Young Actors Bring Famous New Zealanders to Fringe Festival

Young Actors Bring Famous New Zealanders to Fringe Festival

The Wirecutters
7pm 27 February – 4th March
BATS Theatre - Tickets $18/$14/$10 Book: www.bats.co.nz

Wellington’s award-winning youth theatre companies, Wellington Young Actors and Churton Park Young Actors have been spending their summer holidays creating their third original theatre show for the New Zealand Fringe Festival. Aged just 12-18, they are the youngest ever companies to produce shows in the 27 year history of the festival.

Wellington Young Actors have previously performed their original work To Sunder for which they were named 2015 New Zealand Fringe Festival'sBest Newcomer and were nominated for Outstanding Ensemble. The two companies first joined forces to create last years’ sell-out hit, Squawk.

For 2017, the Young Actors have created The Wirecutters, a series of 18x 10-minute solo performances. The performances each feature a famous, or infamous, New Zealander. “In every solo there is a personal connection which gives the performance something unique and special. You get a glimpse into an inspirational New Zealanders life in a way that you may not have expected. I think that the performances are very honest. We are performing as inspiring or interesting New Zealanders the way we see them.” Kaia Holborow, actor/theatre maker.

Young Actors bring to the stage Neil Finn, Jean Batten, Katherine Mansfield, Gareth Farr, Dame Te Atairangikaahu, Louise Nicholas and more. Also featured are some of the more darker characters from our history such as Pauline Parker and Juliet Hulme. “I went into this not thinking much of many New Zealanders, let alone considering many inspiring. However this process has been such a journey for all of us. Every single person we are performing as is inspirational in their own way and worthy of praise. There is inspiration all around us, in people, places, and ideas. Even if you're not Hollywood famous, you're inspirational, you're worthy, you're important. This process has helped us learn that and challenged the way we perform, allowing for dynamic and exciting new work to come with new skills and experiences.” William Robinson, actor/theatre maker.

For The Wirecutters, the Young Actors have been split into three groups to show their solos at BATS Theatre with six per night being performed across six nights. “(My) Favorite part has got to be the independence of the whole deal. That's super fun. We are completely in control of what we create. This year has been different because, while we're still a family, which is one of the things that make us unique, we get to be in a different process, learning different skills to add to our belt.” Max Steel, actor/theatre maker.

The Young Actors have created the pieces themselves with help from director, Deborah Eve Rea, who herself created an award-winning solo, Take Back the Hood, for New Zealand Fringe Festival in 2013 which then toured nationally. “Wellington’s theatre scene is shrinking day by day. Being able to create your own work is an absolute must-have skill to ensure any kiwi actor’s survival. By being able to creat their own work already at 12-18 years old, these actors have a secure future.” - Deborah Eve Rea

Group A: (Mon 27 Feb, Thurs 2 Mar)
Katherine Mansfield - Grace Tromop van Dalen
Nancy Wake - Lauren O'Hara
Dame Te Atairangikaahu - Charm Tuapawa
Gareth Farr - William Robinson
Catherine Healy - Max Steel
Hilary Barry - Imogen Barker-Macallister

Group B: (Tues 28 Feb, Fri 3 Mar)
Mandy Hagar - Maya Symmans de vere Green
Juliet Hulme - Alex la Rooij
Louise Nicholas - Kate Truman
Richard O'Brien - Sol Maxwell
Jean Batten - Kaia Holborow
Nancy Wake - Emily Butler

Group C: (Weds 1 Mar, Sat 4 Mar)
Olivia Hall - Brodie Domb
Pauline Parker - Maya Lala
Laura Daniel - Natalie Stewart
Neil Finn - Gabe Parkin
Kate Walker - Maddie Brooks Gillespie
Gareth Farr - William Robinson (Weds 1 Mar)
Catherine Healy - Max Steel (Sat 4 Mar)

ends

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