Rocket Man by Seamus Arnel

The strange tale of a boy, his heroes, and rocket ships Performing at the Carter Observatory Planetarium

Wednesday 1 - Saturday 4 October 2003

Moose Productions proudly presents the return Wellington season of Rocket Man!

Rocket Man, a one man play featuring a young boy, his father, and the man who designed the moon rocket will be performed at the Carter Observatory Planetarium from 1 - 4 October. The play premiered at Carter Observatory as part of the 2002 Fringe NZ Festival.

It all begins for Peter on Guy Fawkes Night launching a sky-rocket into the night's sky. From that moment it's obvious to Michael, his dad, that Peter and rocketships are inseparable. A great future lies ahead for this youngster - with his Dad and the world's greatest rocket scientist to guide him. What could go wrong? But what does a WWII missile have to do with the moon rocket? What did it really take to send a rocket to the moon?

Seamus Arnel, the playwright explains the reason behind the return season: "When Rocket Man was first performed at the Planetarium last year, everything just clicked. The audiences responded so warmly to the unique experience, watching the performer weave his story right in front of them, with just words, light and shadow. We've been developing and polishing the script for a year, so when the opportunity arose for an Observatory return season, we jumped at the chance to recreate the magic."

Rocket Man was written by Seamus Arnel. Callum Stembridge, a Toi Whakaari:NZ School of Drama graduate, originated the one man, multiple-character performance and will perform the play in Wellington. In 2003, Rocket Man has played at the Wine Country Hawke's Bay Winter Festival and the Lindauer Queenstown Winter Festival. On September 26-27 the play will perform at the Nelson Arts Festival.

Simon Glasgow, Visitor Manager at the Carter Observatory expresses his support for the production: "The Observatory is very proud to be able to provide an exciting and intimate venue to enable Rocket Man to be all it can be. We are gearing up for a fantastic four nights of entertainment along with our normal public Telescope sessions and Planetarium shows."

"It really gave us the thrill of theatrical adventure" Timothy O'Brien, The Dominion

for the 2002 Fringe NZ Festival production

Performance Season: Wednesday 1 - Saturday 4 October 6.30pm. Carter Observatory Planetarium, Salamanca Road, Kelburn.

Bookings at Carter Observatory 04-472 8167

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