World Premiere of Family Favourite in New Zealand Festival

World Premiere of Family Favourite in New Zealand Festival 2016

The world premiere of The ACB With Honora Lee will feature as Circa’s offering in The New Zealand Festival 2016. Adapted for the stage by Jane Waddell from Kate De Goldi’s acclaimed 2012 children’s novel, is a charming exploration of kindness, patience and acceptance.

“I was captivated by The ACB with Honora Lee when I adapted the book for Radio New Zealand. The unconventional relationship that develops between Perry and her Gran is tender, funny and touching,” says Waddell.

Waddell directs an acclaimed cast including award-winning Ginette McDonald, who will play the eccentric Gran, Honora Lee, who’s battling with dementia in the Santa Lucia Rest Home, and rising star Lauren Gibson, who returns to Wellington for the role of Perry. McDonald, who was awarded the ONZM for Entertainment in 2007, is best known for her comedy alter-ego ‘Lyn of Tawa’ and has had an extensive career in theatre, television and radio.

“This stage adaptation gives fresh and imaginative life to 'my' story and characters - how very fortunate for them, me and the audience!” says De Goldi.

De Goldi has won the American Express and Katherine Mansfield Memorial awards for short stories, as well as the New Zealand Post Book of the Year Award in 2005 and 2009. She was named an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate for 2001.

As part of the New Zealand Festival, Waddell and De Goldi will also be giving a public talk about the process of bringing this beloved New Zealand story to life for a theatre audience, at the Saint James Theatre.

From the director of the 2012 New Zealand Festival hit Peninsula, quirky humour, playfulness and intergenerational love are at the heart of this adaptation; an ideal theatrical experience for all the family, guaranteed to pull at your heart strings.

STARRING: Ginette McDonald, Michele Amas, Lauren Gibson, Amy Tarleton, Nick Dunbar and Simon Leary The Vivien Hirschfeld Season of The ACB with Honora Lee plays at the Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Wellington from 27 February – 26 March.

Performance times: Tuesday – Saturday 6.30pm, Sunday 4pm

Duration: 1hour 20minutes (no interval) | Suitable for all ages

Art Talk with Kate De Goldi and Jane Waddell: 1pm Wednesday 16 March, upstairs at Saint James Theatre (FREE)

Tickets: Adults $39, Children $19, Family (2 adults 2 children) $97 from www.circa.co.nz or by calling 04 801 7992

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