Jennifer Ward-Lealand: Theatre

 

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T H E A T R E

2011

Rita Angus in Rita and Douglas adapted by Dave Armstrong
Director: Conrad Newport
Armstrong Creative
Auckland Town Hall (22-26 November)
Tauranga Arts Festival (20 October)
Nelson Arts Festival (15-17 October)
Christchurch Arts Festival (18-21 August)
Taranaki Festival of the Arts (12-13 August)

Ouisa Kittredge in Six Degrees of Separation by John Guare
Director: Colin McColl
Playreading as part of "Inspiring Works"
Auckland Writers & Readers Festival/Auckland Theatre Company

Rita Angus in Rita and Douglas adapted by Dave Armstrong
Director: Conrad Newport
Armstrong Creative
Festival of Colour: Queenstown (12 April), Lake Wanaka (16 April)

Viv in Poor Boy by Matt Cameron and Tim Finn
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Auckland Theatre Company

2010

Barbie in TOYS by Natalie Medlock and Dan Musgrove
Director: Cameron Rhodes/Toby Leach
Royale Productions

Barbara in August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
Director: Colin McColl
Auckland Theatre Company

Francoise Miguel in She Came to Stay by Dean Parker
Director: Sylvia Rands
(workshop/play reading)
Stepping Stone Project

Martha in That Face by Polly Stenham
Director: Shane Bosher
Silo Theatre

Dominique Le Bons in Le Sud by Dave Armstrong
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Auckland Theatre Company

2009

Rebecca in Passages by Fiona Graham
Director: Lauren Jackson
(workshop; selected scenes)
STAMP Double Shot

Mrs. Sowerberry and Mrs. Bedwin in Oliver! by Lionel Bart
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Auckland Theatre Company

Tekla in Creditors by August Strindberg
Directors: Paul Gittins, Michael Hurst
Ford Transit Productions

Kaye in Ghost Train by Fiona Samuel
Director: Catherine Downes
(playreading)
Auckland Theatre Company Literary Unit

2008

The Look of Love, Evocative/Provocative
Downstage Theatre

Dominique Le Bons in Le Sud by Dave Armstrong
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
(semi-staged reading)
Auckland Theatre Company "The Next Stage"

Jenny Diver in The Threepenny Opera by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill
Director: Michael Hurst
Silo Theatre and The Large Group

2007

Connie White in My Name is Gary Cooper by Victor Rodger
Director: Roy Ward
Auckland Theatre Company

Jennifer Ward-Lealand Falling in Love Again
Downstage Theatre

Helen and Sybil in Decadence by Steven Berkoff
Director: Paul Gittins
Licentious Productions

Mrs. Williams in Advance in Order by James Milne and Kip Chapman Director: Cameron Rhodes
(playreading)
Auckland Theatre Company Literary Unit

Danielle in Mike and Virginia by Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward
Director: Peter Elliott
(semi-staged reading)
Auckland Theatre Company "The Next Stage"

2006

Sabine Leutenegger in Berlin--Cabaret of Desire conceived by John Verryt, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Paul Barrett
Director: John Verryt
Silo Theatre

Danielle in Mike and Virginia by Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward
Director: Roy Ward
(playreading)
Auckland Theatre Company Literary Unit

Olivia in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Director: Michael Hurst
Auckland Theatre Company

2005

Rachel in Sex with Strangers-Second Edition by Maria Gaoa and actors
Director: Colin Mitchell
Colin Mitchell Production

Stevie in The Goat, or Who is Sylvia? by Edward Albee
Director: Oliver Driver
Silo Theatre

Sally in The Bach by Stephen Sinclair
Director: Sarah Peirse
Auckland Theatre Company

2004

Sally in The Bach by Stephen Sinclair
Director: Sarah Peirse
Auckland Theatre Company

Aunt Dottie/Emily Greenleaf in The Talented Mr. Ripley by Phyllis Nagy
Director: Oliver Driver
Auckland Theatre Company

2003

Sally in The Bach by Stephen Sinclair
Director: Danny Mulheron
(semi-staged reading)
Auckland Theatre Company "Second Unit"

Annie in The Love of Humankind by Brian Sergent
(playreading)
Auckland Theatre Company Literary Unit

Marlene in Marlene by Pam Gems
Director: Ilona Rodgers
(potent pause) Productions

Mrs. Braddock in The Graduate by Terry Johnson
Director: Simon Prast
Auckland Theatre Company

2002

Anna in Old Times by Harold Pinter
Director: Paul Gittins
(potent pause) Productions

2000

The Witch in Into the Woods by Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Auckland Theatre Company

1998

Susanna Hall in The Herbal Bed by Peter Whelan
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Auckland Theatre Company

1996

Sara Jane Moore/Emma Goldman in Assassins by Stephen Sondheim
Director: Simon Bennett
Watershed Theatre

1995

Janet in The New Rocky Horror Show
Director: Nigel Triffitt
Paul Dainty/Stetson Productions
NZ National Tour

1993

Girl in Tell Me On a Sunday by Stephen Sondheim
Director: Cath Cardiff
Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra

1992

Sally Bowles in Cabaret by Kander and Ebb
Director: Michael Hurst
Watershed Theatre

Singer/Actor in Side by Side by Sondheim
Director: Ingrid Prossor
Wellington Music Theatre

Viola in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Director: Glen Elston
Adelaide International Festival of the Arts

1991

Phyllis Rodgers-Stone in Follies by Stephen Sondheim
Director: Bob Addisson
Baycourt Theatre

Lyn in Via Satellite by Anthony McCarten
Director: Paul Gittins
Mercury Theatre

Renee/Girl in Magazine/Woman at Party in M Butterfly by David Henry Hwang
Director: Paul Minifie
Mercury Theatre

Eileen in The Sex Fiend by Stephen Sinclair and Danny Mulheron
Director: Chris Scheil
Mercury Theatre

1990

Carrie Pipperidge in Carousel by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Mercury Theatre

Singer/Actor in This Joint is Jumpin'
Director: Cath Cardiff
Mercury Theatre

Bridget in A Slice of Saturday Night by the Heather Brothers
Director: Paul Minifie
Mercury Theatre

Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht
Director: Michael Hurst
Inside Out Theatre

Glenda in The One That Got Away by The Front Lawn
Directed by Don McGlashan, Harry Sinclair and Jennifer Ward-Lealand
1990 Universal Theatre Melbourne Comedy Festival (Melbourne, Australia)
 
1989

Singer/Actor in A Marvellous Party by Noel Coward
Director: Paul Minifie
The Gods: Mercury Upstairs

Glenda in The One That Got Away by The Front Lawn
Directed by Don McGlashan, Harry Sinclair and Jennifer Ward-Lealand
Centrepoint Theatre (Palmerston North)
Memorial Theatre (Wellington)
Maidment Theatre (Auckland)
Mayfair Theatre (Dunedin)
The Purcell Room, South Bank Centre (London, England)
Canongate, Edinburth Fringe Festival (Edinburgh, Scotland)
Perth Theatre (Perth, Scotland)
Donmar Warehouse, Pick of the Fringe (Longon, England)
Painted Bride Theatre (Philadelphia, PA, USA)
Dance Theatre Workshop (New York, NY, USA
Walker Arts Centre (Minneapolis, MN, USA)
See an interview with The Front Lawn as they left New Zealand, including brief excerpts from the show.

1988

Singer/Actor in The Irving Berlin Show
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
The Gods: Mercury Upstairs

Lt. Genevieve Marshall in South Pacific by Rodgers and Hammerstein
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Mercury Theatre

Young Girl in Yerma by Garcia Lorca
Director: Lee Grant
The Gods: Mercury Upstairs

Nana in Nana by Olwen Wymark; novel by Emile Zola
Director: Paul Minifie
Mercury Theatre

Singer/Actor in Rodgers and Hart
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Mercury Theatre

Various roles in The Three Musketeers; adapted by Stuart Hoar from Alexander Dumas
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Mercury Theatre

Polly Peachum in The Threepenny Opera by Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht
Director: Colin McColl
Downstage Theatre

1987

Singer/Actor in Side by Side by Sondheim
Director: Alison Quigan
Centrepoint Theatre

Charlotte in The Real Thing by Tom Stoppard
Director: Alison Quigan
Centrepoint Theatre

Eugenia in Breaking the Silence by Stephen Poliakoff
Director: Alison Quigan
Centrepoint Theatre

Lavinia in Strip by Lorae Parry
Director: Ellie Smith
Centrepoint Theatre

1986

Helen of Troy in The Trojan Women by Euripides
Director: Sarah Peirse and Michael Hurst
Public Works Performing Arts Collective

Nell in Pass it On by Renee
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Lily in As Is by William Hoffman
Director: Murray Lynch
Theatre Corporate

Singer/Actor in Stretchmarks by Sarah Delahunty
Director: Stephanie Smith
Theatre Corporate

First Witch in Macbeth by William Shakespeare
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Eva in Absurd Person Singular by Alan Ayckbourn
Director: Murray Lynch
Theatre Corporate

Hedda in Hedda Gabler
Director: Paul Sonne
Theatre Corporate

Moll in The Threepenny Opera by Brecht
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

1985

Agnes in Agnes of God by John Pielmeier
Director: Sarah Peirse
Mercury Theatre

Platinum Sue in Trafford Tanzi by Claire Luckham
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Various roles in Catastrophe by Samuel Beckett
Director: Paul Gittins
Theatre Corporate
 
1984

Kit Kat Girl in Cabaret by Kander and Ebb
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Theatre Corporate

Various roles in Amphigouri Allegretto
Director: Gillian Sutton
Theatre Corporate

Angie and Pope Joan in Top Girls by Caryl Churchill
Director: Sarah Peirse
Theatre Corporate

Emilia and Mopsa in A Winter's Tale by William Shakespeare
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Theatre Corporate

Pip in The Clowns by Raymond Hawthome
Theatre Corporate

Zero in Ictus by Michael Hurst
Director: Michael Hurst
Theatre Corporate
 
1983

Leni in The Trial by Stephen Berkoff; from Kafka
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Bolette in The Lady from the Sea by Henrik Ibsen
Director: Raymond Hawthorne
Theatre Corporate

The Daughter in Rip Tide by Harry Sinclair
Directors: Harry Sinclair and Michael Hurst
Theatre Corporate

Dance Hall Doll in A Street Called Straight by Seamus Quinn
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Regan in King Lear by William Shakespeare
Director: Roger McGill
Theatre Corporate

Theatre Corporate Community Theatre Company
(Theatre in Education touring company), directed byRoger McGill:

Maori Myths

Story Theatre

Starters by Norelle Scott
 
1981

Viola in Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare
Directors: Anne Flannery & Ian McClymont
BATS Theatre

The Town and Country Players
(community theatre company touring North Island of New Zealand, directed by Murray Edmond):

various roles in Coming Through the Rye

Blossom the Clown in You Can't Be Brave Until You've Been Afraid by Murray Edmond

Madame Popova in The Bear by Anton Chekhov

various roles in Once Twice Thrice Upon a Tale by Joy Cowley

1980

Mary Warren in The Crucible by Arthur Miller
Director: Anne Flannery
BATS Theatre

1979

various roles in There's No Point Arguing the Toss by Don Haworth
Downstage Youth Teatre
Director: John Banas

1978

Benvolio in Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare
Director: John Banas
Downstage Youth Theatre

 

  

2011:  As Rita Angus in Rita and Douglas

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand is completely immersed in Angus' persona . . .   She presents a stunningly dramatic and emotional monologue . . . a consummate performance" (Nelson Mail)

 

 

 

 

2011:  As Viv in Poor Boy

"Her singing of I Hope I Never was the most poignant . . . she manages to extract every nuance from it." (NBR)

Photo: Michael Smith

 

2010:  As Barbara in August: Osage County

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand
is stunningly good as Barb" (Theatreview)



2010:  As Martha in That Face

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand presents a brilliantly realised dipsomaniac Martha". (NBR)

 


(photo:  Andrew Malmo)

 

2010:  As Dominique Le Bons in Le Sud

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand . . . brings the house down" (NZ Herald)



2009:  As Mrs. Sowerberry in Oliver!

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand flexes her versatile character skills first as the awfully unpleasant shrew Mrs. Sowerberry . . . and in act two as the gentle and dignified noblewoman Mrs. Bedwin"." (Theatreview)


2009:  As Tekla in Creditors
(photo:  Andrew Malmo)

"The triangle is powerfully closed by Jennifer Ward-Lealand's mercurial performance as the alluring and infuriating Tekla - a restless, volatile woman who flits between frivolous vanity, steely determination and moments of selfless compassion."(NZ Herald)

2008:  As Jenny Diver in The Threepenny Opera

"BEST PLAY:  THE THREEPENNY OPERA.  . . . Jennifer Ward-Lealand's intoxicating rendition of Mac the Knife is still ringing in our ears." (Best of Auckland 2008, Metro)

See Jennifer on You Tube performing during the dress rehearsal.





2007:  As Connie White in My Name is Gary Cooper

" . . . the cast of eight is superb.  Standouts:   Ward-Lealand--taut, tanned and attached to a martini glass . . . " (Listener)


2007:   As Helen in Decadence
(photo:  Andrew Malmo)

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Lawrence . . . give a master class in acting that makes for must-see theatre.  Their accents, physicality and characterisation are pretty much faultless; a joy for an audience to watch and an inspiration for wannabe actors." (NZ Herald)


2006:  As Sabine Leutenegger in Berlin

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand's Sabine is chillingly Teutonic, with a comic wryness and leggy sauciness." (Listener)

 


(photo:  Andrew Malmo)


(photo:  John McDermott)

2006:   As Olivia in Twelfth Night

"The delicate interactions between Viola and Olivia produce some wonderfully poignant moments, notably when Jennifer Ward-Lealand's magisterial countess dissolves into a lovestruck teenager as she is captivated by the overpowering sweetness of Viola" (NZ Herald)

2005:   As Stevie in The Goat

" . . . Ward-Lealand is formidable. As she unleashes primal howls, her depth of pain and rage is terrifying." (Listener)


(photo:  Andrew Malmo)

(photo:  Andrew Malmo)

 

2005:  As Sally in The Bach

"Ward-Lealand has impeccable timing as Sally." (Listener)

 

2002:  As Marlene

" . . . Ward-Lealand is glorious as Marlene.  She sings; she is coquettish; she cracks one-liners with cruel glee." (New Zealand Herald)


2002:  As Anna in Old Times

"Ward-Lealand, like her character, rather devours the other two. Her Anna, charming and dangerous, is the link between them and she performs with a juggler's dexterity." (New Zealand Herald)


(photo:  Andrew Malmo)


2000:   As The Witch in Into the Woods

"If there's one standout moment, it's when the Witch (Jennifer Ward-Lealand) sings 'Last Midnight' - truly spinetingling." (Listener)

1998:  As Susanna Hall in The Herbal Bed

"The central character, a jewel of a role, is played with a contained complexity by Jennifer Ward-Lealand.  She has the right mix of intelligence, shrewdness and purity of spirit." (Listener)

1995:   As Janet in The New Rocky Horror Show

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand is the deliciously ditzy Janet that Susan Sarandon might have wished she could be."  (Sunday Star-Times)


1992:  As Sally Bowles in Cabaret

"When Jennifer Ward-Lealand, singing Sally Bowles - the role she was born to play - finishes the title song unaccompanied and with a wild-eyed desperation in her eyes and we don't even dare applaud, we realise that we're watching great theatre - and not just great cabaret." (New Zealand Herald)

 

1990:   As Carrie Pepperidge in Carousel

"Ward-Lealand snares every comedy opportunity, and her singing . . . is as good as any in town . . . she tops the list." (Auckland Star)


1990:  As Glenda in The One That Got Away

"The acting is fabulous. . . . (The Front Lawn) are an extremely polished and talented trio, and those who were worried about the recent addition of a woman to the group can relax; Jennifer Ward-Lealand is just terrific."  (Melbourne In Press)


1988:  In The Irving Berlin Show

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand is splendid.  She has a gutsy, glamorous presence and a strong, true voice to match." (New Zealand Herald)


1988:  As Nana

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand gives a commanding performance in the title role.  She is alternatively regarded as the object of the audience's delight, pity, distaste and desire and manipulates these turns in her character well.  She brings considerable strength to the part and holds her sometimes captivated audience with obvious confidence and relish."  (Inner City News)


1988: In Rodgers and Hart

"Rodgers and Hart . . . belongs to Jennifer Ward-Lealand.  She subtly and stylishly stole what we knew would be a subtle and stylish show. . . . She was comic and catastrophe in perfect balance in Ten Cents a Dance; a clever blend of smart and innocent in You Took Advantage of Me; bedazzling in Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered; and she swung Johnny One Note the right note, right on."  (New Zealand Herald)

1987:  As Lavinia in Strip

"But the pre-eminent performer . . . is Jennifer Ward-Lealand.  She has built on her 'gawky innocent' in recent performances, until here she wins our hearts as the aspiring actress quoting from The Seagull." (Dominion)

1986:   As Hedda Gabler

"Jennifer Ward-Lealand's portrayal of Hedda Gabler is arresting . . . (she) captures the audience's undivided attention from the very first time she walks on stage.  Most importantly, her portrayal shows fine sensitivity to the nuances of the script."  (Inner City News)

1985:  As Agnes in Agnes of God

"As Agnes, Jennifer Ward-Lealand is an electrifying combination of distracted guilt and vengeful rage."  (New Zealand Herald)

 
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