NZ’s medical hypnosis expert premieres debut play at Fringe

NZ’s medical hypnosis expert premieres debut play at Fringe 2014

The modest consulting rooms of New Zealand’s medical hypnosis expert are leading a double life as the rehearsal venue for his first play, Immaculate Deception, which will be premiering at the 2014 Wellington Fringe Festival.

Dr Pat McCarthy can usually be found treating clients for anxiety disorders, smoking addiction, irritable bowel syndrome and a host of other conditions about which he is also producing a successful series of self-help books and CDs. But, when the consulting room doors are closed, Dr McCarthy’s passion for theatre takes over.

“Immaculate Deception is a modern murder-mystery. It starts with a woman waking up covered in her murdered husband’s blood with absolutely no memory of how it happened. Her conviction seems like an open-and-shut case, but nothing is what it seems, as her lawyer soon finds out. From there, the plot twists and turns like a corkscrew and I fully expect the audience will still be debating exactly what happened long after they leave the theatre.”

Toastmaster Champion of Wellington four years in a row, Dr McCarthy is no stranger to the stage. He has appeared in short films, on TV and in several theatrical productions, during two of which he has worked with Immaculate Deception’s producer and director, Tanya Piejus.

“I directed Pat in The Diary of Anne Frank in 2010 and he asked me to give him some feedback on his first draft of Immaculate Deception. I was intrigued by the ingenious story and the evidence of his expertise on medical hypnosis, which features in the play,” says Tanya.

“I was looking for a new script to direct as a fundraiser for youth and sustainable development charity, Raleigh International. I proposed producing the play for Fringe 2014 to Pat and it grew from there. I’m excited to be bringing Pat’s first play to the Wellington stage and all profits from the Fringe performances will go to an excellent cause.”

Immaculate Deception will be performed from 7 to 10 February 2014 at the Whitireia Theatre, 25-27 Vivian Street. Bookings at www.thetheatre.co.nz. Tickets $12–18.

Follow production news on Facebook at www.facebook.com/ImmaculateDeceptionFringe2014 or www.tinypieces.co.nz/immaculatedeception.html.

ENDS

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