Breathing Life into New Works

“I specialise in directing new works, often crafting stories for the first time,” explains Anthea Williams. “It’s really important for me to put energy into contemporary storytelling.”

Anthea has returned to her home town of Christchurch to direct The Pink Hammer written by the late Michele Amas. Anthea is an award-winning director, dramaturg and Churchill Fellow who has directed work around the world.

“I knew directing was my calling from about the age of 19. I studied theatre and film at university in Sydney and directing shows there only served to cement for me what I wanted to do in life. It’s an amazing feeling to see audiences laugh together or be moved together over a show that you have worked on for weeks. With The Pink Hammer audiences will be crying with laughter – then getting out their tissues."

The Pink Hammer is a Kiwi comedy about five misfits who come together for an ‘empowering’ women’s carpentry course that goes hilariously awry. “I think Michele has written a beautiful play about people trying to find their best selves. That’s a totally relevant theme for today. Although the play was originally written in 2014 we will be producing a new version of the story.”

Anthea Williams and The Pink Hammer team

Anthea has a brilliant cast to work with – Kathleen Burns, Lynda Milligan, Eilish Moran, Amy Straker and Tom Eason. “The play provides phenomenally strong roles for four women – and one guy. It is my job to make them shine. I love work like this one that combines comedy and tragedy. That’s what life is and The Pink Hammer is truly honest and real. A hallmark of my work is excellent performances and high emotion.”

Anthea adds that during rehearsals for the play all the team have learned to use carpentry tools. That new skill is put to constructive use during the performance. “The set itself – an old-school workshop is full of three generations of tools that any handy-person would be proud to own. They are not there simply for show. It has been a great thrill for me to direct this play back in the city where I was first introduced to live theatre.”

Cheryl Colley

The Pink Hammer runs at The Court Theatre from 7 September – 5 October. Learn more and book tickets here.