Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst: Kiwi actors on their show ’In Other Words’

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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