Guy Masterson Brings His Finest Solo Works to the Stage

Media Release – For immediate release

British Tour De Force Brings His Finest Solo Works to the Stage

Auckland Live and Theatre Tours International present two plays
Under Milk Wood and Shylock
Starring Guy Masterson

Renowned British actor Guy Masterson, an Olivier award-winner, will bring two solo shows to Auckland - the timeless masterpiece Under Milk Wood and a fiercely comedic Shylock, based on Shakespeare’s notorious character.

Audiences are invited to experience vivid characterisations and rich text by the master of the one-man-show for a strictly limited season from 19-22 October at the Herald Theatre.

Masterson skilfully recreates 69 characters in the famed Welsh play Under Milk Wood, set over the course of a day in a small seaside village. Internationally acclaimed and with over 2000 performances over two decades, this astonishing performance is the cornerstone of Masterson’s solo career. Bawdy and beautiful, sad and sensual, this multi-character masterpiece is a powerful interpretation of Dylan Thomas’ lyrical epic.

The second work on offer, Shylock, explores the tragic, tempestuous fate of one of literature’s most famous Jewish figures – the conniving moneylender of William Shakespeare’s Merchant of Venice. Delving into stereotypes and identity, and with references from the Bible to Dracula, the show spans 400 years of Shakespearean interpretations and over 2000 years of history, in just 90 minutes! This poignant performance celebrates the beauty of language, the power of history and the magic of theatre.

Following in the footsteps of his famous uncle, Richard Burton, Guy Masterson is a British-born actor, theatre director and producer based in London. Coincidentally, Burton made a very famous BBC radio recording of Under Milk Wood in 1954.

A graduate of the prestigious London Academy of Drama, Masterson has carved out a theatre career with an incredible aptitude for solo performances, including his one-hander adaptation of George Orwell’s Animal Farm. His direction of the West End show Morecambe won the production a prestigious Olivier Award for Best Entertainment in 2010.

In addition, Masterson is one of the most successful and award-winning independent theatre producers at the Edinburgh Festival, having presented over 150 shows in 22 years.

Guy Masterson says he is incredibly excited to be returning to New Zealand, having spent three months living here, in addition to numerous tours over the last 20 years, including a sold-out season of Under Milk Wood at the Herald Theatre in 1999.
He worked with local playwrights Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis to bring Krishnan’s Dairy to the Edinburgh Festival and has forged connections with some of our leading theatre practitioners.
Auckland Live’s manager of programme development, Georgina Cervin, is thrilled to enable the return of Guy Masterson’s two most beloved works to the Herald Theatre after more than 15 years. She says this is a very unique opportunity for Aucklanders to experience a phenomenal and critically acclaimed artist in his ultimate prime.

Don’t miss this master of the one-man show tackling two colourful works.
Absolutely wonderful... Intensely therapeutic, intensely uplifting. A tour de force of this man's talent ... Guy Masterson is something exceptional

- BBC Radio Scotland (Under Milk Wood)

This is as good as theatre gets…a privilege to watch

- Liverpool Post (Shylock)

Under Milk Wood
Thurs 20 Oct and Fri 21 Oct, 7pm
Sat 22 Oct, 2pm
Herald Theatre
Tickets $19 - $44*
http://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/under-milk-wood

Shylock
Wed 19 and Sat 22 Oct, 7pm
Herald Theatre
Tickets $19 - $44*
http://www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/shylock
Buy tickets to both Under Milk Wood and Shylock for only $75* with our two show special offer. Phone 0800 111 999 or visit the Aotea Centre box office to redeem this offer.
*Standard service fees apply.

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