New Show Unearths Haunting Side of Sin in Humanity

Media Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A+ Productions presents

Seven Deadly Monologues

Written by Benjamin Teh

Directed by Borni Tukiwaho
Produced by Joselyn Khor

NEW SHOW UNEARTHS HAUNTING SIDE OF SIN IN HUMANITY

Lust, Envy, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony and Greed. The familiar vices of human nature will be explored through playwright Benjamin Teh’s disturbingly insightful take on what each deadly sin might really be about. These sins will take human form in the development season of Seven Deadly Monologues, on at Maori theatre Te Pou this April.

The talented actor/writer who has featured in Renee Liang’s plays, First Asian AB and Bubblelands explains, “I see the good in the bad, and the bad in the good. The seven deadly sins are a study in human nature. We need to explore our vices to understand ourselves as a species.”

The premise of each monologue is simple. What if lust is something that can be taught? What if outsiders feel pride for that one person who is not prideful? What if wrath is born out of a deep sadness, and sloth accepts fate in the worst of ways? What if gluttony is a way of life, and greed is a tool to relive euphoric joy, would it not just be the same as a drug habit?

For those wanting a mad piece of theatre, producer Joselyn Khor thinks this show will do wonders.

The monologues look at the concept of sin in a diabolical yet poignant way. Even with such dark topics, there is heart, soul and humour within the stories.

“I was so close to pulling out when I first read the script. I remember racing to Ben’s house before the workshop and saying, ‘I don’t think I can do this’. Purely because it deals with some heavy and controversial topics, such as, sexual violation and murder. Then I sat through the workshop and what I saw was something unnerving, but unexpectedly powerful. Now I’m taking a leap of faith and trusting the show will speak to audience members in the way it shouted at me.”

The producer also hopes to bring in those keen to get a taste of something different. “Teh’s exploration of wicked themes is part of the reason people turn up to see his work,” Khor says.

Teh shares that fans and reviewers alike have described his work with such adjectives as, “memorable”, “creepy”, “unforgettable” and “haunting”.

“To my face, it’s things like, ‘wow, just wow’ or ‘what the hell is wrong with you Ben?’”

Director Borni Tukiwaho, who recently finished a triumph of a musical at PumpHouse Theatre in Takapuna, People Like Us, will be honing his directorial skills after having chosen a strong cast to follow his lead. The director is part of the core whanau at Te Pou theatre, and his command will see the play transformed into something more than a spectacle.

Meanwhile the eight hungry performers, hailing from some of the finest acting schools and theatre companies in the country, James Russell, Albertine Jonas, Jimmy Hazelwood, Emma-Mae Eglinton, Donna Botha, Prateek Vadgaonkar, Marwin Silerio and Phoebe Borwick will make up the members of the monologues, metamorphosing into the vices to be seen on stage.

You’re invited to Seven Deadly Monologues. With an eager cast, talented writer and director, and a script hell-bent of pushing boundaries, we welcome you to join us in this study on what it means to be human.

ENDS

Seven Deadly Monologues

Seven strange individuals recount their tales of woe.

A monologue show unearthing the haunting side of sin in humanity.

Seven Deadly Monologues plays in Auckland at Te Pou, 6-9 April, as part of the theatre’s Rangatahi season.

Tickets $15-$20. Book at www.iticket.co.nz or 09 361 1000.

https://www.facebook.com/sevendeadlymonologues/

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Note to editors

Te Pou theatre

TE POU is a brand new Māori theatre space located in Portage Road New Lynn, that embodies the literal meaning of its name ‘The Support post’; acting as a constant and reliable presence for our performing arts community in Tāmaki Makaurau and abroad.

It was founded by Ruia Taitea Creative, who have built this space based on the kaupapa Māori fundamentals of aroha, manaakitanga and whānau.

A+ Productions

A+ is a production company set on promoting diversity in the arts and providing opportunities for creative artists from all types of backgrounds.

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