About the Play
Shaving Ewe is a comedic drama set in the rural New Zealand town of Chipton Valley, centred around the Ramshackle Bar, a hub for the local community. The story follows a group of locals as their small town is thrust into the spotlight when the international speed shearing finals are unexpectedly brought home.
Ultimately, Shaving Ewe is a story about community, ambition, rivalry, and the courage to step up when it matters most. It blends sharp Kiwi humour with heartfelt moments, exploring what it means to belong and what it takes to break free.
"This play perfectly depicts a slice of rural Kiwi life — we found ourselves wondering at times if this English fella who resides in Auckland had been eavesdropping on our conversations down at the pub."
Audience reviewWhy Stage Shaving Ewe?
Shaving Ewe fills a gap that doesn't get filled often enough: a play that is unashamedly, affectionately, and accurately New Zealand. The world of the Ramshackle Bar, Chipton Valley, and its people will feel immediately familiar to Kiwi audiences, and the comedy earns its laughs from character rather than caricature.
The play has a generous cast of 11, making it well-suited to community and amateur companies with a strong ensemble. The mix of humour and heart gives every character something to do and something to say.
As James's newest work, Shaving Ewe represents an exciting opportunity for any company looking to be among the first to stage it. Licensing enquiries are welcome through Playmarket NZ.
The Characters
- Bryce PalmerBar owner and councillor. Gruff, wily, and very much the man in charge — or so he thinks.
- Shel MillardBarperson and hairdresser. Sharp, ambitious, and ready to get out of Chipton Valley.
- Kerry 'Biff' OatenSheep shearer. Works hard, drinks hard, and doesn't think too hard.
- Cal ByfordSheep shearer. Works hard, thinks hard. The brains of the operation.
- John 'Sloop' BoyesShepherd and mechanic. A thief, a stoner, and strangely loveable.
- Chep EvansFarmer and handyman. Sarcastic, cynical, and bearing a grudge.
- Reece BiggerstaffAustralian shearer. Confident, competitive, insufferable.
- Barbie BiggerstaffTrophy wife. Has opinions of her own.
- Marty ShufflebottomAustralian shearer. Reece's less successful sidekick.
- Murray TussockHead of the NZ Sheep Shearing Federation. Gambling addict.
- Dick Handler / Kent BaldingCommentators (pre-recorded, optional).
Production Notes
The Ramshackle Bar is a simple Kiwi pub with a main entrance, a door to a beer garden, and an internal door leading to back rooms. A flat-screen TV, jukebox, and dartboard feature on the walls. Several tables, chairs, and four barstools complete the look.
For the shearing sequences, two fenced platforms are required. The play's set requirements are achievable for most community theatre spaces, and the production can scale up or down depending on resources.
Full licensing details are available through Playmarket NZ.