Downstage's July-Dec 2006 Programme

Downstage Proudly Presents Our July-Dec 2006 Programme

This is your first taste of our diverse and exciting second season line up.

We’ve got passion, we’ve got murder, we’ve got love, we’ve got blood, we’ve got war, we’ve got laughs, we’ve got something wicked for everyone this season…

U Boat Down Under
Written and Directed by Peter Tait

27 July – 5 August

After a successful world premiere in March, Peter Tait (Return of the King and Back River Road) brings his humorous historical based piece of physical theatre to Wellington.

It was in the summer of 1945 that a German U boat U 862 under the command of Heinrich Timms, visited the east coast of New Zealand. No torpedoes were ever fired, but there has been conjecture ever since, as to what the submarine was doing here. Did the crew ever come ashore? What did they get up to, while they were here? Maybe one of them stayed.

Featuring: Donna Akerston, Jo Davison and Michael Lawrence

Under Milk Wood
Directed by Rachel More

12 August – 9 September

Look. Look. Listen. Come closer now.
Only you can hear and see behind the eyes of the sleepers.

Hilarious, irreverent and full of raucously scandalous goings-on, Under Milk Wood sketches a midnight to midnight prowl of Llareggub, a small fictional seaside town in Wales where eccentricity is tolerated, sin is forgiven and love and lust are nurtured - or at least dreamt about.
From where you are you can hear their dreams.

Featuring: Ray Henwood, Jude Gibson, Loren Horsley, Tim Spite and Michael Williams.
Designers: Nicole Cosgrove (set and costume) and Lisa Maule (lighting)

Presenting Sponsor:
Bearing Point

Those Indian Guys present
D'Arranged Marriage
12 – 17 September

Monsoon Wedding meets Bend it Like Beckham with a slice of My Big Fat Greek Wedding!

Created by Those Indian Guys, D'Arranged Marriage is a one-man show that has sold out in three countries and has been performed over 150 times. This smash hit comedy brings Bollywood back to Wellington after the sell out success of From India with Love at the 2006 Oddfellows International Comedy Festival.

Featuring: Tarun Mohanbhai / Rajeev Varma
www.thoseindianguys.com

The Blonde, The Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
By Robert Hewett
Directed by Colin McColl

21 September – 7 October

Everyone has their own story to tell about the day that Rhonda Russell, deserted wife and mother, went berserk in the shopping Mall. But who knows where the truth lies?

In this gripping adventure the world is turned upside down in a disastrous yet devastatingly funny sequence of events. As the intrigue unfolds seven different characters give a fresh twist to the tale.

Kerry Fox returns to New Zealand for this tour de force one woman show. Best known for films such as An Angel at my Table, Shallow Grave, Intimacy and Welcome to Sarajevo.

An ordinary day at the mall. A crime of passion. Extraordinary consequences.

Featuring: Kerry Fox
Designers: Kate Hawley (set) and Phillip Dexter (lighting)
Co-presented with Auckland Theatre Company

Taki Rua Productions presents
Nga Tangata Toa
By Hone Kouka
Directed by James Beaumont

18 October – 4 November

1919 - Taneatua returns from the war a hesitant hero.

Te Wai, escorts him to her East Coast marae. Surprising him with the news of the arrival of his friend William and her cousin Rongomai, a haunted Taneatua asks for the return of the pounamu he gave her.

Waiting stoically, her father Paikea, has given three sons to the war; she clings to her surviving boy believing he has paid for his sins. But for Rongomai, she comes cradling a legacy of unsettled scores.

Kouka has sculpted a work reaching to the very heart of the obsessive nature of revenge.

‘…elemental passions and the dark tragic action of lust, murder, love and long-simmering desire for utu unfolds.’ Dominion Post

Featuring: Rob Mokaraka, Erina Danielsm, Olivia Robinson, Miranda Manasiadis, Matt Saville
Designers: Tracey Monastra (set), Martyn Roberts (lighting) and Stephen Gallagher (sound)

Dracula
By Hamilton Deane and John L Balderston
Directed by Catherine Downes

11 November – 16 December

1893: A quiet English town has an exotic new resident, charming Transylvanian aristocrat Count Dracula.

Enigmatic and terrifying, sensual yet deadly, the fearsome figure of Dracula continues to haunt and enthrall audiences of all ages. As old as sin itself, the story’s epic battle between good and evil, darkness and light, is one that has journeyed through the generations to the very heart of our modern-day world - and maybe beyond.

Downstage is proud to present Dracula, the Broadway sensation, as this year’s holiday spectacular, starring George Henare as the Prince of Darkness himself.

You’re in for a bloody good night!

Featuring: George Henare, Ken Blackburn, Danielle Mason. Steven Ray and Teodor Surcel
Designers: John Parker (set), Phillip Dexter (lighting) and Nic Smillie (costume)

Presenting Sponsor:
The Dominion Post

ENDS

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