Tales of love, isolation, discrimination, human exploration, heritage and modern life interpreted into distinctive ethnic cultures, with a special taste of Rakugo - a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling, take centre stage at the Herald Theatre for a ten day season from February 12.

Asian Talesâ„¢: Native Alienz will highlight Asian perspectives and fresh new talent you may not have previously encountered.

Win tickets: Email editor@thebigidea.co.nz with the subject line 'Asian Tales ticket'.Tales of love, isolation, discrimination, human exploration, heritage and modern life interpreted into distinctive ethnic cultures, with a special taste of Rakugo - a traditional Japanese form of comedic storytelling, take centre stage at the Herald Theatre for a ten day season from February 12.

Asian Talesâ„¢: Native Alienz will highlight Asian perspectives and fresh new talent you may not have previously encountered.

Win tickets: Email editor@thebigidea.co.nz with the subject line 'Asian Tales ticket'.It is an announcement to Auckland's communities that locally grown and inspired Asian theatre has arrived.

Featuring new works written by Hiroshi Nakatsuji, Renee Liang, Misa Tupou, Kiel McNaughton & Mei-Lin Hansen, Ying Ly, Mukilan Thangamani and Davina Goh, these 7 short format plays make up the first episode of the Asian Tales series:

"¢ Mount Head - In Rakugo style, with only a handkerchief and a fan, and seated in a traditional Japanese fashion, Hiroshi Nakatsuji tells the surrealistic story of an avaricious cherry eater and the cherry tree that sprouts from his head due to his gluttonous ways. (written by Hiroshi Nakatsuji, directed by Tony Forster)

"¢ The Mooncake and The Kumara - 1927: In a market garden in Manawatu just before the mid-autmn Moon Festival, a relationship grows between Chao, a Chinese man, and Alice, a Maori girl. But in the shadow is Chao's wife back in China"¦ (written by Mei-Lin Hansen & Kiel McNaughton, directed by Alex Lee)

"¢ Midnight, State Highway 01 - A young Indian man and an East-Asian woman meet after a late-night accident on a deserted highway. As they wait for a tow truck, they find things to share"¦ (written by Mukilan Thangamani, directed by Alex Lee)

"¢ Intrusion - Despised and condemned for the colour of his skin, a Lone Figure holds on to his golden dream of being with his lover. When the pressure invades his soul, he snaps into action to fight for his rights. (written by Misa Tupou, directed by Gerard Urquhart)

"¢ Mask - A Chinese girl growing up in New Zealand tries to come to terms with her split identity, while her father tries to respond to his daughter's changing ideas. Masks both hide and reveal"¦ including bravery in the face of change. (written by Renee Liang, directed by Gerard Urquhart)

"¢ The Loyal Customer - In the contemporary world of Auckland's food hall culture, a pregnant girl who dreams of fashion school becomes a regular customer at a Vietnamese stall. An opportunistic action inadvertently changes the course of the chef's life. (written & directed by Ying Ly)

"¢ Citizen 3 - Sean is a young Malaysian-Chinese man having trouble living up to the expectations of both his nationality and ethnicity. A sudden turn of events exposes the effects of Sean's upbringing. (written by Davina Goh, directed by Yee Yang 'Square' Lee)

The Oryza Foundation, [6]ten and STAMP at THE EDGE® present Asian Tales: Native Alienz - stories from the lips of Asia.

Thursday 12th February - Saturday 21st February 2009 (8pm)
Matinee Performances on the 14th, 15th and 21st (2pm), no show Monday 16th
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE®.
Tickets: $30-$35 ($10 discount for early bird ending January 31st & Under-25 standby tickets)
Bookings through 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or www.buytickets.co.nz

More info at www.oryzafoundation.org.nz.