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MEET & GREET
Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst (both performers and directors), Jennifer’s stepmum Rula and Ruby the cat.
THE PROPERTY
An airy, character-filled three-bedroom villa in the central Auckland suburb of Westmere.
If Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Michael Hurst’s Auckland property was a play, it would entail many acts. Included would be more than two decades’ worth of multi-generational living, spectacular parties and celebrations of significant milestones. The storyline would also have to feature special beginnings – the couple’s two sons, now young adults, were both born here.
For 26 years, the circa-1900 three-bedroom villa in Auckland’s Westmere has remained the couple’s constant while their family has grown and their award-winning acting, singing and directing careers have taken them from stage classics as part of the Auckland Theatre Company’s 30th anniversary season. Michael, an ONZM and New Zealand Arts Laureate, will play the title role and co-direct the Shakespearean play, while Jennifer – ONZM, CNZM, 2020 New Zealander of the Year and recipient of the title Te Atamira (The Stage) for championing te reo – will play Kent, a male role.
