For Leona Revell, every live performance is a unique shared experience—no two shows are ever quite the same. She believes theatre helps people feel seen and represented, just as it once gave her confidence by seeing herself reflected on stage. Whether through improv or traditional productions, theatre brings people together, builds empathy, and invites us to see the world from different perspectives. It can challenge our thinking, spark conversations long after the curtain falls, and even provide a welcome escape while supporting our wellbeing.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Leona Revell is the Outreach Director at Centrepoint Theatre, where she's passionate about taking theatre beyond the stage and into communities that might not otherwise experience it. Her favourite approach is improvisation, which she describes as a powerful way to build confidence, joy and genuine connection through the simple idea of listening and adding. Growing up in Taranaki, school theatre sports first sparked her love of performance, leading her to study the performing arts and later teach theatre sports in Palmerston North schools. Today she helps develop Centrepoint's youth workshops and creative programmes, believing theatre brings people together through confidence, teamwork and a real sense of belonging. 

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Maurice remembers the farming reforms of 1984 as one of the toughest periods for rural families, with low sheep and wool prices putting many farms under real pressure. There were brighter moments too, including winning a sheep competition that earned the family a trip to Honolulu, which they extended with a visit to the United States, leaving friends to look after the farm. He recalls how warmly they were welcomed wherever they went. Back home, Maurice's wife Chris became the local rural school bus driver, earning respect with her firm but fair approach while also helping on the farm and keeping the books. Together they lived a largely self-sufficient lifestyle, growing their own food, preserving fruit, and remaining closely connected to their school and community.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Maurice Entwisle's love of practical work began early. At school he developed strong engineering skills and even won a prize for metalwork, talents that soon saw him helping neighbours repair machinery and tackle farm jobs. One of his proudest achievements was helping build a bridge across the Kiwitea Stream, using railway lines driven deep into the riverbed—a bridge that still stands after many major floods. Maurice remembers farming as long, demanding and sometimes dangerous work, but also deeply rewarding. As farming evolved from community hay baling to modern machinery, the family concentrated on sheep and cattle, while his wife Chris became a familiar face driving local school buses.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Maurice Entwisle was born in Feilding in 1937 and grew up on the family farm at Beaconsfield, a property his grandfather acquired in 1921. His early years were shaped by country life, from cycling along gravel roads to a tiny one-teacher school at Beaconsfield to later boarding at Feilding Agricultural High School. Although he never enjoyed the classroom as much as the farm, he developed practical engineering and farming skills that stayed with him throughout life. Maurice also recalls wartime rationing, radio reports from the war, and the hard work of transforming bush and rabbit-infested land into productive farmland.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Mark Kilsby recalls unusual theatre experiences and roles.

He acted in two different plays on the same evening.

He raced between theatres and changed costumes quickly.

One role was a hairy godmother, another a psychiatrist.

A delayed performance nearly disrupted both productions.

He remembers a favourite review that poked fun at him.

At one stage he appeared in six plays in a year.

Theatre demanded rehearsals almost every day of the week.

He found acting a valuable escape from work pressures.

Memorable costumes included playing the clock in Cogsworth.

He believes theatre builds understanding of many lives.

Audience reactions are a vital part of live theatre.

An oral history interview looking at the past and present of Palmerston North and the Manawatū, produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Mark Kilsby has assisted theatre productions at Boys High since 2007.

He helped students with acting and stage performance skills.

He preferred co-directing rather than leading alone.

Junior musical theatre trained younger boys for later productions.

He enjoyed watching boys grow into confident young men.

Theatre helped students build confidence and life skills.

Mark worked for the New Zealand Forest Service.

He later spent most of his career in the public service.

Many restructures changed his working life over the years.

He retired quickly and later wished he had planned more.

Retirement brought acting, theatre and unusual performance roles.

He reflected warmly on theatre, teaching and helping others.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Mark Kilsby Part 4 of 6

Mark Kilsby shared stories from acting and volunteer work.

He took part as a Hobbit at a Wellington film premiere.

A protest stopped his chance to walk the red carpet.

He spent the day waiting in costume with hairy Hobbit feet.

He later worked as an extra in The Hobbit film.

After filming he returned home to find it had been burgled.

Mark acts as pet owners for Massey vet training.

He also helps trainee doctors practise communication skills.

For many years he has volunteered at a primary school.

He supports children aged around nine and ten with reading.

He sees teachers taking on many wider support roles.

Mark finds helping children rewarding and deeply meaningful.

Produced by Manawatū People's Radio with the support of New Zealand On Air.

Stuart Birks and Diane McConnell continue their conversation with Mark Kilsby about his long involvement in theatre, from Palmerston North’s Summer Shakespeare productions to stage work, improv, film roles, and photo shoots. Mark reflects on the commitment and craft of performing Shakespeare outdoors, memorable theatre traditions, staying active as an actor, and the value of fitness and improvisation in keeping both body and mind engaged. He also shares stories from screen work in New Zealand productions, working alongside Dame Kate Harcourt, and the unexpected opportunities that have come through acting later in life.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with the support of NZ On Air.

Stuart Birks and Diane McConnell continue their conversation with Mark Kilsby about a life in theatre. Mark reflects on performing in Whanganui’s theatre scene, the emotional demands of roles such as Billy in Gulls, the challenge of keeping going when lines disappear, and the craft of building character through empathy, observation, and life experience. He also shares stories from two decades performing as Manuel in interactive Fawlty Towers-style dinner theatre at Haydn Country Estate, where improvisation, audience reactions, and comic mishaps made every night different.

Produced by Manawatū People’s Radio with the support of NZ On Air.