Never Swim Alone

Never Swim Alone
By Daniel MacIvor
Directed by Ryan Hartigan

BATS Theatre
4-13 April (no Sun/Mon), 7pm, $16/12
book@bats.co.nz or 802 4175

A surreal comedy where the best MAN wins.

Bill and Frank were competitive childhood friends who have grown up to become competitive briefcase wielding, suit wearing men. But where is all this macho posturing leading us?

Multiple award winning Canadian writer Daniel MacIvor’s dark and hilarious social commentary on male competitiveness was a smash hit when written in 1991, and has recently gone through a spate of revivals since the start of the “war on terror”.

“This is work that is crucially relevant. New Zealand has a core of violence and a confused masculine culture”, says director Ryan Hartigan, “As a society, we have to ask ourselves whether we are responsible for creating this. We’re all so busy competing with each other trying to be the best, succeed and make money, we forget about our family, our community and ourselves. NEVER SWIM ALONE is highly theatrical, cutting edge work. It’s hilarious and universal in its themes, but it packs a punch that hits at the heart of the Kiwi bloke. What price did we really pay when we bought this image of the modern superman?”

Directed by Chapman Tripp Award winner Ryan Hartigan, with an exciting cast including Nick Dunbar (Insiders Guide To Love; King and Country (NZ Arts Festival 2006)), and introducing the fresh talent of Aaron Cortesi (Toi Whakaari Graduate 2005) and Alicia Sutton (Dronke Prize for Drama 2002).

NEVER SWIM ALONE promises to be a powerful theatre experience, and Theatre Pataphysical are excited to produce its Australasian premiere at BATS.

“This being a work by Ryan Hartigan’s amazing Theatre Pataphysical Company, you must expect a few surreal twists. You can also rely on him to create visually compelling work that is close to choreographic”
– Capital Times

ENDS

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