Ellerslie Theatrical Society presents MOTEL

a play written by April Phillips and directed by Bruce Brown
www.ellerslietheatre.co.nz

5 to 14 June 2014

“Motel is a rich and enjoyable piece. It's a treat to spend an evening with these characters, guiltily watching.” Theatreview

There's something a bit creepy about backwater concrete block motels. They feature regularly in horror movies. Most people would rather not have to stay in one, but needs must. Some people use them because they are out of the way. Discretion. Anonymity. No accountability. Lovers have secret liaisons there. Politicians get caught in them.

One seedy motel room, one dubious motel manager, four stories and eight people whose choices highlight the fleeting nature of life, work, love and death.

THE DIRECTOR – BRUCE BROWN

Bruce Brown is a graduate from Unitec’s Performing Arts Bachelor programme. He has been working on theatre for the past 5 years, including being involved as both a writer and director for Short+Sweet Auckland for 4 years. Last year, he received the Best Independent Theatre Company Award for his Short+Sweet 2013 play ‘Staged Madness’ as well as numerous positive reviews. For his Short+Sweet 2012 play ‘Boys’ Outing’, he received the following NZ Herald editorial review: “And Bruce Brown's 10-minute Boys' Outing was a sparkling diamond hidden under the Short+Sweet rug - one of the most adorable revelations of mutual attraction (gay or straight) I've ever seen, well played by young performers Graham Candy and Ryan Dulieu.” - Janet McAllister (NZ Herald, 15/12/12)

Bruce has also been keen supporter of community theatre, having been involved with Ellerslie Theatrical Society for 5 years (the last 4 of these years as a committee member). During this time, he has written and directed two short one-act plays, as well as staging a full-length production of ‘The Winter’s Tale’ in 2012.

IN INTERVIEW – TENZIN WEBER-STEPHENS who plays Ben in Motel, talks to David Blakey.
David: You were cast in this play in an unusual way. Can you tell me what happened?
Tenzin: I was getting off the bus with my friend and was walking past the building when I saw a piece of paper saying ‘Auditions’. I looked at the building, because I had lived in Ellerslie since I was four year years old and never knew that there was a theatre there. I walked into the foyer and was looking at some flyers. The auditions were just wrapping up. Someone came and spoke to me. I told her about myself and she suggested that I come in and audition. I read the script for about five minutes and then read for the part.

David: So you have a background in acting?
Tenzin: I took drama through high school: my last show was Three Sisters by Chekhov. The school also put on musicals and I never thought about them until the head of drama saw me in a Year 13 play and suggested that I auditioned. At university, I was in Stage 2, which is the university theatre group, in a modernized Oedipus.

David: Why does the play appeal to you?
Tenzin: Just how voyeuristic it is, seeing how people behave in private moments, although they are putting up facades and lying. Other plays I’ve been in have just been theatrical. I can relate to my character – in a shocking manner – seeing how people behave in unusual and private scenes.

David: So you like Ben?
Tenzin: He’s decided what he wants to go for, and he’s trying his best. He’s trying to be businesslike, but there’s a twist and he has to deal with the situation when emotions get into it. He exposes himself and becomes vulnerable. People are always putting up masks and he is brave enough to drop his mask and to become open and reveal himself.

PERFORMANCE DATES
Thursday 5 to Saturday 7 June 2014 at 8pm
Sunday 8 June at 2pm
Tuesday 10 June to Friday 13 June 8pm
Saturday 14 June at 2pm and 8pm

BOOKINGS
iTICKET – www.iticket.co.nz or phone 09 361 1000 (booking fee will apply)

TICKETS
Evening $22, Evening Discount $20
Matinee $16, Matinee Discount $13
Discount available to Students with ID, Seniors 65+ years and Community Services card holders

VENUE
Stables Theatre (Ellerslie War Memorial Community Centre, Cnr Main Highway & Arthur St, Ellerslie, Auckland

ends

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