Joe Bennett
OUR PATRON
Joe Bennett is a columnist and author but far more importantly a former Riccartonian. He performed in several shows towards the end of last century, including Teachers, Pack of Girls, Tiggy Tiggy Touchwood and a wonderful absurdist production written by Patrick Evans, and he was several times Master of Ceremonies at the notorious Palace of Varieties.
RICCARTON PLAYERS 2025 COMMITTEE
Meet the 2025 Committee Members.
Alistair Bean
President
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Alistair has been involved with Riccarton Players since 1985 when he appeared onstage as Captain Arthur Keller in their 25th Anniversary Production of “The Miracle Worker”
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He has also performed on stage since 1982 in such productions as Les
Misérables, Chess, Evita, Grease, West Side story as both a Jet and a Shark,
Jesus Christ Superstar, Seussical, Lend me a Tenor, What the Butler saw, to name a few, with Riccarton Players, Christchurch Operatic
Society/Showbiz Christchurch, where he was also a Committee Member,
Canterbury Children’s Theatre, Invercargill Musical Theatre,
Invercargill Repertory Society and as an extra on Three Seasons of McPhail
and Gadsby with other TVNZ Credits and Day Player Movie roles.
He has Directed three plays for Riccarton Players – “Dracula” by Ted Tiller, “The Men’s Room” by Patrick Evans and “The Red Couch” which he also wrote as his first ever One Act Play and won the Theatrefest Aotearoa NZ Award in 2022 for this new work .
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Alistair runs his own business, lives in Governors Bay with his Wife. They have
four Adult Children, One Grandchild, four Goldadors (Labrador/Retriever Dogs)
and a Cat called Maple.
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Donna Masters
Treasurer
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My first show with Riccarton Players was in 1998. Early 2000’s I lived 3 years in London and then more recently had 5 years in Australia. Coming back to Christchurch each time and doing shows again (or even just Front of House, backstage or attending Social events if not on stage) with Riccarton Players was so comforting. Renewing friendships and making new ones – there is “No place like Home” and that is what this Group is for me.
I have been in Musicals, Kidsfest plays, and of course the legendary ‘Arpov’. This year 2023 is my first on the Committee, and I was honoured to be nominated Treasurer (Accounts is my daytime job).
Lauren Moore
Secretary​
Michelle Histen
Props / Publicity / Social Media
Colleen Lewis
Wardrobe
Andrew Gordon
Committee
Donna Bilas
Committee
Giles Wood
Committee
Sandy Wilson
Committee
Sarah Templeton
Committee
Susan Cameron
Committee
Emma Gordon
Technical and Online Bookings
I have been involved with theatre since moving back to Christchurch in 2009, mainly working on lighting and sound. My first show for Riccarton Players was Tortoise and the Hare Playbox at the Mill Theatre and I can’t have done too bad a job since I was allowed to come back again! After being involved with most Riccarton shows in one form or another over the last few years, this is my first year on committee. In my other life I work in a medical laboratory part time and am a mother to a very busy wee boy.