McLaughlan said the previous system made it 'more attractive' for people to leave the council than to stay, and the council was 'desperately short of trained and experienced people', with management 'strained to the gunnels'. He added: 'The SNP has secured a policy that, quite simply, values people. It retains staff whilst offering meaningful training and security of employment. Contrast that with Labour; happy to take nearly £200,000 in salaries yet too weak to show leadership on behalf of anyone else.' Conservative group leader Cllr Neil Benny said the new policy was 'right and fair both to our employees and to the taxpayers of Stirling'. But Labour councillor David Wilson said the proposals fell 'far short of what is required to provide staff security, fairness and dignity', adding: 'This is a weakening of the council's terms and conditions and is likely to reduce Stirling Council's attractiveness as an employer of choice. The council has already faced challenges in attracting staff for certain posts. 'The creation of a talent pool is ambitious but there's no clear budget or plan for training staff within this pool.'
