Fresh Ink On The Forge Stage

Fresh Ink On The Forge Stage

Three new works appear on stage within the space of a week at The Forge at The Court Theatre, as three different directors, casts and playwrights present FRESH INK from September 27. This bold initiative brings new work by New Zealand writers from the page to the stage and offers audiences a unique insight into the evolution of a play.

Established in 2007, FRESH INK is a series of rehearsed readings in which three selected scripts are rehearsed by a team of professionals and presented to an audience as “works in progress”. After each presentation the audience is invited to discuss their responses to aid the playwright’s continued development of the play.

Artistic Director of The Court Theatre Ross Gumbley regards FRESH INK as “a vital part of The Court’s purpose as a theatre company: encouraging and fostering new work by local artists.” Playwrights attend rehearsals, performances and discussions to get as much from the process as possible.

Several works from The Forge’s rehearsed readings have gone on to be staged professionally, including DON’T MENTION CASABLANCA (currently showing in Court One) and upcoming Forge production TWO FISH ‘N’ A SCOOP (October 29 – November 27). Gumbley is thrilled at the role FRESH INK takes in “fully realising a play’s development”.

This year’s offerings of FRESH INK are:

• PACIFIC POST, by Ross McKellar with Stephanie McKellar-Smith, directed by Elizabeth O‘Connor; featuring Laura Hill, Eilish Moran, Matt Hudson and Nic Kyle.
Based on letters by Stephanie’s grandparents, this is the engaging story of a young married couple separated by the events of World War Two.
ONE DAY, by Laurence Dolan, directed by David Sheard; featuring Kathleen Burns and Toby Leach.
Two people unable to let go of their past meet once a year in their own little world of loss, sacrifice and redemption.
LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON by Elizabeth O’Connor with Valerie Wycoff, directed by Sandra Rasmussen; featuring Ali Harper, Mark Hadlow and Michael Lee Porter.
Including great songs from the 1920s, 30s and 40s, this play follows singer Ruth Etting's career from Broadway to Hollywood and explores the complex nature of her private life.

Gumbley is “excited and delighted” with the new works being presented and encourages audiences to “see these plays before the rest of the country – and the world.”

All tickets to FRESH INK are $6.

FRESH INK

Venue: The Forge at The Court Theatre, Christchurch

Performances: PACIFIC POST: 7pm Wednesday 29 September. ONE DAY: 7pm Friday 1 October LOVE IN THE AFTERNOON: 4pm Sunday 3 October.
Tickets: All tickets $6
Bookings: The Court Theatre, 20 Worcester Boulevard; 963 0870 or www.courttheatre.org.nz

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