Three NZ plays premiere on one night!

Thursday November 30th sees the launch of three works by New Zealand playwrights.

Produced by SmackBang theatre company, ‘PlayRight the season’ showcases the winners of a play writing competition held earlier this year.

Over 80 one-act plays were submitted, and after much deliberation the final three chosen are: ‘And Then you Die’ by Thomas Sainsbury, ‘Rogue State’ by James O’Sullivan, and ‘The Real You’ by Colin Moy and John Davies.

SmackBang Artistic Director and Producer Jared Turner says, “We’re excited to be presenting three diverse new plays from some of NZ’s most outstanding upcoming playwrights.”

“The aim of the event has always been to stimulate new work, and I think the result has exceeded all of our expectations, not only in terms of the number of entrants, but in the quality of the three plays. The experience of putting this show together has been refreshing and exhilarating, so we hope it will become an annual event.“

PlayRight was inspired by a similar play writing competition held in Sydney. The competition was open to writers from all over NZ. Nine plays were selected and given a professional reading by actors including Sara Wiseman (Mercy Peak), Miriama McDowell (No.2), Renato Bartolomei (Shortland St) and Fleur Saville (Shortland St). They were judged by established theatre practitioners Pip Hall, Garry Henderson and Roy Ward, to determine the best three plays to be premiered as part of SmackBang’s inaugural season.

Some of our most talented actors will feature in these new works, including Colin Moy from ‘In My Fathers Den’ (and winner of Best Supporting Actor for this role), Aidee Walker from ‘Outrageous Fortune’ and Will Wallace (‘King Kong’).

Rogue State is a political satire that answers the question of what would happen if the United States decided to “liberate” New Zealand.

When a team of American soldiers arrive to “save” Gary and Janet from the “insurgents” in their house, they interrupt the rugby game and poor Gary is not amused! This hilarious play highlights the slippery nature of army jargon and political spin while showing its devastating effects.

Written by James O’Sullivan - Directed by Toby Leach

Starring: Rex McIntosh (Gary), Joy Watson (Janet), Will Wallace (Sgt. Spenning), Ben Farry (Pvt. Lister), Jonathan Hodge (Pvt. O'Brien)

and then you die is a black comedy.

Debbie Le Valient's two personalities want to be in charge of their own destiny. They want the hottest boyfriend, the hottest clothes, and the hottest body, but everything transpires against them and Debbie has to take drastic measures to take control.

Written by Thomas Sainsbury - Directed by Patrick Graham

Starring: Aidee Walker (Debbie), Nisha Madhen (Woman), Stephen Fitzgibbon (Man)

The Real You - The cowboy, the artist, and the tragedy that keeps them apart.

Wedge is a successful loner, Cal is a dishevelled artist unable to emulate the bother he so admires. Through a montage of scenes from the past as present the audience is taken into the men’s inner world and a past tainted with tragedy. A roughly physical piece dappled with captivating and powerful images.

Written by and starring Colin Moy (Wedge) & John Davies (Cal)

Event: PlayRight: The Season

Dates: 30 November – 10 December

Times: Tuesdays-Saturdays at 8pm, Sundays at 6pm

Venue: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

Bookings: Ticketek – 09 307 5000 – http://www.ticketek.co.nz

Prices: $24 / $18 concession / $15 child

More info at: http://www.myspace.com/smackbang

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