Married couple Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Lealand have theatre and film careers that span 40 years. Indeed, they met in the theatre - at Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Theatre Corporate in 1983. While they’re both beloved individually for their many and varied contributions to the arts, they’ve also appeared in some 22 shows together.
Yet it's never just been the two of them on stage together. Until now.
In the two-hander play In other Words Hurst and Ward-Lealand play a married couple dealing with the onset of Alzheimer's. Like their actors, Arthur and Jane have been together since their 20s. The play skips back and forward in time to record the effect of the disease - from remembering when they first met, to Arthur trying to remember what happened just a moment ago.
Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst in In Other Words. Photo: supplied
Inspired by the profound effect music can have for those dealing with dementia, the work by young UK playwright Matthew Seager is also a tribute to the care and love involved in a long relationship.
This season of In Other Words is at Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland’s Q Theatre, September 3-15. It’s the Australiasian premiere.
Michael Hurst and Jennifer Ward-Lealand join Perlina Lau and Mark Amery on Culture 101 to play ‘Fast Favourites’- shouting out to favourite recent cultural work.
Their picks in the theatre include company A Slightly Isolated Dog’s Our Own Little Mess, Te Tangi a te Tūi by Te Rēhia Theatre and The Dust Palace at Te Pou and the recently screened National Theatre production from the West End of Simon Stephen’s adaptation of Uncle Vanya with Andrew Scott.
Both readers of Aotearoa authors, they’ve recently been enjoying books by Catherine Chidgey, Emily Perkins, Eleanor Catton and Andrea Hotere.
The couple individually continue to be plenty busy with multiple projects. Ward-Lealand recommends films currently screening she’s been involved in (including as an Intimacy Coach) Ka Whawhai Tonu, We Were Dangerous and short film Lea Tupu’anaga/ Mother Tongue.
Meanwhile, Hurst has been touring his one-man show h has written The Golden Ass, and currently has, under his direction, a new production of Susie Miller’s acclaimed play Prima Facie. Tour dates include New Plymouth this weekend, Gisborne next week, and at the Upsurge Bay of Islands Festival and Whangarei in early September.
