New Zealand Premiere of Poor Boy

Star studded line up for New Zealand Premiere of POOR BOY

Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Rima Te Wiata, Sophia Hawthorne, Andrew Grainger and Roy Snow headline POOR BOY, a show inspired by the songs of the legendary Tim Finn and playing at Maidment Theatre from March 17.

Tim Finn needs little introduction. A prolific solo career, Split Enz, a brief stint in brother Neil's band Crowded House and the Finn Brothers - he is, without doubt, one of New Zealand's most highly acclaimed musicians.

POOR BOY features some of Finn's most popular songs including the titular 'Poor Boy', 'I Hope I Never' and 'Persuasion' as well as 'Unsinkable', 'Into the Water', 'Ghost Girl', 'In a Minor Key', 'Not Even Close', 'Out of This World' and 'Astounding Moon'.

"If you're a fan of Finn's songs, it's a must-see." The Age

The play focuses on two families - the Glasses and the Priors. It's Jem Glass' seventh birthday. The cake is made, the party is about to start and Jem is about to shock the rest of the family with a startling announcement.

Across town, the Prior family grieves for Danny, their eldest son, killed in a hit and run seven years ago. All they have left are memories and regrets.
When Jem arrives at the Prior family home, the lives of these two fractured families are flung together and the gripping mystery begins to unravel.

"Seductive...theatrical...break taking visual sumptuous-ness" The Australian

Director Raymond Hawthorne describes POOR BOY as a "complex and beautiful piece", a story "about grief - how we deal with it, how we carry it about with us and how we get over it."

"Poor Boy is not just a must see for any lover of kiwi music; it's a beautiful, often haunting, lyrical journey about what it is to be human," he says.

"A poetic and gently entertaining piece" The Sunday Telegraph

POOR BOY is the product of a collaboration between Australian playwright, Matt Cameron and Finn "When Tim and I meet for the first time, I felt as though we have two story ideas that we simpatico," says playwright Matt Cameron.

"He had an idea that was based on having read a book about children who claimed to have had past life experiences and I had the idea for a family story that perhaps involved memory because I was interested me in the past and present colliding and constantly informing each other, and impacting upon the character's futures," says Cameron.

"I thought, based on a love of his music we needed a story that was about family because so much of his music and lyrics feed off deep and enduring bonds and which have a great history," says Cameron.

POOR BOY debuted at Melbourne Theatre Company in January 2009 directed by MTC's Artistic Director Simon Phillips (a native New Zealander) and went on to a successful season at Sydney Theatre Company in July 2009.

Tickets can be purchase at the Maidment Theatre on 308 2383 or at www.atc.co.nz.

ENDS

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