About Awkward Productions

Awkward Productions are the brainchild of Deborah Pope, teacher, director and recently returned NZ’er with international experience and awards. Edinburgh1999, Paris 2004, Brasil 1998.

 

Deborah Pope - Director

Deborah trained in circus in Paris and London. She has worked with Britain’s premier circus, theatre, opera companies and her solo work includes the Royal Opera, Bill Bryden’s, The Big Picnic and Ra Ra Zoo. Her own company No Ordinary Angels work included International Festivals in Munich, Cadiz, Australia, Edinburgh and New Zealand. Deborah has choreographed and directed for film ,TV, Opera, circus and theatre and produced large scale events for The Docklands, Covent Garden , The Corn Exchange, Cambridge and installations for The Tramway, Glasgow and Three Mill Island, London. She was head coach at The Millenium Dome and Associate Director of Circus OZ (2002-5). Back in NZ, she has created Awkward Productions, unique & NZ.

 

Returning to New Zealand , Deborah , recognised the physicality of New Zealanders, the interest in new forms of theatre and the ability of circus theatre to create lyrical, spectacular and quirky material, capable of exporting NZ culture to the world aka Circus OZ and Cirque Eloise.

 

Awkward was formed in 2006 and has developed a range of events, productions, workshops and festivals with a unique and NZ appeal.

 

Awkward have created and produced Perilous, Wellington’s Circus Festival(07,08,09) Vector Circus Proms, MFC (07,08) and Chills and Thrills, Petone(07,08) and Adagio 08.

 

Derek Simpson – Producer.

Derek trained as an Actor at East15 Acting School, London in the mid 70’s and he earned his Equity card as a comedy acrobat. His career took a backstage turn and he worked as a Production Manager in several UK theatres working with the likes of Harold Pinter, Bob Hoskins, David Thacker, Brian Cox, Max Stafford Clarke and many more. In 2003 he arrived in New Zealand with his family and has worked as Producer and Production Manager on numerous shows including a 5-year association with The Conch Theatre Company, Producer for “Penumbra” for the Auckland Festival07 and teaching at Toi Whakaari. In 2009 he produced the Capital E National Arts Festival and for the past 2 years he has worked closely with Deborah Pope developing the various outlets for Awkward Productions.

Derek Simpson
Tel: 04 977 0327
Mbl: 0276728344
fitt.simpson@xtra.co.nz

 

Previous Family Clients

Wellington City Council, Hutt City Council, Porirua City Council

 

Previous Corporate Clients

Suzuki, Creative New Zealand, Wellington City Council, Porirua City Council