Downstage Proudly Presents Our July-Dec 2006 Programme
This is your first taste of our diverse and exciting second season line up.
We’ve got passion, we’ve got murder, we’ve got love, we’ve got blood, we’ve got war, we’ve got laughs, we’ve got
something wicked for everyone this season…
U Boat Down Under
Written and Directed by Peter Tait
27 July – 5 August
After a successful world premiere in March, Peter Tait (Return of the King and Back River Road) brings his humorous
historical based piece of physical theatre to Wellington.
It was in the summer of 1945 that a German U boat U 862 under the command of Heinrich Timms, visited the east coast of
New Zealand. No torpedoes were ever fired, but there has been conjecture ever since, as to what the submarine was doing
here. Did the crew ever come ashore? What did they get up to, while they were here? Maybe one of them stayed.
Featuring: Donna Akerston, Jo Davison and Michael Lawrence
Under Milk Wood
Directed by Rachel More
12 August – 9 September
Look. Look. Listen. Come closer now.
Only you can hear and see behind the eyes of the sleepers.
Hilarious, irreverent and full of raucously scandalous goings-on, Under Milk Wood sketches a midnight to midnight prowl
of Llareggub, a small fictional seaside town in Wales where eccentricity is tolerated, sin is forgiven and love and lust
are nurtured - or at least dreamt about.
From where you are you can hear their dreams.
Featuring: Ray Henwood, Jude Gibson, Loren Horsley, Tim Spite and Michael Williams.
Designers: Nicole Cosgrove (set and costume) and Lisa Maule (lighting)
Presenting Sponsor:
Bearing Point
Those Indian Guys present
D'Arranged Marriage
12 – 17 September
Monsoon Wedding meets Bend it Like Beckham with a slice of My Big Fat Greek Wedding!
Created by Those Indian Guys, D'Arranged Marriage is a one-man show that has sold out in three countries and has been
performed over 150 times. This smash hit comedy brings Bollywood back to Wellington after the sell out success of From
India with Love at the 2006 Oddfellows International Comedy Festival.
Featuring: Tarun Mohanbhai / Rajeev Varma
www.thoseindianguys.com
The Blonde, The Brunette and the Vengeful Redhead
By Robert Hewett
Directed by Colin McColl
21 September – 7 October
Everyone has their own story to tell about the day that Rhonda Russell, deserted wife and mother, went berserk in the
shopping Mall. But who knows where the truth lies?
In this gripping adventure the world is turned upside down in a disastrous yet devastatingly funny sequence of events.
As the intrigue unfolds seven different characters give a fresh twist to the tale.
Kerry Fox returns to New Zealand for this tour de force one woman show. Best known for films such as An Angel at my
Table, Shallow Grave, Intimacy and Welcome to Sarajevo.
An ordinary day at the mall. A crime of passion. Extraordinary consequences.
Featuring: Kerry Fox
Designers: Kate Hawley (set) and Phillip Dexter (lighting)
Co-presented with Auckland Theatre Company
Taki Rua Productions presents
Nga Tangata Toa
By Hone Kouka
Directed by James Beaumont
18 October – 4 November
1919 - Taneatua returns from the war a hesitant hero.
Te Wai, escorts him to her East Coast marae. Surprising him with the news of the arrival of his friend William and her
cousin Rongomai, a haunted Taneatua asks for the return of the pounamu he gave her.
Waiting stoically, her father Paikea, has given three sons to the war; she clings to her surviving boy believing he has
paid for his sins. But for Rongomai, she comes cradling a legacy of unsettled scores.
Kouka has sculpted a work reaching to the very heart of the obsessive nature of revenge.
‘…elemental passions and the dark tragic action of lust, murder, love and long-simmering desire for utu unfolds.’
Dominion Post
Featuring: Rob Mokaraka, Erina Danielsm, Olivia Robinson, Miranda Manasiadis, Matt Saville
Designers: Tracey Monastra (set), Martyn Roberts (lighting) and Stephen Gallagher (sound)
Dracula
By Hamilton Deane and John L Balderston
Directed by Catherine Downes
11 November – 16 December
1893: A quiet English town has an exotic new resident, charming Transylvanian aristocrat Count Dracula.
Enigmatic and terrifying, sensual yet deadly, the fearsome figure of Dracula continues to haunt and enthrall audiences
of all ages. As old as sin itself, the story’s epic battle between good and evil, darkness and light, is one that has
journeyed through the generations to the very heart of our modern-day world - and maybe beyond.
Downstage is proud to present Dracula, the Broadway sensation, as this year’s holiday spectacular, starring George
Henare as the Prince of Darkness himself.
You’re in for a bloody good night!
Featuring: George Henare, Ken Blackburn, Danielle Mason. Steven Ray and Teodor Surcel
Designers: John Parker (set), Phillip Dexter (lighting) and Nic Smillie (costume)
Presenting Sponsor:
The Dominion Post
ENDS