Alfonsina In Hot Form For Auckland After Brazil

Alfonsina In Hot Form For Auckland After Conquering Brazil

The Alfonsina cast and crew have returned from Brazil in hot form ahead of their Auckland season premiere opening next Monday, 9 August at The Musgrove. In Brazil last month, they performed two sold-out shows and were well received by international audiences at the Vertice Brazil 2010: International Women in Theatre Festival.

Alfonsina director Pedro Ilgenfritz says the trip was a great opportunity to gauge international opinion of New Zealand theatre, as the only local theatre group to be invited. "The festival was a great experience. The audiences loved us," says Ilgenfritz. "We had so many queuing up for our performances that we had people sitting on the floor."

Alfonsina depicts the adventures and misfortunes of a young Argentinean cleaner facing the challenges of migrating to Auckland in search of a new life; escaping the harsh suburbs of Buenos Aires (Argentina). Ilgenfritz says audiences laughed and bonded with the play's universal themes, which delve on immigration and labour issues and the social adjustment factors that face newcomers to New Zealand, especially the cultural melting pot that is Auckland.

"The Portuguese subtitles we used worked very well and the audience had no problems following the plot. There was plenty of talk from festival-goers that Alfonsina was one of the stars of the programme," explains Ilgenfritz.

The play was also enhanced by the cultural diversity of the cast, who all studied together at Unitec.

Andrea Ariel, who plays Alfonsina, says the trip was a great networking experience for her. "It was so enriching. We met some great names in the theatre world, we learnt a lot, and the show went very well," says the Argentinean-born actor. "Now I'm really looking forward to performing here in Auckland where it all started."

The other cast members; west Aucklander Katie Burson (Hera) and Waiheke Island resident, Genevieve Cohen (Tracy) graduated with Andrea from Unitec in 2009, while travelling backstage crew, Ruby Reihana-Wilson and Joshua Bond are current Performance Technology diploma students at Unitec.

Alfonsina is produced by the Lab Research Theatre Company, which is sponsored by the Unitec Research Committee and Department of Performing and Screen Arts. Alfonsina was one of the highlights of the Wellington and Dunedin Fringe Festivals earlier this year and was praised by audiences and critics:

"Excellent direction and three superb performances from the cast" (Ewen Coleman - THE DOMINION POST)

"Fluid ensemble work and impeccable timing" (John Smythe - THEATREVIEW)

"The method is fresh and charming, utilizing all the best skills of clowning" (Terry MacTavish - THEATREVIEW)

WHAT'S ON?
WHAT: Alfonsina - Auckland Premiere Season
WHEN: 9-14 August, 8pm & 14 August, 2pm
WHERE: Musgrove Studio, The Maidment, 8 Alfred St, Auckland City
TICKETS: $18 Adult, $15 Concession/Students
BOOK NOW: http://www.maidment.auckland.ac.nz/uoa/maidment/archives/2010/08/studio/alfonsina.cfm
or (09) 3082383
MORE INFO: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/lab-research-theatre-company/104106616304851?ref=ts

ENDS

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