Autobiographical Comedy Captures Highs & Lows of 90s Dunedin

AUTOBIOGRAPHICAL COMEDY CAPTURES THE HIGHS AND LOWS OF DUNEDIN IN THE 90’s

Q Theatre’s 2017 MATCHBOX Season presents
My Best Dead Friend
Brought to you by Zanetti Productions
Created by Anya-Tate Manning and Isobel MacKinnon

A powerful, autobiographical cross between stand-up comedy and theatre, My Best Dead Friend both written and performed by Anya Tate-Manning, makes it’s Auckland debut from 12-22 July at Q Theatre. With a sound track heavily featuring The Verlaines, Tom Waits and The Backstreet Boys, this one-woman show takes audiences on a hilarious and heart-breaking journey through grief, survival and enduring friendship. It’s a joyful comedy from a heavy heart.

December, 1998. Dunedin.
High summer in a town where there isn’t a lot to do.
This is a story about my best friends. Ok, no, this is actually mostly a story about me.
This is a comedy about death, revolution, unfulfilled love, and a really annoying possum.

My Best Dead Friend dances between two moments in time; an attempted revolution on the streets of Dunedin in 1998 and a moment of great loss many years later. Growing up in Dunedin in the 90s herself, Anya experienced first-hand the highs and lows of teenagers who lay outside the norm of the stoic, rugby-proud culture. Anya deftly captures the atmosphere of this unique, long-standing NZ city – resounding with Southerners and University alumni, misfits and poets.

The show premiered in Wellington before storming Perth Fringe World, where it was nominated for the West Australian Arts Editor’s award. Reviewers raved that they were transported by Anya’s creative but frank storytelling. A recent performance of the work in front of over 280 secondary school students at the National Youth Drama School received a standing ovation.

An “authentic and brilliant” storytelling comedy show, My Best Dead Friend is created by Anya Tate-Manning (Hudson & Halls Live!) and Isobel MacKinnon (Best Director, 2015 NZ Fringe Festival).

Anya Tate-Manning is a performer, director and writer based in Wellington with a knack for comedy. Anya joined Silo Theatre’s show Hudson and Halls Live! last year (winner Best Supporting Actress, Wellington Theatre Awards) and is touring with the wildly popular show throughout NZ. Anya is the founder of the longest running Political Satire show currently on NZ’s stages; Public Service Announcements, which started in 2010 and is now a Wellington institution. She teams up with the razor-sharp Isobel MacKinnon - an award-winning Director and Performer, who specializes in making original devised theatre works.

“Tate-Manning’s storytelling… is completely disarming and natural. She captures two moments in time and interlaces them beautifully, with sincerity, humour and affection.” – Perth Arts Live

“vibrating monologue written and staged by one of the most energetic actresses and theatre makers you will ever see.” – The Australia Times

“Extraordinary joys and sorrows, extraordinary rebellions and submissions.” – The West Australian

“Hilarious and refreshing” – Perth Arts Live

My Dead Best Friend
Wed 12th – Sat 22nd July, 7.30pm
Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St
Presented by Zanetti Productions
www.qtheatre.co.nz/mbdf

My Best Dead Friend is presented as part of MATCHBOX, the Q Theatre creative development programme.

Q Theatre is an independently owned and operated performing arts venue in Auckland’s CBD, committed to the sustainability and success of arts and culture. Every year Q co-presents a season of shows through its creative development programme, MATCHBOX. MATCHBOX enables the best emerging and professional New Zealand performing artists to bring their ideas to life on stage. Through a three-step selection process Q curates a MATCHBOX Season that pushes boundaries, showcases Q’s transformative venue, and delivers unique experiences for audiences.

To find out more about Q Theatre and MATCHBOX visit www.qtheatre.co.nz/matchbox

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