Attempts on Her life
by Martin Crimp
opens in Auckland at the University of Auckland on September 10th.
Attempts to describe her?
Attempts to destroy her?
Or attempts to destroy herself?Attempts on Her life
by Martin Crimp
opens in Auckland at the University of Auckland on September 10th.
Attempts to describe her?
Attempts to destroy her?
Or attempts to destroy herself?WHERE: Drama Studio, Level Three, Arts One,
14A Symonds Street, University of Auckland.
WHEN: 10 September to 14 September, 8pm.
HOW MUCH: $10 Waged, $5 Students
WHO: Directed by Laura Jones
Attempts on Her Life turns the definition of play on its head, presenting a series of darkly comic, irony - laden scenarios in which the identity of a mysterious woman, Annie (or Anya, or Anne), is repeatedly imagined, discussed, dissected, and possibly dismissed.
"She says she's not a real character, not a real character like you get in a book or on TV, but a lack of character, an absence she calls it, doesn't she, of character." -Attempts on Her Life.
Attempts on her life is theatre for those who think theatre has no new ground to break - inviting the audience to engage as post-modern detectives, yet keeping them laughing, and cringing at their laughter, throughout.
Director Laura Jones is in her final year of her master degree at Auckland University. Attempts on Her life is Jone's second, production her first being an adaptation of Sarah Kane's 4:48 Psychosis. The production was so successful she was asked to direct a longer show for the Theatre department this year.
The cast is made up of four actors who play various roles throughout the production. Eve Gordon is a graduate of Unitec Performing and Screen arts school and was most recently seen on the stage in their production of the Cherry Orchard by Anton Chekhov. Colleen Davis has worked with many of the tutors from Unitec, and has performed work for The Performing Arts Schools youth company. Patrick Graham (Crave, The Tempest, Corpus Christie) and Michael Downey (The Tempest, Much Ado About Nothing Directed by Colin Mitchel, Street Legal) have both worked with each other before -
"Mike Downey (as Prospero) did one of the finest performances of Shakespeare I've ever seen - possibly the most relaxed actor to ever tread the boards - All the actors were strong and well-cast, with stand-out performances also delivered by Patrick Graham as the sweet 'n sour Caliban - "
Kathryn Van Beek - The Package May 03
Critics have said of the play -
"Coming at you like a blueprint for a character in a David Lynch Film - As relentless, engaging and totally barefoot a theatrical experience as I've ever had in a while - Incredibly stylized and eerily compelling."- Beth Lisick (SFGate.com)
"Sharp and brilliantly staged - Thought provoking and deeply satisfying, this is one show you're sure to keep thinking about long after the curtain closes."- Anna Mantzaris (SFGate.com ePick)