Magic, mind manipulation and misdirection

Magic, mind manipulation and misdirection -‘Mr and Mrs Alexander’ tour 21 May - 2 July

Do Mr and Mrs Alexander have strange abilities or are they con artists? That’s the question audiences are left with at the end of this clever show. Based on research into the history of 19th century performers and the golden years of magic and spiritualism, married duo Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman, aka ‘Mr and Mrs Alexander’, have created a show combining circus skills and mind boggling tricks for a modern audience.

“In researching the roots of these forgotten carnival acts, we unearthed a forgotten sub-culture of gusty ladies, social misfits, freaks, hucksters and mediums,” Lizzie says.

“As part of the show, audiences will see Victorian magic and sideshow stunts, mentalism, psychic illusion and Uri Geller-esque metal bending. And yes, we really do all these things.”

While not based on ‘real’ historical figures, Mr and Mrs Alexander is based on anecdotes and incidents from the lives of real carnival performers of the Victorian era.

“It’s set in 1888 with the action taking place across three New Zealand cities. We’re committed to telling New Zealand stories,” Lizzie Tollemache says.

An absolute and pure delight. It’s engaging, edge-of-your-seat, breath-taking fun….This is the exact show you want to see. It will be one you remember and talk about years down the road." –On Stage Ottawa

Tollemache and Ladderman have concocted a magical show, and it’s not to be missed." CBC

“A hugely enjoyable treat” -Fringe review Canada

Bios

Married duo, Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman formed Rollicking Entertainment Ltd in 2014 to devise original shows blending theatre with illusion, sideshow and mind games. That year they toured Mr and Mrs Alexander to critical acclaim in Canada and again at the 2015 World Buskers Festival.To date they’ve created four shows and toured Australia and the UK as well as New Zealand and Canada.

Australian born David Ladderman has performed at two Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, the Kuala Lumpur Buskers Festival and five World Buskers Festivals. In 2007 he became a founding member of The Loons Circus Theatre Company, based in Lyttelton, where he performed until the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Since then he has worked for Christchurch’s Court Theatre, become the first ladder-walker to work with New Zealand Opera, toured New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom with solo shows, and entertained at The Hobbit world premiere.

Lizzie Tollemache is an actor, street performer and variety artist who entertains around the world at events as diverse as the Dubai International Comedy Festival, Rugby World Cup and World Buskers Festival. For the last six years she has been a member of The Court Jesters, performing regularly in New Zealand’s longest running comedy show, Scared Scriptless. Lizzie delights in performing to a wide range of audiences- from the infamous Hunter Square pitch on the streets of Edinburgh to the most prestigious of corporate conferences, and even to the last two Prime Ministers of NZ (true story).

Itinerary

Saturday 21 May 7.30pm Akaroa

The Gaiety

$15 Book: Akaroa Museum or 03 304 8900

Sunday 22 May 2pm Balcairn

Mike Greer Concert Series

Balcairn Public Hall

$25 incl. afternoon tea

Book: Sally Mac’s Amberley; Sefton Garage; Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy Rangiora

Wednesday 25 May 8pm Oamaru

Inkbox Theatre Oamaru Opera House

$20 (plus booking fee)

Book: Oamaru Opera House and www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Thursday 26 May 7.30pm Twizel

Twizel Events Centre

$20 Adult; $10 Student (cash only)

Book: Twizel Information Centre

Friday 27 May 7.30pm Queenstown

St Peter’s Church Hall

Queenstown

$25 Book: Eventfinda

Saturday 28 May 7.30pm Invercargill

Rep House cnr Jed and Esk Sts

$25 Book: www.evenfinda.co.nz

Tuesday 31 May 7pm Roxburgh

Roxburgh Town Hall

$20 Door sales only

Wednesday 1 June 7.30pm Alexandra

The Cellar Door

$20 Adults; $15 SuperGold card; $10 Children

Book: Alexandra i-Site or cash door sales

Friday 3 June 7.30pm Hokitika

Old Lodge Theatre

$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre

Saturday 4 June 8pm Barrytown

Barrytown Hall

$20 Door sales

Monday 6 June 2pm Onekaka

The Mussel Inn

$15 book: The Mussel Inn

Thursday 9 June 7.30pm Blenheim

ASB Theatre Marlborough

Blenheim

$25 Book www.ticketdirect.co.nz

Saturday 11 June 7.30pm New Plymouth

Sunday 12 June 7pm

4th Wall Theatre

$30 Adults; Seniors $25; Students $15

Book: www.4thwalltheatre.co.nz

Tuesday 14 June 7pm Putaruru

The Plaza

$20 Book: The Plaza; Putaruru and Tokoroa i-Sites;

The Storyteller Matamata, Eventfinda

Wednesday 15 June 7.30pm Hamilton

The Meteor Theatre

$25 GA; $20 Concessions

Book: www.iticket.co.nz

Friday 17 June 7.30pm Whangarei

The Riverbank Centre

Reyburn House Lane

$25 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz

Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Avenue

Saturday 18 June 7.30pm Kaitaia

Community Hall

$20 Book: Far North i-Site 09 408 9450

kaitaia@fndc.govt.nz

Tuesday 21 June 7.30pm Onewhero

OSPA Theatre Hall Rd

$20 Adults; $10 Students and SuperGold

Book; River Traders Tuakau

Thursday 23 June 7pm Opotiki

Senior Citizens Hall, King St

$20 Adult; $10 Children and over 65

Book: Travel Shop

Friday 24 June 8.15pm Masterton – (Up With People Presents)

The Regent Theatre

$25 Book: www.evenfinda.co.nz and Box Office

Monday 27 June 8pm Lincoln

The Laboratory

$20 Book: www.eventfinda.co.nz or at The Laboratory

Tuesday 28 June 7.30pm Fairlie

Mackenzie Community Theatre

$20 Book: Heartlands

Wednesday 29 June 7.30pm Ashburton

Ashburton Trust Event Centre

‘Open Hat Night’ No Charge prior to the event

Saturday 2 July 7.30pm Christchurch

Gloucester Room, Isaac Theatre Royal

$30 Adults; $28 Concessions (booking fees apply)

Book: 0800 TICKETEK www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz

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, 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 their audiences rather than the other way around.

ENDS

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