Thriller Explores New Zealand's Role in Peace and War

World Premiere of Political Thriller Explores New Zealand’s Role in Peace And War

The Giltrap Audi season of Rendered - the latest work by award-winning New Zealand playwright, novelist and librettist Stuart Hoar - is a highly-anticipated, taut, torn-from-the-headlines thriller.

Premiering at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in September, Rendered is set in two locations - the Middle Eastern desert and New Zealand. In the Middle East, Major Aria and her mercenary accomplice are on a covert mission to meet a New Zealander who’s defected to ISIS with his Arab wife. Back home, at the Auckland Writers Festival, kindergarten teacher Miranda gets an offer she can’t refuse from a charming American visitor. Soon, these six characters, their lives and histories are inextricably entwined in web of intrigue, danger and espionage.

Hoar explains, “I gave my play the title Rendered as post 9/11 the word has gained a new meaning. ‘Extraordinary Rendition’ means the transfer of suspected terrorists by the US to countries known to torture prisoners or to employ harsh interrogation techniques. Even in 2018, human rights groups say that the Department of Justice Task Force recommendations still allow the US to ‘render’ people. For me, Rendered raises the question of whether or not a NZ citizen should be handed over to a foreign power for such purposes.”

This exciting new piece of New Zealand theatre was programmed in September in celebration and support of the inaugural New Zealand Theatre Month, spearheaded by Roger Hall.

Starring well-known actors Anna Jullienne (Enlightenment, Anne Boleyn, Shortland Street) and Fasitua Amosa (A Streetcar Named Desire, To Kill A Mockingbird, Fresh Eggs), the cast also includes Simon London (1984, The Gift, The Hobbit ), Nicola Kawana (Under the Mountain, A Doll’s House, Shortland Street), Edwin Wright (The Good Soul of Szechuan, Uncle Vanya, Mahana) and Ban Abdul (Eagle vs Shark) .

Katie Wolfe (Waru, Kawa, Redemption) brings her extensive directing, acting and producing experience to Auckland Theatre Company once again. Widely acclaimed for her no-holds-barred verbatim play The Haka Party Incident in ATC’s 2017/18 season, Wolfe’s productions are renowned for their grit and courage in tackling important social and political issues.

She is joined on the creative team by Set Designer John Verryt (Moon, The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, Jesus Christ Superstar) , Costume Designer Fiona Nichols (Guys & Dolls, 21 Points, The Last 5 Years), Sound and Lighting Designer b(Lysistrata, The Book of Everything, Jesus Christ Superstar) and Video & Graphics Designer Harley Campbell (CUDO).

Rendered i s a dramatic and exciting new work that explores love, loyalty and the tough decisions that occur in times of international conflict. When betrayal is the only truth, who do you turn to?

Auckland Theatre Company’s Giltrap Audi season of Rendered plays 18 September to 3 October at the ASB Waterfront Theatre.

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