About Us

Jo Public began life in 1992, as a pub theatre based upstairs at The Griffin pub in Caversham, Berkshire, UK. The company was created by actor/director Gwen Daly and writer Mic Dover. Jo Public produced existing plays, as well as new work by emerging playwrights. The latter included 'Seconds', written by Mic Dover and Graham Jarvis, directed by Gwen Daly. 'Seconds' was successfully published that same year and various productions followed, including talent shows and poetry nights.

In 2003 Mic and Gwen emigrated to New Zealand and relaunched the company as Jo Public, Nga Tangata Productions based in Nelson, South Island. The first plays produced down under were performed in the yurt at the Free House pub in Nelson. Plays included 'A Busy Man', 'Late Equaliser' and 'Home Smart Home'. 'Home Smart Home' was re-recorded for radio and broadcast on RNZ National. In 2016 Jo Public started making short films. These included 'New Life, New Zealand' (a documentary) 'Late Equaliser', 'Starfish' and 'Monster Sale'. Late Equaliser won several laurels.

In 2024 Jo Public co-produced 'Love me Tinder' by Philomena Donlan for the Nelson Fringe and is currently working on new scripts for theatre and film.

Gwen Daly

Founder and creative director

Mic Dover

Founder and writer

Short Films

Late Equaliser

Billy Harper was a successful professional footballer in England, before retiring to run a pub in New Zealand. Proud father of three daughters, he long ago gave up hope of a son, when his wife Sarah accidentally falls pregnant. Meanwhile, Carlos Carlos, a young Argentinian football prodigy dies in a car crash and wakes up in the Celestial Recycling Centre to be told his only hope of ever playing football again is to be reborn as Billy and Sarah's new baby. Billy starts having very strange dreams that convince him the new baby will be not only a boy, but also be the world's greatest footballer. To Billy's horror, Sarah decides she wants a termination, so with the help of Carlos Carlos, he sets out to change his wife's mind.

Monster Sale

Harry is a small boy convinced there is a monster in his bedroom. His exasperated parents come up with the idea of selling the monster online to convince Harry it’s gone. But when a mysterious stranger clicks the Buy Now button, things start to get weird for the whole family!

Starfish

Contact Us

Email:

gwendalydover@gmail.com

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