The players were pretty darn nervous about whether or not they would be playing to an audience on Saturday night. The reason being that the Honest Liars’ show was clashing with a huge annual event – A night with fireworks – Guy Fawkes Fireworks!

Yes, the Fireworks Gala was on the same night. But the players need not have worried as more than enough people turned up to the Litt Park Theatre in Te Puke to have a good dose of comedy that the Honest Liars do so well.

A couple of hours before showtime, most of the players met at a private home for nibbles — a general get-together to get into the spirit of the night. Of course, much laughter and chatter went on while partaking of a glass of wine/beer that the players were allowed to have. (Or cider for the designated drivers).

From there the players then converged at the theatre. Most had not been there before, and there were oohs and ahs as they found their way past the bar, inspected the stage and then down into the green room.

Props such as wigs, hats and moustaches abounded, and naturally, Kathy just had to try on the Bishop’s Mitre as soon as she spied it. More so as Props was not to be one of the games played and she felt the twang of FOMO

There were a few rounds of games to get warmed up, the last check of the phones and it was then out on stage to a huge round of applause from the audience.

Sadly the ‘plant’ in the audience tried to get some good photos but was unable to deliver due to the stage lights being so bright. In fact, the heat that boomed out of them did make the players wonder if they should have been wearing some form of sun-screen or dark glasses! But the lights didn’t get the better of these seasoned performers as they brought forth their wit in all of the games much to the audience’s delight.

A round of World’s Worst followed by Questions, started the show and warmed both the audience and players up to what proved to be a fast-paced comedic first half. With the bar open for intermission, some of the crowd got a bit carried away and were late back to their seats. Kathy, who was emceeing the first game, quickly reminded these tardy characters that this was not an AA meeting but did refrain from sending them to the naughty corner.

The second half started with a loveable Film-Noir then flowed nicely into the rest of the games ending with one all audiences love – Emotional Symphony. Suggestions from the crowd for the games came thick and fast and were on point to produce cracking humour. Two audience members were brave enough to participate in the Change game and did exceptionally well.

By the time the show was over everyone had agreed that it had been an extremely successful night. The players went out into the foyer to meet with those who had seen the show and catch up with friends and family. It didn’t take long for the night’s performance to be put up onto Instagram by an audience member.

As for the fireworks? They could be heard very briefly around 8.30, but certainly made no impact on the show.

Needless to say, the players made use of the (still) open bar for a quick drink before heading back to the private home for a good de-brief!

 Thanks to all the players – you were all brilliant:

Neil Fee Melissa Kathy Kim Kay

Kelly O Brett Kelly D Kevin Jon