HEAT - eco theatre of the Antarctic at BATS

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Ice Floe Productions proudly presents the STAB season of:

HEAT
By Lynda Chanwai-Earle
Directed by David O’Donnell
Sound designer and composer Gareth Farr
Set Design by Brian King

7 – 22 November, 7.30pm
Matinee 15 & 22 November 2.00pm
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce
Bookings: 04 802 4175 or book@bats.co.nz
Cost: $20/13. $15 groups 6+

A woman, a man, and a penguin – theatre of the Antarctic

Sometimes extreme conditions push you to the extremes.

It’s 1999 and a husband and wife scientific team hunker down inside a tiny, tightly packed survival capsule on the Ross Ice Shelf, wintering over in the vast frozen Antarctic, accompanied by only web-cam, sporadic radio contact, the amazing Aurora Australis, and a colony of male penguins.

Struggling to maintain a failing relationship, Stella (Kate Prior) observes breeding patterns among Emperor penguins, while John (Aaron Cortesi) monitors climate change – until the untimely introduction of a third character (Brian Hotter) blows their fragile world apart. Life in the hut takes one dark turn after another, caught live on ‘cam’ in an explosive climax where only two of the three will come out alive, just in time to witness the first vivid streaks of light as it dawns on the beginning of the endless day.

Echoing the real restrictions of life in the Antarctic and in the dynamic spirit of a STAB show, Heat will use self-sustainable energy means - powered off-grid with lights, sound and electronics from low drain and/or renewable energy. The production will look, as the Antarctic stations are increasingly doing, to partnerships with companies developing sustainable, renewable power sources.

2008 is the first International Polar Year for 50 years, so once again scientists, policy makers and governments worldwide are focusing on the precious and fragile qualities of the polar worlds. Heat brings together this scientific contemplation with those uniquely human qualities we all have.

With a new script originally commissioned by Circa Theatre, music by recent CNZ Antarctic Fellow Gareth Farr and design features by Afterburner’s Marty Roberts, Heat opens a rare glimpse into the extraordinary isolated experience of being an Antarctic scientist, being a human pushed to the extremes, and of the sheer beauty of a winter in the Antarctic.

Part of STAB 2008: commissioned by BATS Theatre with funding from Creative New Zealand. STAB originated in 1995 from BATS Theatre’s desire to initiate a commission that allowed theatre artists to experiment in a supportive environment. The STAB commission is an essential part of the BATS annual programme and can be accessed by all performance media: dance, theatre, opera, music, film, interactive media and magic! www.bats.co.nz

Ice Floe Productions would like to thank Playmarket, New Zealand’s Playwrights’ Agency & Script Advisory Service, www.playmarket.org.nz ‘Heat by Lynda Chanwai Earle has been commissioned by Circa Theatre with a grant from Creative New Zealand, and received development assistance in a workshop partnership between Playmarket and Circa Theatre.’

ENDS

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