Transgender play turned into short film

Joanna Pearce, right, directs Denise Snoad, left, and Adam Burrell, seated, in Testostrogen. 

A Sandspit playwright’s transgender play has been turned into a short film.

Testostrogen by Joanna Pearce was filmed in Sandspit and Warkworth and features local actors.

Testostrogen was originally produced at Auckland’s Pitt Street theatre. Afterwards, Joanna secured funding from Creative New Zealand to re-work the play and stage additional productions for school students in Mahurangi and Whangarei.

These productions were almost ready to be staged when Covid intervened and the student productions had to be abandoned.

Nevertheless, Joanna succeeded in securing permission from Creative New Zealand to use the remaining funding to turn the play into a 7.35-minute film.

Testostrogen tells the story of a man dealing with a powerful inclination to dress in women’s clothes and switch genders. It partially reflects Joanna’s own transgender journey.

“The film shows what happens when you decide to transgender. It is your decision, but it has a big effect on everybody else around you,” Joanna says.

The film stars professional actors Adam Burrell and Denise Snoad. It also features local talent Gavin Lewis, Amberlea Jones and Joanna’s son-in-law Paul Potatau, daughter Yosi Potatau and grandson Devonte Potatau.

“If you have an opportunity to give an experience to your family, why not do it,” Joanna says.

The final film can be found online at fabulosity.productions

Joanna is happy to speak at school or community screenings of the film. Email joanna@fabulosity.productions