Presenting ...Dark Tourists
A new work by
Malia Johnston & Emma Willis
“Profound and intelligent” Raewyn Whyte, National Radio
“Powerful, evocative, moving and beautiful, this seamless collaboration between playwright / dramatist Emma Willis and
choreographer Malia Johnston is ephemeral in craft and themes.” Alexa Wilson, Theatreview
Roll up, roll up; the last bird on earth is for sale. A distinctly ecological work, Dark Tourists takes the phenomena of tourists’ attraction to death and disaster – or ‘end of the world’ tourism - as the point of
departure for a meditation on how we respond to loss, whether personal or global.
The audience is led through a world on the brink of disappearance by a string of narratives that focus on the personal
relationships and bonds between performers: three old crows who fight over the remains of a barren landscape, a man who
cannot escape his past, a woman who only wants to know “where it happened”, a mischievous tour guide and an unseeing
tourist.
Movement, theatre, music and song are woven together in a delicately balanced investigation of aftermath. Alternately
poignant, funny and confronting, this is a daring new work by some of New Zealand’s most important young artists.
This provocative piece of dance theatre, staged as part of the 2008 Fringe, is co-directed by award winning contemporary choreographer Malia Johnston and Chapman Tripp winning theatre artist,
Emma Willis and features a stunning sound score and live performance by Eden Mulholland. The ensemble cast includes
Peter Daube (Madigan’s Quest, Orange Roughies, Taki Rua, ATC) Sean MacDonald (Black Grace) Claire Lissaman (Soapbox, Maui – One Man Against The Gods) Paul Young (Touch Compass, Outlaw Creative) and Julia Milsom (Touch Compass, Outlaw Creative, Soapbox)
Dark Tourists will be performed at Te Whaea Theatre, 11 Hutchison Road, Newtown, Wellington, 20th - 24th February at 8pm; 23rd
February at 10pm; 24th February at 4pm.
Tickets are $15-24 plus booking fee and can be booked through Ticket Direct by calling 0800 4 TICKET, or via www.ticketdirect.co.nz There will be door sales
ENDS