The Fortune Theatre's latest production Over the River and Through the Woods marks an important milestone for its artistic director, Jonathan Hendry. He talks to Rebecca Fox about directing his first play for the Fortune.
The director's chair is a comfortable place for Jonathan Hendry.
It is a slight reprieve from the past six months of finding his way in not only a new job in a new place, but also a role he had never done before.
The experienced actor, director and teacher has been relishing finding his feet but admits it is nice to be back in a rehearsal room.
"This is my place. I feel I can work hard and well. This is an area I feel very confident in.''
He is still finding his way in the role of artistic director which he took on earlier this year after the departure of Lara Macgregor.
While his experience meant he had worked with and alongside artistic directors before, he admitted being "inside'' the job was different from watching from the outside.
"It's my first gig running a theatre. I'm still finding out what that means. I think it changes with how the theatre is, its wellness, what particular plays are on. All those things are variable. So I don't think the job stays the same.
"I'm still learning, to be honest.''
He was fortunate to have a good strong network of people, some younger and more experienced, as well as those older, to call on when needed, he said.
It has also been a change of pace for Hendry, as he settles into life on the Otago Peninsula.
"I'm really enjoying life back here - I spent six months here, that was straight out of drama school and did a couple of plays ... I had a really productive time here as a young actor.''
This time, when not working, he is enjoying being able to get out and investigate the peninsula, discovering places such as Allans Beach.
"I now have Allans Beach as one of my top beaches, along with Bethells Beach and other beaches up north. It's wonderful to find new go to places for a walk and enjoy the wonderful environment we have here in Otago.''
Having grown up in the country, about a 10-minute drive from Blenheim, before his family shifted to Paekakariki, north of Wellington, he believed he fitted better in small cities.
"I'm a small-town boy. Although I've spent many years in Wellington and I've lived in London, I think I fit smaller towns.''
Being new to the role, his first priority has been to get out and meet those involved in the theatre community in the city.
"Everyone has been welcoming but more than that open to me and available to give me feedback. ''
He had already been appointed to the Dunedin Community Partnership Group and hoped to be able find other parts of the Dunedin community to connect with informally or formally.
"Not only to bring people to our home in Stuart St, but pop up around the city and region and bring our skills and fortune experience to more people.''
Finding ways to bring other people into the theatre is one thing Hendry is aiming to do over the next three years.
"We've set ourselves a task of getting out there into the community more.''
There were "exciting projects'' he was looking to build next year that could come to fruitition in 2018.
"A question for any theatre in a city where it is the primary professional theatre is how we connect up more and be more central to people's lives. It's not just about putting on shows, it's about becoming a part of people's lives.''
As the former Toi Whakaari actor training director (2013-15), head of acting/associate director (2000-13) and head of acting (2007-10), he was enjoying sharing his knowledge with students at the University of Otago's drama department, at local high schools and with drama teachers.
"All sorts of aspects of this job I'm really enjoying. All this has been wonderful for me to find out aspects of the community the Fortune is involved in and parts it could be involved in.''
He had found Dunedin audiences to be really responsive and honest. To see a show with the Fortune's member groups, most of whom were older than he at 50, and then see it with a packed student audience was great, he said.
"They love a good laugh and they really enjoy it. With Nui Sila the two actors loved working moments with the audiences, perhaps being a bit naughty by making jokes go longer because the audience loves it.''
He had been surprised by the traditions and structures of the Fortune that were still in place 40 years after it started. Those traditions were part of the Fortunes's strength, he believed.
"It is not necessarily the case in theatre companies that you go in and encounter ways of viewing things, working things, that are part of a long heritage or growth of a theatre that are still in place from the original members ...
"It's gratifying for me that some of those very strong, if you like, ideals still underpin the vision of the theatre. That it hasn't become something else. That it is continually asking the question of how we remain relevant but build on the idea about working with the community of Dunedin and Otago.''
With question marks hanging over arts funding nationwide, theatres were supporting each other and looking at different ways to bring in funding. For the Fortune, that meant looking at touring more shows and bringing other acts such as comedians to the theatre.
"We're finding new ways that will be beneficial to our audiences. We'll continue to do our own work but look to give more variety to our audiences and to be honest be more cost-effective.''
In the meantime, he was making the most of being in the director's chair to develop the relationships in Over the River and Through the Woods - a play written in the 1990s, featuring an Italian American immigrant family's relationship struggles.
The themes meant the play had relevance for Dunedin as well, he said.
"There are so many here on the cusp of leaving Dunedin or coming back. There is an interesting discussion in the play about how the next generation seizes opportunity and the tension of making the choice to leave home.
"This won't be done as it would have been one in America or Britain. It'll be done for the people of Dunedin.''
• Over the River and Through the Woods runs until July 9.
