Concrete Playground meets Female Company

University of Auckland drama students Haemia Foote (below left) and Amie Bentall (below right), along with Amanda Grace Leo have started a theatre group called Female Company. Their debut play Agnes of God will be performed at the university drama studio next month. Haemia and Amie chatted to Concrete Playground about the play and what it meant to them to be starting their own company.

Why did you decide to start your own theatre company?

Haemia: We were bored with the fact the roles available to us meant playing the love interest or the mean girl, which are generally fairly shallow characters. If there's a strong character, a man is automatically written for that role.

Amie: Our company challenges that view. It's about developing the female presence in theatre. Whether it's acting, directing, producing or backstage work we want to support and develop interesting roles for women.

Haemia: But it's really important to us that people know we're not an exclusive 'women's only' club because that would be just as bad. Also it would limit us too much.

How are you going to carry on a theatre company during your studies next year?

Haemia: Agnes of God will be my seventh show this year so it's been fairly full on. We'll be working just as hard next year except our focus will be on our own company.

What kind of feedback from people in the industry has Female Company received?

Amie: A lot of people have been quite excited by it. We've been contacted by a few playwrights that are really keen to see their work produced.

Haemia: We've had a few people put their hands up for backstage work too.

Are there any roles you are lacking?

Haemia: Yes, we're looking for patrons who are able to provide $95 per year. They will be invited to rehearsals, their names will appear in the programme and it'll mean we'll be able to afford to put on shows.

Tell me about your debut show Agnes of God.

Haemia: It will be performed December 12th to 15th at the university drama studio. It's about motherhood and sisterhood. It's based on a true story about a young nun who is put on trial for the murder of a baby. She forms a close bond with both her Mother Superior and the psychiatrist who is appointed to determine if she's sane. It's all about what you put your faith in really.

What's next after this play?

Amie: Early next year we'll be asking for submissions from playwrights and then we'll look at putting a play on later in the year.

Would you like to keep this company going post university?

Haemia: Definitely. I'd love to be able to pass it on to somebody years down the track. If we use the momentum that we've created from starting it then I think it's going to be something quite big.