A provocative new dance theatre work by Malia Johnston and Emma Willis, Dark Tourists takes its audience through a journey of aftermath. In a world filled with birds, salt, empty coats and exploding television screens, visitors arrive: tourists ready to pluck souvenirs from the crusted ground. In this dry and spectral land the birds gather, waiting for the return of the sea. A provocative new dance theatre work by Malia Johnston and Emma Willis, Dark Tourists takes its audience through a journey of aftermath. In a world filled with birds, salt, empty coats and exploding television screens, visitors arrive: tourists ready to pluck souvenirs from the crusted ground. In this dry and spectral land the birds gather, waiting for the return of the sea.Dark Tourists plays on the ASB Theatre stage, taking the audience away from the everyday viewings of theatre by seating them on the stage, right in the heart of the work.

Created through research and workshops by a team of some of New Zealand's most respected and talented dancers, actors and creatives, Dark Tourists is an exploration of our attraction to sites of death and disaster. It is a full length dance work creating a theatrical landscape including text, exquisite movement and original live music performed by the cast and Motocade lead singer/guitarist Eden Mullholand.

Dark Tourists is a collaboration between three of New Zealand's most exciting emerging artists: innovative choreographer Malia Johnston (Best Choreographer and female contemporary dancer 2004, NZ Listener), director and playwright Emma Willis; (Co-director of Jealous Theatre Company, Chapman Tripp winner Most Original Production 2000); and composer and musician, Eden Mulholland (Motorcade).

After coming back from National tours of Miniatures and Terrain (also in AK07) and working as principle choreographer for the Montana Wearable Art Awards, Malia is excited about premiering this new work; "it's a privilege to work with Emma and Eden. I am enjoying our working collaboration, it really challenges my work and I am expecting it will shift the piece into a more truthful place and provide the audience with an important experience."
With a stellar cast including Peter Daube (Madigan's Quest, Orange Roughies, Taki Rua, ATC) and Sally Stockwell (The Women, The Insider's Guide to Happiness, The Ferryman- Accepted at Sundance 2007) Sean MacDonald (Black Grace) Paora Taurima (Footnote Dance Company, Michael Parmenter, ATC), Claire Lissaman (Soapbox, Maui - One Man Against The Gods) Paul Young (Touch Compass, Outlaw Creative) and Julia Milsom (Touch Compass, Outlaw Creative, Soapbox) Dark Tourists promises to be one of the most enriching and evocative works in this festival.

www.riflemanproductions.com
Venue: ASB Theatre Stage, The EDGE
Dates: Fri - Sun 9-11 March
Tickets: $25 - $35
Times: 7.30pm, extra matinee Sat 10th March 2pm.
Bookings: Ticketek 09 307 5000 www.ticketek.co.nz