Christian Penny interviews Simon Ferry (performer, director, farmer, writer, lover of New Zealand work and classics) for this month's Conversation at Bats Theatre about his work, motivations and dreams, and invites response/conversation from industry and audience.

Simon has appeared on stage and screen throughout the world, was selected as artist in residence at Shakespeare's Globe Centre in London in 2004, has won awards for his work in developing NZ theatre and is soon to be leaving his role as Artistic Director of Centrepoint Theatre. Find out why on Monday 28th July 7pm. Christian Penny interviews Simon Ferry (performer, director, farmer, writer, lover of New Zealand work and classics) for this month's Conversation at Bats Theatre about his work, motivations and dreams, and invites response/conversation from industry and audience.

Simon has appeared on stage and screen throughout the world, was selected as artist in residence at Shakespeare's Globe Centre in London in 2004, has won awards for his work in developing NZ theatre and is soon to be leaving his role as Artistic Director of Centrepoint Theatre. Find out why on Monday 28th July 7pm.Conversation is a series of monthly conversations with leading theatre artists and practitioners. Conversation aims to create an environment for us to share frankly and personally about our art and what it means to us - to challenge some of our thinking about our motivations, our work and its value.

Hosted by Christian Penny [Head of Directing and Associate Director - Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School] Conversation takes place in two distinct halves. First; an interview with a leading artist, producer/ writer and or maker about their work, motivations and dreams. In the second half the audience are invited to share their responses - in particular how the evenings korero touches them and their work, hopes and aspirations. In this way a Conversation occurs.

There will be no admission charge but we will be asking for koha towards costs. We are not pre-booking seats so admittance will be on first come first served basis.

The aims of Conversation are

- to increase the level of dialogue amongst arts practitioners

- to increase access and reflection between artists and audiences

We are creating an environment to share frankly and personally about our art and what it means to us. A context in which we can begin to publicly challenge some of our thinking about our work, its value, our motivations and our effectiveness. Beginning with, but not limited to, theatre.

This forum sits alongside other industry capacity building initiatives such as Wellington's B Side and the Auckland Theatre Forum. Conversation aims to strengthen links between practitioners, audiences and the social purpose and place of the arts in the 21st century.

Current audience development thinking [see Diane Ragsdale's keynote speech delivered at the CNZ sponsored 21st Century Arts conference] argues that audiences no longer want just a ticket and a show. They want a dialogue with the work.

Conversation is a step in this direction.

If you have any questions please contact Briar on 021-2711002 or briarmonro@clear.net.nz