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You wouldn’t think a cemetery is the place for a comedy. But it is – and the Katikati community is being offered the chance to watch a new take on American play The Cemetery Club next month.
Members of amateur drama group Katikati Theatre Inc are fastidiously working on bringing their own adaptation of Ivan Menchell’s play to life in a six-show season between October 2 to 10.
Director Di Logan said The Cemetery Club was set in the 1990s and was a warm and witty dramatic comedy play written by American playwright Ivan Menchell.
“We decided to not have another American play and instead to make it a little more generic and have it more open as to where it is set,” she said.
Logan said with Menchell’s permission, Katikati Theatre Inc had removed all references to specific place names. “So it’s set in the 1990s but the place is undetermined. It could be anywhere. I think this is significant because everyone can relate to it.”
Logan said the cast was made up of three main women and one man. Ruth Flynn plays the part of Ida, Julie Thomas plays Doris, and Eryl Raymond plays Lucille, and Barry Magowan plays the part of Sam.
“They meet every month, to visit their dead husbands’ graves in the cemetery. It’s kind of like a club they’ve got because they were all friends when their husbands were alive.
“But the time has come possibly for this to all end … and I can’t say anything more than that.”
Logan said the play is a comedy “but it’s a poignant comedy. It’s got sad moments but it’s basically a comedy.”
The cast had been rehearsing since August, she said, with Ron Thomas stage manager, Linda McMurray the production assistant and prompt, and Yvonne MacDonald on props.
Logan said the audience can expect a great night out “with a lot of laughs”.
“This is our first play for 2026 so we hope the community will come out and support us.”
Katikati Theatre Inc’s adaptation of The Cemetery Club will be held at The Arts Junction theatre at 7pm on October 2, 3, 4 and 9. Two 2pm matinees will take place, on October 4 and 10.
Tickets cost $25 each from The Arts Junction or online at: www.theartsjunction.org.nz