Events 2011

Hatch raises funds for the Writers' Centre

Hatch A play by Geoff Chapple Starring Stuart Devenie

The Victoria Picture Palace and Theatre, Devonport    
Monday May 30, 8 pm
Tickets $35

A fund-raising performance of Hatch, starring renowned actor Stuart Devenie, was held in May bringing the play to the North Shore for the first time.

Hatch is a rollicking one-man play based on a shocking true story from New Zealand’s past, with alarming insights into the country’s record on conservation. Joseph Hatch, upstanding citizen, ex-Mayor of Invercargill, Member of Parliament and successful businessman, was thrust headfirst into an international controversy over his slaughter of more than three million penguins on Macquarie Island.

He was hounded by the New Zealand Government, The Times of London, the Seamen's Union and even H.G. Wells for his slaughter of penguins - the first international conservation effort.

In this production Hatch will, as he did in 1920, try to clear his name and justify his actions. You be the judge.

Hatch was written by Geoff Chapple while he held the first ever residency at the Michael King Writers’ Centre in Devonport in 2005. The play, described as a theatrical tour-de-force by the NZ Herald, was produced by the Auckland Theatre Company, staged as part of the Auckland Arts Festival 2007, and has toured New Zealand and Tasmania. The play returns to Devonport for one night only, for its first performance on Auckland’s North Shore.

Geoff Chapple and Stuart Devenie will be available to meet members of the audience after the performance.

The evening is a fund-raiser for the Michael King Writers’ Centre. Tickets cost $35.

For tickets or further information, please phone 09 445 8451 or email writerscentre

The Michael King Writers’ Centre wishes to thank Geoff and Stuart for their support.