Joel Allen – Georges Feydeau/George

Joel has BPA from the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Art. Theatrical credits include South Pacific, Conscience, The Great Piratical Rumbustification and Gloomy Sunday at the Court Theatre in Christchurch. The king in Centrestage’s Puss and Boots. The Sorceror and Patience in Dunedin. In Wellington, Joel has appeared at Circa in Gloomy Sunday and as a giant in nappies for Kapitall Kids Theatre’s Jack and the Beanstalk, and in the Summer Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew. Most recently, at Fortune Theatre to play 16 different roles in I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! He returns to Dunedin this October to play principle role in Gilbert and Sullivan's Princess Ida. When not treading the boards, Joel enjoys plying his trade at the famous Island Bay Butchery.

Meredith Dooley – Cecile/Christine

Meredith had her first stage role, at age four, as one of Peter Rabbit’s numerous siblings. More recently, she studied acting and directing in London. She has appeared in Young and Hungry, the Fringe Festival and as a 12-year-old in The Imaginary Invalid. She’s been a cow and a chicken in Jack and The Beanstalk and was most recently seen playing the psychotic serial killer ‘Scout’ in Ben Elton’s Popcorn.

Nicola Pauling – Marianne/Anne

'Monkey’s Uncle' marks Nicola’s return to the New Zealand stage after five years in London. There she trained as a drama facilitator, working with young people in London, Uganda and Ethiopia. On her return to New Zealand, Nicola established 'Voice Arts Trust' where the art of performance is employed to empower disengaged young people. Nicola was a drama major at Canterbury University and has over 17 years stage experience, performing, directing and writing.

Mark Harris – Didier/Ben

Mark learnt his theatre trade at BATS in the early 80s, which took him from callow youth to seasoned performer, and enabled him to pick up other crafts such as lighting, set building, design and backstage. He’s even cleaned toilets. He directed his first full-length play in 1992 and has worked on a number of shows as actor, technician, designer and director (not always at the same time) and has also done hard time in theatre administration. Mark has also worked on television (Country GP, Inside Straight, Freaky), radio (Trout) and film (Without a Paddle). For Backyard, Mark acted in and co-directed Harold Pinter’s Betrayal in 2005.

Carol Reed – Yvette

Originally from the UK, Carol has been involved with Wellington theatre for a relatively short three years. A passion for performance followed on from singing lessons and Carol hasn’t looked back since. Predominantly involved with musicals, 2006 has seen her branch out into acting roles. In her mundane corporate existence, Carol is a sponsorship/business manager for Te Papa, following on from the completion of a thoroughly unrelated degree in politics and a postgraduate qualification in public relations.

Andrew Waterson – Levasseur / David

Andrew has been involved in various Wellington Theatre productions over the last three years including one previous performance for Backyard in The Real Thing which was part of a BBC2 documentary. You may have seen him most recently murdering people in the production of Squatter. After Monkey’s Uncle Andrew will be appearing in Theatre Pataphysical’s production of Lorca.

Alex Ness – Alphonse/Allan

Alex is a Wellingtonian born and bred. His day job sees him teaching about sexual and reproductive health and relationships as an educator for the Family Planning Association. He also spends a day a week youth working for Challenge 2000 a youth-based agency in Johnsonville. He has performed in several plays for children through Kidzstuff, most memorable perhaps as the Emperor in The Emperor’s new clothes. His most recent performance was during the 2006 Fringe Festival in Sarah Delahunty’s SuperBeast. Alex is looking forward to his role as Alphonse and the ensuing hair cut!