Newspaper columnist for 18 years, Jennie’s writing is honest and uncensored by political correctness. “I love laughter, music and song in my life – this is reflected in my plays.”
All are musicals, based around the Kiwi lifestyle, the satirical, sometimes ‘corny’ humour allows the audience the freedom to interact and laugh out loud – a recipe that has them coming back for more.
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“For a while there I became little obsessive with genealogy. I discovered it wasn’t so much the names and dates I was interested in, but the stories behind decisions that changed lives. Often sad and desperate, but always thought-provoking, leaving the person looking, with a feeling of belonging and a sense of purpose.
“Every family has a story to tell. Some stories raise more than one eyebrow!”
First produced by Tairua Troubadours, June 2018
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Based on the TV series The Amazing Race, 9 teams are on a planet-wide quest to beat overwhelming odds and cliff-hanger challenges in an all-out battle to win a race around the world – and claim the 1 million prize! Teams make their way from country to country on everything from bicycles to camels with limited time and cash, facing language barriers and cultural differences. As each team is eliminated, the field is narrowed down to the final few, and the ultimate global adventure streaks down-to-the-wire finish! First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2014. Directed by Jennie Turner
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A Hot & Spicy Bollywood Love Story
Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours includes a 10 min break.
Cast: 30, 2 main lovers, their families 4-6, and all double as dancers and shop owners.
Synopsis:
Following the guidelines of a true Bollywood script, two people in love meet by a tree in the middle of nowhere. Along their romantic path they encounter obstacles, both believing their families have chosen another for them to marry. The Mumbai mafia put up a fight, but it all turns out happy with the sun shining on all.
A colourful lavish set with lots of gold and bling.
This show was produced to raise funds for charitable purposes.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2010. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours includes a 10 min break.
Cast: 18 Multiple parts double up.
Synopsis:
The show covers a 24 hour period depicting the private and working lives of the patients, doctors, nurses and others attending the small but frantically busy general hospital. Full of corny humour and sick doctor jokes, as a steady stream of troubled patients arrive to be cured.
This show was produced to raise funds for charitable purposes.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2011. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours includes a 10 min break.
Cast: Older people preferable, (60yrs+) 5 men and 7 women, all residents of the retirement village. 2 carers, 1 female manager. 1 family of any size enter at the beginning and can return at end but not necessary.
Synopsis:
Through satirical humour the show spends a typical week in the life of residents at the ‘Sunset Retirement Resort’. It’s a busy life, as many of the residents are active octogenarians. There are numerous references to memory loss, as this was a charity performance to raise funds for Alzheimers. Could be set anywhere in New Zealand, sponsorship acknowledgements would need changing. A static stage divided into two areas, SR ladies lounge, couch etc, SL mens chairs, table, piano, etc.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2009. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break.
Cast: 14 female, 4 male + 2 male cameo. Many multiple parts.
Synopsis:
A show full of classic tales, morphed into Kiwi style, until they only just resemble the original characters. eg, Snow White is dressed in character but she talks 21st century lingo. A narrator turns the pages and introduces each new story. The thread throughout is Snow mets an American Harris Pilton, who’s come to NZ to meet a real Kiwi chick. He also meets an array of colourful characters along the way. St John and SAR personnel acted in cameo roles as the money raised was for their benefit.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in April 2007. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break.
Cast: 4 female, 3 male actors and 5 dancers, can be rehearsed apart and brought together at end.
Synopsis:
Grandma lives in a retirement village and was given a Lotto ticket for Mother’s day…..she won big time. She decided to take her son’s family around the world. Australia, Thailand, England, France, Germany, USA, Fiji. At each destination they have adventure and entertainment. 8 stops, 8 scenes. On each leg a random passenger will join them. Stage is a cross section interior of plane. Theatre is the airport.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Mar 2006 for charitable purposes. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours includes a 10 min break.
Cast: 22 Ford family x4, Holden family x3, party family x4, grandparents x2, muscle gang x3, jocks x2, Candy girls x4.
Synopsis:
A Kiwi style rock and roll beach hop theme with a Ford versus Holden twist. There are two families, the Fords who own the diner and the Holdens who own the garage. Will the two ever see eye to eye? “That’ll be the day……. A lot of music, for song and dance providing great entertainment whilst raising funds for charitable purposes.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in 2012. Directed by Jennie Turner
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The 70’s TV Show – Live on the big screen
Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break.
Cast: Many multiple parts TBA
Synopsis:
Almost a reality show as the audience watches a typical New Zealand family watching television back in the 70’s, complete with advertisements. The set is a giant 70’s television and the family interact with the audience by entering and sitting on a couch centre front row. They watch a popular selection of everyone’s favourite shows from the 70’s.
There are a few set changes, and props required.
This show was produced to raise funds for charitable purposes.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Sept 2008. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break.
Cast: 4 main women, 4 main men, 2 cleaners. (Guest appearance by local volunteer fire brigade doing a ‘Full Monty’ routine, they benefitted from the money raised)
Synopsis:
The show moves through the four seasons in the life of four women friends reunited at a school reunion in any small NZ town. There’s a divorce, a wedding, and a birth, but not necessarily in that order. Plenty of gossip, all of which is not true, or is it? It is Desperate Housewives, Sex in the City, and Friends, all rolled into one. It truly is a soap opera – there’s not a lot of opera, but heaps of soap. Set in a local hall, two cleaners glue the show together.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in Oct 2006. Directed by Jennie Turner
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The Good the Bad and the Really Ugly
Musical Comedy.
Two-act play, running approx. 2 hours including a 10 min break.
Cast: 7 men, 13 women, 2 boys + 8 little children at the beg. Plus the highway entertainers who played live, 2 men and 3 women. (Many multiple parts, total parts 54)
Synopsis:
Local town boy, accidentally shoots the sheriff and goes on the run into the hills to lay low with the indians until the truth comes out. A common thread through the show is a group of highway entertainers on a bandwagon tour of NZ. Rave reviews.
This production was a charitable event to raise funds for Breast Cancer research.
First produced by Tairua Troubadours in April 2008. Directed by Jennie Turner
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Playwrights Association of New Zealand (Inc) 