True story, triumphant performance: Nick: An Accidental Hero

For immediate release

True story, triumphant performance – ‘Nick: An Accidental Hero’

‘Locked in syndrome’ - Nick Chisholm, successful architect, star rugby player, fearless mountain bike rider and all round wild guy – struck down with a devastating stroke at the age of 27. Nick’s recovery – 12 years of fierce determination, helped by the love of family, support of medical professionals, and the antics of friends. And the unthinkable – finding love on the internet!

Award winning comedic actress and creator Renee Lyons (TV ‘s ‘Super City’, 'Jono and Ben’) conveys this true story with incredible skill, taking on the personalities of multiple characters - hospital staff, family, friends, a Korean cleaner, Nicola, his newly found girlfriend - and Nick, the ‘accidental hero’, whose recovery has baffled the medical profession world-wide.

Written by Renee in a devising process directed by Abigail Greenwood, ‘Nick: An Accidental Hero’ was chosen by the Edinburgh Festival for performance at the prestigious Assembly Theatre in 2013, receiving a 5 star review and described as a ‘hot show’ (one not to be missed) by the Scotsman newspaper.

It also won Renee the ‘Accolade for Outstanding Performance’ and nomination for ‘Outstanding New Playwright of the Year’ in the 2013 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and is currently being prepared for broadcast by Radio NZ. Later in the year, Renee will take ‘Nick: An Accidental Hero’ to the very popular Melbourne ‘Fringe Hub’.

The subject is serious, but there are moments of riotous comedy in this celebratory show, touring with Arts On Tour NZ in July and August (see itinerary below).

"Transportative, uncategorizable, original, uplifting, brave." - Stephen Austin (Theatreview)

"Renee Lyons' performance has a compelling emotional honesty...the play deftly avoids any sense of sentimentality and presents an inspiring tribute to the way ordinary people rise to challenges posed by extraordinary hardship." Paul Simei-Barton (The New Zealand Herald)

Itinerary

Thursday 10 July 8pm Onekaka
The Mussel Inn

Friday 11 July 8pm Mapua
The Playhouse Café
Dinner from 6pm $20 Book: The Playhouse Café

Sunday 13 July 8pm Akaroa
Akaroa Boat Sheds
$18 Book: Akaroa Museum or Dale Thomas 304 8900

Friday 18 July 7.30pm Luggate
Luggate Hall
$25 Adult; $10 Students Book: www.festivalofcolour.co.nz

Saturday 19 July Invercargill
SIT Centrestage Theatre, Don St
$25/$20/$5 Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz or Cue TV

Sunday 20 July 7.30pm Oamaru
ODT Inkbox Theatre, Opera House
$25 Adult; Seniors $20 Book: Oamaru Opera House; Oamaru i-Site; www.ticketdirect.co.nz
0800 4 TICKET

Wednesday 23 July 7pm New Plymouth
TSB Showplace
$25 Adult; $15 Student Concession (Limited numbers available. Service fees apply)
Book: www.ticketmaster.co.nz 0800 111 999 and TSB Showplace Box Office

Thursday 24 July 7.30pm Hamilton
Playhouse Theatre, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato
$28 Adult; Seniors and Unwaged $22; Students $10; Subscription ticket for 3 shows $60
Book: www.ticketek.co.nz 0800 TICKETEK, Academy Box Office and Ticketek outlets

Friday 25 July 7.30pm Paeroa
Little Theatre
$20 Book: Arkwrights Antiques

Sunday 27 July 7.30pm Tauranga
Baycourt X Space
$25+ Service fees and charges
Book: Baycourt Box Office, www.ticketek.co.nz, 0800 TICKETEK

Friday 1 August 7.30pm Gisborne
Poverty Bay Club
$25 Book: The Aviary

Saturday 2 August 7.30pm Waipawa
CHB Municipal Theatre
$25 Adults; $20 Concessions/groups 8+ (Booking fees apply)
Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz 0800 224 224 or CHB Municipal Theatre 06 857 8117

About Arts On Tour New Zealand
AOTNZ organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Interislander and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to audiences so that that small town and country dwellers can enjoy high quality entertainment on their home patch. www.aotnz.co.nz

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