Roger Hall Gives Audiences La Dolce Vita

MEDIA RELEASE: THE COURT THEATRE

Roger Hall Gives Audiences La Dolce Vita

Roger Hall is New Zealand’s most popular playwright. His combination of brilliant one-liners and satiric insight has seen over forty of his scripts produced throughout the country and overseas. In his latest play, FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY, set to open at The Court Theatre August 29, Hall takes four recognisable kiwi characters and chronicles their misadventures on their “big O.E. when they’re pasta their prime”.

Recently retired, tightly-wound librarians Adrian and Alison (Geoffrey Heath and Yvonne Martin) are about to depart on a long-awaited Italian holiday when their travelling partners unexpectedly fall through. Instead, the couple are joined by their new neighbours; irascible retired plumber Harry (Ken Blackburn) and his “trophy wife” Alison (Lynda Milligan). As tensions over dining, driving and destinations rise, their holiday may end up more Dante than al dente.

“Although I have written a play about travel (TAKING OFF), the topic of travelling with other people hadn't come up,” says Hall. “It's hard enough to travel with one's nearest and dearest, but add other people into the equation and inevitably there are (to put it mildly) compromises that have to be made.”

In addition to escalating internal conflicts, the quartet encounter a variety of Italian residents that add to the aggravation, irritation and temptation on their travels – all of whom are portrayed by Jonathan Martin and Sandra Rasmussen. Things come to a head when the quarter-finals of the 2007 Rugby World Cup are played while the group are “relaxing” at a Tuscan villa.

Director Ross Gumbley views FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY as a “universally New Zealand premise: everyone has their own ‘Big O.E.’ horror story. Roger has mixed cultural anxiety with the discomfort of being trapped with people you may not know – or like – that well and served it all up with his trademark wit and pathos”. Gumbley has worked with designer Harold Moot to create a rapidly-changing set that is “like a ride at Disneyland: almost more Italian than Italian.”

Gumbley is looking forward to audiences joining Hall’s characters on their quest for la dolce vita – even if their trip ends up going down la toletta FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY opens at The Court Theatre on August 29 and runs until October 10.

Additional information:
• WHO WANTS TO BE 100? (ANYONE WHO’S 99) set a record as the fastest-selling New Zealand play of all time. Over 14,000 tickets were sold at The Court Theatre’s 2007 season.
• A recent North Island tour of FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY sold over 26,000 tickets.

FOUR FLAT WHITES IN ITALY by Roger Hall

Directed by: Ross Gumbley
Venue: Court One, The Court Theatre, Christchurch
Cast: Geoffrey Heath, Yvonne Martin, Ken Blackburn, Lynda Milligan, Jonathan Martin and Sandra Rasmussen
Production Dates: 29 August – 10 October 2009
Performances: 6pm Monday / Thursday; 7:30pm Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday (no show Sundays).
2pm matinee Saturday 5 September
Tickets: Adults $42, Senior Citizens $35, Tertiary Students $25, School Children $15,
Group discount (20+) $33, Matinee $29 (5 Sept only)
Bookings: The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Boulevard; 963 0870 or www.courttheatre.org.nz

ENDS

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