Thomas Sainsbury will direct David De Lautour, Tori Spence and Todd Emerson in his play Beast, opening at the Basement on July 2.

The genesis for Beast is Writer/Director Thomas Sainsbury's countless late night car rides through the New Zealand countryside. His imagination would always get the better of him.

Once he swears he once saw a completely white humanoid dart across the road and disappear into the tree line. Thomas also had a car tail him for over an hour. These mixed with his penchant for horror films, got him writing. Taking three siblings, similar to the siblings from his own life, he decided to literally drive them into the scariest shit ever. A town of strange locals and a foreboding factory in the distance. Beast is the result.

A Horror.

For the Stage.

The three siblings will be played by David De Lautour, Tori Spence and Todd Emerson. David's past roles have included leads on Power Rangers, Being Eve and the American television show What I like about you. Tori's previous roles include leads on The Tribe and Atlantis High. Todd has starred in Amazing Extraordinary Friends, The World's Fastest Indian and Shortland Street.

The strange locals the siblings happen upon will be played by Benedict Wall (Outrageous Fortune), Stephen Fitzgibbon (Vitner's Luck), Kate Rylatt (Suburbia), Michelle Blundell ('Tis pity she's a whore, Based on Auckland) and Tasha Wilcox (Shortland Street). Beast was written and will be directed by Thomas Sainsbury.

This year Thomas has directed his plays LUV, at The Basement, and Loser and the Herald Theatre. Last year Thomas took part in World Interplay, an international conference for playwrights under 25. Thomas is also currently writing two screenplays and is writing drama for Radio New Zealand. Three siblings drive north - Their car breaks down - They walk to the nearest town - They are never seen again. This is their story. Join Felix, Justine and Max as they face their worst nightmare. - and yours!

THE HUNT HAS BEGUN - Wednesday 2nd July, 8pm Thursday 3rd July, 8pm Friday 4th July, 8pm Saturday 5th July, 8pm Sunday 6th July, 8pm V

enue: The Basement, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD Ticket Prices: All $18 26/05/08