Onstage Project Presents
Wasps
By Aristophanes Directed by Toby Papazoglou Designed by Tolis Papazoglou
20 February – 2 March, 8.30pm The Amphitheatre at Studio 77 – 77 Fairlie Tce, Kelburn Bookings: 04 389 8212 or
wasps.onstage@gmail.com Cost: $25/20/15
From the Father of Comedy, Aristophanes, Onstage Project presents WASPS, a classic comedy about judiciary hi-jinks and
big stings.
Aristophanes is regarded one of the best and most indecent writers in the world. His eleven surviving works are a
dramatic combination of the slapstick of The Three Stooges, the song and dance of a Broadway musical, the verbal wit of
W. S. Gilbert, the exuberance of Mardi Gras, the parody of a Mel Brooks' movie, the political satire of Doonesbury and
the outrageous sexuality of The Rocky Horror Picture Show, wrapped up in the format of a Monty Python movie!
In ancient Greece these plays began as harvest festivals in honour of the god Dionysus, god not only of wine, but of
ecstasy and transformation. These festivals were times when the hard work of the season was over, when people could
relax and, under the sponsorship of the god. To continue with this festival tradition WASPS will be a panegyris
celebration with food, drink, dance and theatre performed in an outdoor amphitheatre environment.
“WASPS is a play where you can have good time,” says director Toby Papazoglou. “A night full of laughs everyone can
enjoy, cast and audience alike. A chance to revel in the playfully ridiculous side of theatre, while basking in the
warmth of a summer evening!”
Created by father and son team Tolis and Toby Papazoglou this is Onstage Projects first Summer Classic Season – an event
Onstage hopes to make an annual celebration of great theatre.
Starring: Michael Gavriel, Robert Hickey, Jerome Leota, Fraser McLeod, Gavin Rutherford, Asalemo Tofete, Robert Tripe
and Zac Wineera
“A beautiful production, that felt entirely faithful to the Greek tenants of drama and yet also highly accessible to a
New Zealand audience. Onstage Project demonstrates that highly arresting, powerful and relevant drama can be produced
from classical scripts.” – Helen Sims, Lumiere, Antigone 2007
ENDS