Whilst working overseas, Brian Hannam studied drama and directed his first play in England where he wrote and staged his own script The 73rd Day. He directed that play again in Canada and won awards. After returning to New Zealand he wrote The Waitara Purchase which has had four professional productions and toured to various centres.
He wrote The Siege which was performed in Hamilton and toured to several Waikato towns.
In between, he directed over 50 productions for theatre companies in New Plymouth, Hamilton, around the Waikato and in Tauranga. He has performed in many stage productions and taught high school drama.
Playmarket sponsored two workshops of his play Len … the life and times of Len Lye in 2008 and 2009 and Auckland Theatre Company included this play in their showcase/workshop ‘The Next Stage’ in 2009.
He wrote and produced the famous West Coast Miners Music Hall for the Hokitika Dramatic Society in 2015 as part of the 150 years commemoration of the West Coast gold rushes.
Mister Seddon looks at the life and times of ‘King Dick’, Richard John Seddon, probably the most effective Prime Minister and charismatic character to stroll the NZ political stage.
Brian wrote Lost Boys, based on the true story of 128 convicts who were deported to New Zealand in 1842.
Most of Brian’s plays have expandable casts. Many characters can be doubled.