Edinburgh Fringe smash hit musical with 14 puppets

Click to enlarge

Downstage Theatre - Media Release
Released 26/02/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Edinburgh Fringe smash hit musical with 14 puppets premieres in Wellington for the NZ International Comedy Festival
Australian comedian Sammy J stars in Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams at Downstage Theatre

“Filthy, frenetic and gloriously funny. This joyful romp has got cult stage hit written all over it.” (Chortle) After a total sell-out season to rave reviews at the Edinburgh Fringe Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams premieres at Wellington’s Downstage Theatre for the 2009 NZ International Comedy Festival from 8 – 23 May. Join Australian comedian Sammy J as he ventures into a magical forest where creatures live in harmony, picking berries for their king. But is everything really as happy as it seems?

Take the music of Disney, the drama of Lord of the Rings, and the emotion of Les Miserables. Then blindfold them, beat them, regain their trust, beat them again, and you might end up with something resembling Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams. This stunningly hilarious tribute to the tales of our childhood features toe-tapping songs, stunning visual effects and a cast of 14 puppets. A comedy spectacular that will have you in stitches, just leave the kids at home! Winner of The Age Critics’ Award and Barry Award Nominee in the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival the show is directed by former Wellingtonian, comedian and Australian TV star Alan Brough.

Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams is premiering in New Zealand at Downstage Theatre as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival for a strictly limited season from Friday 8 May till Saturday 23 May, Tuesday to Saturday at 9pm. Prices for the show range from $20 for students to $35 for a full price ticket. A season ticket for both NZ International Comedy Festival shows at Downstage, Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams and A Night with Beau Tyler, can be bought for $50 if used on the same night. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage’s box office. For up-to-date information, prices and bookings visit www.downstage.co.nz. Downstage is proudly sponsored by BNZ.

Starring Sammy J
Written by Sammy J and Heath McIvor
Directed by Alan Brough

ENDS

THE CREATORS

Actor: Sammy J (aka Sam McMillan) is a Melbourne-based comedian, actor and writer. In 2006 he won the Best Newcomer award at the Melbourne International Comedy Festival. Since then he has appeared regularly on the hit Australian television shows Spicks and Specks and Good News Week, performed in Edinburgh and London's West End, toured internationally with the Comedy Festival Roadshow, and cleaned out his fridge.

Find out more at www.sammy-j.com

Puppeteer: Heath McIvor accidentally became a puppeteer in 1998, which turned out to be quite a good career move. As a puppeteer he has worked extensively in film, television and theatre; toured the world; won a few awards; written, directed, designed, collaborated and frolicked. Stage credits include The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe; The Hobbit and the international spectacular Walking with Dinosaurs.

Director: Alan Brough was born in New Zealand and has been performing as long as he can remember. After failing to attend university enough to be considered a student, he worked in Wellington and Auckland as an actor, working predominantly in live theatre. He was also, for a time, New Zealand's most famous transvestite due to his appearance on a series of butter commercials as a very ordinary looking drag queen. Alan moved to Australia in 1995 and has worked on Kath and Kim, films such as The Craic and Bad Eggs, a national radio show on Triple M with Mick Molloy and Robyn Butler called Toughlove and is Team Captain in the Australian television show Spicks and Specks.

“He’s everything a national emblem should be” Tim Minchin, Comedian about Alan Brough
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LY6RVVqff3U

© Scoop Media