Our story
About us
The road to entrepreneurship is often a treacherous one filled with unexpected detours, roadblocks and dead ends. There are lots of sleepless nights, plans that don’t work out, funding that doesn’t come through and customers (ticket purchasers) that never materialize! It can be so challenging to launch a business that it may make you wonder why anyone willingly sets out on such a path. For The Macpherson’s, launching STETSON PRODUCTIONS in 1973 was the start of an unknown journey to which Tricia & Stewart have given their all – and are so very grateful for all the support, care and friendships made along the way.
Meet
Stewart & tricia
Stetson’s early days were very much a case of learning ‘on the job’, but it didn’t take too long to develop into a professional business. Both Stewart and Tricia have a single goal – to always have the best show on the stage at every performance – which entails looking after a tour in great detail. Their satisfaction comes from stimulated and appreciative audiences … and a happy touring company.
They have toured hundreds of Artists (see HISTORY) – many have made return visits to New Zealand. Stewart’s contact and working relationship with overseas Managements & Agents is an integral part of Stetson.
Stetson’s reputation has travelled afar, so overseas tours are a specialty – Australia, Japan, Korea, Europe, Asia, Hawaii. Being involved with local Producers has been a source of interest and excitement as well as working in another culture. There have been many, many, happy and memorable tours.
Stewart and Tricia have different skills. They enjoy working together – and have proven they make a strong team. In the main, all concerts and theatrical productions Stewart & Tricia have been to see before making any commitment to produce or present it themselves.
On a personal note Tricia and Stewart have for over 40 years been based on farmland in Waikanae, just north of Wellington on the Kapiti Coast. Several years ago their farmland was subdivided to become the STETSON ESTATE, on which they built their forever home.
Their sons Ande & Scott were raised on the land. Both now are parents themselves and when not touring, the Macphersons are likely to be in the UK mixing business with pleasure – catching up with their 5 very special grandchildren. Scott & Susie (with Jessica & Max) live in Edinburgh – Ande & Claire (with Archie, Toby and Darcy) – live in Worsley, Manchester, UK.
About
Stewart macpherson
Stewart’s working career started as the ‘boy’ in a bank, which he found very boring. After some truck driving he became a trainee school teacher, during which time he was selected to be the host of the first ever pop music show on the infancy of television broadcasting in New Zealand, in a show called “In The Groove” based on the BBC show, “Juke Box Jury”. With a taste of showbiz, it wasn’t long before his career moved on into radio and television not only in New Zealand, but also Australia and the UK. There came a time when his involvement with music and broadcasting naturally evolved into concert promotion, and so the die was cast.
About
tricia macpherson
Tricia began her working life as an audio technician – firstly in radio in Wellington (1964) and then at DECCA Record’s recording studios, London. Tricia started working in the Stetson Production’s office in 1979. Her eye for detail, love of all things technical and interest in people meant that she found her niche in the touring side of Stetson. As a result she has been travelling New Zealand (and overseas) with Artists for many years – and values the network of friends and colleagues that she has built as a result. Since Tricia started touring, she has seen many changes – the biggest she says is going from working with pencil and paper and a calculator to now being tied to her Macintosh laptop, iphone and iPad.
About
Jenny Adlam
Jenny Adlam joined Stetson in 2012 and quickly became part of the family. She’s not only skilled in accounting and a true Xero guru, but also our go-to for anything legal or number-related – we always feel safe in her hands. Jenny delivers timely, accurate reports that are essential for offshore management and for Stewart & Tricia while they’re on the road touring. She’s a much-loved member of our team and the best possible ‘gatekeeper’ when we’re away from Waikanae. A rare gem indeed.
About
our supporters
PUBLICITY
Sandra Roberts – Entertainment publicist. Known by all as “Skip”. We appreciate her skill and knowledge of the business….. only Skip can develop storylines from very little information!
Skip’s contacts, combined with her creativity and great sense of fun – mean she is a delight to work with and be around. We value her friendship.
Not scared to push a barrow – she drives us on endlessly to achieve the goal of selling maximum tickets.
PRODUCTION
Thanks to Peter & Loren van Gent and also Paul Randall – they’ve been on the road with us for many, many tours. Their passion for their craft is palpable.
Creative and practical – they give every show a special energy on stage – visually and aurally. Peter has the best ears in the business.
DIGITAL
Josh Apperley – Simpel Limited looks after Stetson’s digital media and website.
A 2021 addition to the team—honestly, how did we ever manage without him? With a fresh, and younger, perspective and new interests, Josh’s support is just what we need in today’s fast-moving digital world. His talents span video, photography, and digital marketing, and he’s an absolute pleasure to have in the theatre, working alongside artists and companies on special projects. Currently based in Europe – which calls on some very late nights with zoom!
DESIGN
For nearly 20 years, Lyndele MacDermaid has been our design superstar, adapting and creating artwork for countless projects. She seamlessly blends licensor artwork with the layouts we need for print, outdoor, and digital signage. As a one-woman powerhouse, she somehow manages to slot her work around our often-crazy schedules – always with a cheery smile, and all from the beautiful Kāpiti Coast. A truly special part of our team.