The Cast
Helen Moran
Actor/storyteller Helen Moran has worked in NZ theatre since 1989, performing in a number of Mervyn Thompson productions in Christchurch 1989 and 1990, and touring 2 solo shows: Swallowing is a Very Private Thing and Towering in the 90’s. She performed in four tours to Singapore with Prometheus Productions, playing Shakespeare for Singaporean schools - highlights being the roles of Lady Macbeth and Titania.
Other highlights of Helen’s career include a series of roles at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin, including Emilia in Othello, the Psychiatrist in Agnes of God, and the Mother Wolf in The Jungle Book. For Christchurch’s Free Theatre she has performed in – Hamlet Machine, Medea Material, Baccachae Diotek and Tapuwae/Footsteps.
Performance work from 2004 - 2010 was focussed on her solo shows Skeleton Woman and then The Bone Keeper’s Story which have been performed in Wellington, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch and Okarito! Helen also makes regular appearances in the family shows she produces for IMAGINE Youth Theatre. At the end of 2011 she performed Martha in Repertory Theatre’s acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Melissa in AR Gurney’s Love Letters. She starred with husband Martin Howells in One Man Banned Production’s The Secret Lives of Henry and Alice in 2013/14. Later in 2014 she played the lead role of Deborah in Karen Zelas’ poetic drama, Geography of Loss.
Helen is also a storyteller and teaches Drama at Marian College.
Other highlights of Helen’s career include a series of roles at the Fortune Theatre in Dunedin, including Emilia in Othello, the Psychiatrist in Agnes of God, and the Mother Wolf in The Jungle Book. For Christchurch’s Free Theatre she has performed in – Hamlet Machine, Medea Material, Baccachae Diotek and Tapuwae/Footsteps.
Performance work from 2004 - 2010 was focussed on her solo shows Skeleton Woman and then The Bone Keeper’s Story which have been performed in Wellington, Dunedin, Timaru, Christchurch and Okarito! Helen also makes regular appearances in the family shows she produces for IMAGINE Youth Theatre. At the end of 2011 she performed Martha in Repertory Theatre’s acclaimed production of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf and Melissa in AR Gurney’s Love Letters. She starred with husband Martin Howells in One Man Banned Production’s The Secret Lives of Henry and Alice in 2013/14. Later in 2014 she played the lead role of Deborah in Karen Zelas’ poetic drama, Geography of Loss.
Helen is also a storyteller and teaches Drama at Marian College.
David Allen
This is David Allen's second appearance for One Man Banned Productions. His first was as Holy in Once on Chunuk Bair. He has also performed with Helen and Martin in Imagine Charitable Trust’s shows, notably as the Wolf in Little Red Riding Hood, the Untold Story and more recently as the Fox in Pinocchio last year. He has even played humans, on occasion. David has toured New Zealand with the Red Rose Dinner Theatre and Ben McDonald Productions and more recently has been seen in NO Theatre Production shows, including The Turn of the Screw, which was performed at the Theatre Royal and travelled to Oamaru Opera House as part of Oamaru’s Heritage Week.
Julia Guthrey
Julia Guthrey recently toured NZ in Grease the Musical with Ben McDonald Productions. Prior to that, she completed a
Masters in Experimental and Physical Theatre at RADA in London and performed in school tours and in Fringe Theatre in
the UK. Her journey started with a Degree in Musical Theatre at NASDA in Christchurch in 2006 and she has since
performed and worked with various Theatre and Film companies such as Imagine Youth Theatre, The Court Theatre,
Starrs Productions, Echelon, Showbiz, Oamaru Living History Players and A Different Light. Julia also teaches Dance and
Singing. Her recent adventures in the UK have inspired her to teach and explore the movement practices of Polish
theatre practitioner, Jerzy Grotowski.
Masters in Experimental and Physical Theatre at RADA in London and performed in school tours and in Fringe Theatre in
the UK. Her journey started with a Degree in Musical Theatre at NASDA in Christchurch in 2006 and she has since
performed and worked with various Theatre and Film companies such as Imagine Youth Theatre, The Court Theatre,
Starrs Productions, Echelon, Showbiz, Oamaru Living History Players and A Different Light. Julia also teaches Dance and
Singing. Her recent adventures in the UK have inspired her to teach and explore the movement practices of Polish
theatre practitioner, Jerzy Grotowski.
Charles Grubb
Charles Grubb has been teaching Drama at Riccarton High School for the last 11 years. During this time he has worked extensively with Top Dog Theatre Inc. and has often appeared in Canterbury Repertory shows. Poverty and Muse marks his return to the stage after a two year hiatus in which he has been busy playing the role of ‘Dad’ to his two young children. Charles studied performing arts at NASDA many moons ago before becoming a teacher. This is Charles' first venture with One Man Banned productions, although most of the creative team and fellow actors are all people he has either performed with or worked with on shows in the past. Having the playwright being a part of the process of creating this performance is an added bonus that rarely happens, and Charles is relishing this opportunity.
Julian Anderson
Julian Anderson is an established actor and Director who has always had great pleasure being a part of One Man Banned productions. Karen Zelas' work is always a journey, for the actor and the audience. Recreation of the great bond of understanding shared by Frances and Mr MacDonald in a single scene is an enjoyable challenge for Julian.
Janette Dovey
Working with Martin and Helen has been on Janette Dovey's wish list for some time, and she is delighted to join the cast of Poverty and Muse.
Janette trained at NASDA (the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art), graduating in 2002, and is a member of Equity NZ.
In more recent years, Janette has very much focused on screen acting and hasn’t been seen on stage for quite some time, so this might be called a ‘re-debut’. Previous theatre highlights included performing in Hautu (written by Kathleen Gallagher and produced by ReAct Theatre Co.), and in You Never Can Tell (directed by the wonderful (late) Elizabeth Moody for Canterbury Repertory Theatre). Janette is also proud of having co-founded the mixed ability theatre company, A Different Light.
Having dabbled in pottery in her 20s, with a more recent interest in Japanese and Danish pottery, Janette is very happy to be portraying the well-known English potter, Amy Krauss, in this production of Poverty and Muse.
Janette trained at NASDA (the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art), graduating in 2002, and is a member of Equity NZ.
In more recent years, Janette has very much focused on screen acting and hasn’t been seen on stage for quite some time, so this might be called a ‘re-debut’. Previous theatre highlights included performing in Hautu (written by Kathleen Gallagher and produced by ReAct Theatre Co.), and in You Never Can Tell (directed by the wonderful (late) Elizabeth Moody for Canterbury Repertory Theatre). Janette is also proud of having co-founded the mixed ability theatre company, A Different Light.
Having dabbled in pottery in her 20s, with a more recent interest in Japanese and Danish pottery, Janette is very happy to be portraying the well-known English potter, Amy Krauss, in this production of Poverty and Muse.
Franc Bol
A trained and experienced drama, media and primary teacher, Franc Bol has worked in theatre, film and television for
over 20 years. Franc studied theatre studies at Allen Hall Theatre, Otago University, becoming actively involved in all
areas of stagecraft within the Dunedin community.
Franc finally treads the boards again after a reprieve in which she focused on backstage roles and her work in film and
television. As stage manager for Poverty and Muse, Franc enjoys the cameo appearance on stage as Mrs Coggan.
Franc has regularly worked with One Man Banned and Imagine Theatre as stage manager and technician. She used to
frequent the television screens of Canterbury hosting talent show “Studio B” and has played small roles in
advertisements and films, including feature film, Snakeskin.
over 20 years. Franc studied theatre studies at Allen Hall Theatre, Otago University, becoming actively involved in all
areas of stagecraft within the Dunedin community.
Franc finally treads the boards again after a reprieve in which she focused on backstage roles and her work in film and
television. As stage manager for Poverty and Muse, Franc enjoys the cameo appearance on stage as Mrs Coggan.
Franc has regularly worked with One Man Banned and Imagine Theatre as stage manager and technician. She used to
frequent the television screens of Canterbury hosting talent show “Studio B” and has played small roles in
advertisements and films, including feature film, Snakeskin.