The Packer: A new play by Dianna Fuemana

The Packer

A new play by Dianna Fuemana

BATS Theatre August 26 – 30, 9pm

The Packer, a new play from Samoan/Niuean playwright Dianna Fuemana, will soon have its world premiere at Wellington’s BATS Theatre.

Featuring young New Zealand actor Jay Bunyan, The Packer is told from the point-of-view of a Shane, a young Westie who works all night… packing boxes. We meet him at work but, being the charmer that he is, he soon gets talking and introduces us to Joyce, his alcoholic mother; Brad, his best mate and… Pina, daughter of the Niueans who move in next door. Then he’s off on a hell-ride of a night in Auckland – a ride which will change him forever.

Fuemana will be remembered by Wellington theatre-goers for her critically acclaimed solo show Mapaki, which played at BATS in 1999. The Packer has been written as part of her Masters thesis at the University of Auckland and with this show Fuemana takes a further step: she is also working as The Packer’s director. Says Fuemana “It’s a blast, I love the control – it suits me.”

Jay Bunyan will be new to the Wellington theatre audience. He’s a New Zealander who has featured in the award-winning television show Being Eve, but he currently lives in Melbourne, working as an actor on Australia’s Neighbours. Bunyan was recently nominated Most Popular Male Talent at the Australian Television Logie Awards. “It excites me to be working with one of New Zealand’s foremost female Pacific Island writers.”

The pair are currently rehearsing in Melbourne and, after its season at BATS, will take The Packer to Melbourne theatre venue TheSTOREROOM in early September.

A rough, tough portrait of New Zealand culture, The Packer takes us from a West Auckland state housing area right into the heart of Auckland and back out West again. Gin, pot, P – everyone’s got their poison and – mixed up with culture clashes, next-door neighbours and sexual politics, it’s a potent combination.

What they said about Mapaki…

‘It’s a testament to Fuemana’s writing skills that my focus is on the story and not her cleverness…’ National Business Review, 1999

‘Other little crackers were solo plays: Dianna Fuemana's Mapaki, the story of a young Niuean woman's search for love…’ NZ Herald 2000 Best Theatre of the Year, 2000

The Packer – a new New Zealand play from Dianna Fuemana.

BATS Theatre August 26 – 30 9pm Tickets $16 /$12 Bookings Ph 802-4175

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