One of the most legendary couples on the New Zealand theatre scene, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst have acting resumes that range from pimps, to politicians, to animated versions of Buzzy Bee.  

They’ve been in countless productions together, but it had never been just the two of them on stage until their most recent stage work - In Other Words.  

In the show, the two play a married couple dealing with the onset of Alzheimer's, and it had a sold out run in Auckland last year.  

This year, Ward-Lealand and Hurst are taking the show across the nation, which Ward-Lealand told Jack Tame they’re thrilled to be doing. 

“It would be rare to find a New Zealander who hasn’t had some connection in some way to some, either member of their Whanau or friends, or friends of friends who’ve experienced dementia,” she said. 

Despite the serious topic, Hurst says the play isn’t particularly heavy. 

“It certainly confronts it, but it’s levity and uplifting and the human condition, and caring, and all of those things – and music. So all of those things which are part of the dealing of it.” 

Although there is levity in the play, Ward-Lealand and Hurst have taken care to represent the symptoms and reality of Alzheimer’s, which they say has been well received by audiences.  

“The feedback that we’ve had from people has been really, really humbling,” Ward-Lealand said. 

Dates and Venues 

Clarence St Theatre, Hamilton  
Hamilton Arts Festival  
22nd & 23rd Feb  
  
Circa Theatre, Wellington  
27th Feb – 2nd Mar & 5th – 8th March  
  
Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch  
13th – 15th Mar   
  
Dunedin   
TBA 2025  
  
Wānaka   
TBA 2025  
  
Opera House, Hastings  
4th Apr   
  
Q Theatre, Auckland   
11th-12th April   

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