Media Release – for Immediate Release
Chekhov Comedies Feature in Red Shorts at the Herald Theatre
The Moldova Arts Theatre Company* is touring New Zealand with Anton Chekhov’s Vaudevilles, and they’re stressed… the
orchestra has run off to Queenstown, the star is on the verge of a marriage breakdown and the whole company is being
held together by a Romanian tap dancer.
Olfarts Comedy Company presents Red Shorts at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE from June 7-23 as part of the
STAMP programme.
Combining classical theatre, European clowning, character acting and a Russian song or two, Red Shorts is a newly
developed piece of theatre bringing together four classic Chekhov plays in an hilarious night of entertainment as
audiences catch the chaotic backstage action of a dysfunctional, yet talented theatre company.
Developed by Auckland actor, director and playwright Kevin J Wilson around Anton Chekhov’s plays The Boor, The
Harmfulness of Tobacco, A Pink Stocking and The Swan Song, Red Shorts presents Chekhov’s early plays that he wrote for
his local vaudeville theatre when he lived in the small Russian town of Taganrog.
Performed by experienced New Zealand theatre, film and television actors Michael Lawrence, Denise Snoad, David Stott,
Peter Cox and Kevin J. Wilson. Red Shorts is directed by Romanian director George Tudor, and stars Romanian immigrant
actress Cristina Ionda.
Cristina has extensive theatre, film and television experience in Europe.
Adding to the exotic feel of the production is leading Romanian costume designer Mihaela Bau who assisted with the
costume design on Cold Mountain.
Red Shorts is at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE from June 7-23. Book at Ticketek.
ENDS
* The Moldova Arts Theatre Company is fictitious and any resemblance to any existing or former theatre companies is
entirely coincidental.