A comedy by Roy Smiles

Directed by Terry Hooper



Set in 1939, Backstage follows the antics of the Leibmans, a husband-and-wife vaudeville act who have been touring the US with son Danny and daughter Ruth for 20 years. They are aided by Marie, who serves as dresser, confidante and peacemaker for the dysfunctional family. However, Hanna and Herb's marriage is rapidly disintegrating as a result of Herb's philandering and Hanna's egomania. Combined with revelations of Danny's plans to join the Air Force and Ruth's "trouble" from her liaisons with most of the band, family tensions erupt in a fast-paced, furiously funny behind-the-scenes comedy. It's a veritable can of kerosene just waiting for that vital spark to set things off. This is the Auckland premiere.



"Draw deep breaths before you seat yourself at this glorious glimpse of mayhem in a showbiz family. It will be your last taste of calm or serene before interval. Once this play sparks into action, the pace is merciless, riding on wave after wave of appreciative laughter." theatreview.org.nz



"so full and bursting with humour and exuberant acting. You had to have been in another playhouse not to have liked this one, not to have been deliciously overcome with the whole crazy energy of it." The Press review.