A Rippon Good Night!

An evening of love and laughter.

A Rippon Good Night! Fundraiser.

After years of paying it forward, Todd and Pippa Rippon need our help.

Todd, a Wellington film, television and stage actor and director for many years, has Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. His condition is very treatable, but it is serious, and requires chemotherapy. This has left him unable to work for several months. Pippa works part-time. Money is tight.

Ironically, in his former role as Vice President of Actors’ Equity New Zealand, Todd was one of a group of people instrumental in setting up the NZ Actors’ Benevolent Fund. The Fund is not yet established enough to help the Rippon family.

That’s where A Rippon Good Night! comes in. A group of Actors’ Equity members and friends, with the help and support of Circa Theatre Board and staff, have created a variety show to raise enough money to help the Rippons through this difficult time.

Actors’ Equity New Zealand President Jennifer Ward-Lealand is coming down from Auckland to lend her stunning singing power. She heads a glittering cast including theatre and film legends Dame Kate Harcourt and Ken Blackburn, glamour trio The Beat Girls, Gavin Rutherford’s saucy panto Dame, Tom Knowles’ raunchy rock god, and many more.

Offerings range from opera to jazz to comedy, A Rippon Good Night! promises to be a couple of hours of sparkling wit, musical magic, hilarity and fun – and raffles!

Produced by Circa Theatre in association with Godiva Productions.

From Circa Theatre:
"Circa Theatre is delighted to support A Rippon Good Night! and would like to thank all the theatre artists who have volunteered their time to help a fellow performer in a time of need - from the organisers, performers, technicians front of house, to the ushers, and the many others who have helped in so many ways. We acknowledge the kindness of the cast and crew of 'Waiting For Godot', for allowing us to use Circa One for this show.

At the Women in Theatre Hui held at Circa last year the well-being of theatre practitioners was highlighted, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand suggested that all theatres plan benefit concerts or performances to help build up the Actors' Benevolent Fund.

We made a commitment to support that Fund, and welcome the opportunity to specifically help Todd and his family at this difficult time. We hope that other organisations are able find the means to add their support." - Linda Wilson, Director of Programming Group & Secretary, Circa Theatre

‘A rippon good night!’ is a variety show featuring:
- Jennifer Ward-Lealand
- Dame Kate Harcourt
- The Beat Girls – Andrea Sanders, Carrie McLaughlin and Kali Kopae.
- April Phillips
- Andrew London
- Greg Crayford
- Ken Blackburn
- Jane Keller
- Tom Knowles
- Gavin Rutherford
- Lorae Parry
- Carmel McGlone
- Phil Darkins
- The Vocal Wing Opera Group
- Pianist – Ruth Armishaw
- MC – Pinky Agnew

For more information, photos and bios, please contact:
Pinky Agnew (027 2401494) pinky@pinkyagnew.com or Colleen McColl colleen@thepublicist.co.nz