Co-facilitated by gay Aucklander Borni Te Rongopai Tukiwaho, Last Chance Café is a play put on by the Hobson Street Players, of 140 Hobson Street, Auckland. If you didn’t know, 140 Hobson Street is the address for the City Mission – just up the street from the Sky Tower and the Police Station – if you ever need some help. And there are times when EVERYONE needs a kind word, a professional ear or a little lift. But, this isn’t about the Mission, it’s about the Hobson Street Players – one of many activities programmes offered by the Auckland City Mission. The Last Chance Café is a story developed by The Players themselves and the characters are based on their own stories. The play is illuminating, witty, humbling and powerful. The beauty of the tale lies in the telling, which is done with dignity, grace and a sense of humour. You will attend a show in a professional theatre with a set and costumes hobbled together like any other stage show. The actors are not professionals (yet!) but it made me wonder. Each person on that stage was so comfortable. Natural. Then it dawned on me that much of the homeless population has to live their life so publicly that are always on a sort of stage. (Humbling.) And the Mission is the Last Chance Café – a safe place to go for warmth and food and respect and community/family. (Powerful.) And then one of the players would throw out a line that made everyone scream with laughter! (Witty.) Audience and cast alike giggled like a pack of teenagers over a keening wail – we’re not so different. (Illuminating.) Most of us have been in a place where one bad decision or lost pay check could put us in need of The Hobson City Players and their Last Chance Café. If you’re lucky enough not to have experienced that fear – bless! Here’s your chance to learn a teeny bit about it in a safe environment that doesn’t pull on your heartstrings or ask for anything other than professional courtesy in a theatre. Opening night, I got to share a story with a cross section of my community that most rarely interact with. I heard bits of their stories, dressed up for the stage or course, but in their own words. It was an experience that I highly recommend. This isn’t charity – it is a night at the theatre. It is a GREAT night at the theatre! Huzzah Hobson Street Players! I look forward to your next production. - Nykki Porteous More details about the story and the cast here LAST CHANCE CAFÉ is at the Herald Theatre till Saturday 1 November Tickets here Nykki Porteous - 30th October 2014