Three major contemporary New Zealand theatre productions come to Hamilton in 2009 for the Clarence St Theatre Season09.
Controversial play Te Karakia opens the season, running from February 25-28, followed by Roger Hall's Four Flat Whites in Italy from 15-18 July; and Whero's New Net from 5-8 August.Three major contemporary New Zealand theatre productions come to Hamilton in 2009 for the Clarence St Theatre Season09.
Controversial play Te Karakia opens the season, running from February 25-28, followed by Roger Hall's Four Flat Whites in Italy from 15-18 July; and Whero's New Net from 5-8 August.Event Facilities Unit Manager Mark Christie says Hamilton City Theatres has collaborated with some of the country's best theatre production companies to bring three productions to Hamilton for Season09 which ordinarily wouldn't have shown here.
All three productions are still hot off the press - Te Karakia (written by award-winning playwright Albert Belz) premiered at the New Zealand International Arts Festival in March 2008, while Whero's New Net (also written by Albert), had its first season in Auckland in September last year. Auckland Theatre Company premieres Four Flat Whites in Italy in June.
Produced by award-winning theatre company Taki Rua Productions, Te Karakia tells a love story of religious and racial challenge, forgiveness and hope; set amidst the maelstrom of the 1981 Springbok Tour.
It's particularly relevant to Hamilton - the protests which took place in the city are central to the story and a number of Hamiltonians contributed to the research for the play.
Te Karakia is directed by Daniel O'Donnell and features Rangimoana Taylor, Donogh Rees, Michael Whalley, Ngapaki Emery, Tainui Tukiwaho and Karl Drinkwater.
With splendid direction by David O'Donnell, the play dramatises the moral dilemmas that Maori and Pakeha have faced and will face in a different manner in the future" - Dominion Post, 2008
Four Flat Whites in Italy follows recently retired librarians Adrian and Alison as they face the excitement of a holiday in la bella Italia "¦ from Viagra to Vespas, bingeing to budgeting, Michelangelo to la dolce vita, this is one journey they'll never forget!
Don't miss this gem from the pen of one of New Zealand's most admired playwrights, Roger Hall and with a cast including George Henare, Stuart Devenie and Annie Whittle.
Season09 wraps up with another Albert Belz play, Whero's New Net, the story of Whero Mahana, a musician with songs of grit and tears pulsing through her veins, who travels to London to chase a dream far away from New Zealand.
Theatre fans keen to secure their seats for Season09 can purchase gold (three shows) and silver (two shows) subscriptions through TicketDirect. The offer for gold subscriptions close on Friday 27 February at 5pm, while the offer for silver subscriptions close on Friday 17 July at 5pm. Individual purchases are also available.
For more information on Season09 visit www.hamiltontheatres.co.nz
13/02/09