Just one hour can change your life!

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Downstage Theatre - Media Release
Released 26/02/2009

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A Night with Beau Tyler: Just one hour can change your life!
Ice cream commercial favourite Peter Feeney stars in an hour of self-help hysteria at Downstage Theatre for the NZ International Comedy Festival

Amidst the disturbing world of the self-help industry shines a bright new star: Beau Tyler is on the comeback trail with a new self help system that will challenge the existing gurus of spin – and rock your world! A huge success already (from Invercargill to Keri Keri, with successful seasons at the Nelson Arts Festival, the Cabaret Festival in Christchurch and the Fuel Festival in Hamilton) this funny and thought provoking theatrical satire proves that just one hour can change your life! Beau Tyler stars as part of the 2009 NZ International Comedy Festival at Downstage from 8 – 23 May.

A Night with Beau Tyler takes an entertaining swipe at the American self-help movement through the personal journey of guru Beau Tyler, as he travels down into the hollow centre of his personality, and bounces back again, stunned but unrepentant. Peter Feeney bases the character of Beau Tyler on the popular television character he played in the Tip Top Memphis Meltdown series of television commercials, and takes a crack at those Anthony Robbins type motivators who have cultivated a multi-billion dollar global business helping others to help themselves.

A Night with Beau Tyler is premiering at Downstage as part of the 2009 NZ International Comedy Festival for a strictly limited season from Friday 8 May till Saturday 23 May, Tuesday to Saturday at 7pm. Prices for the show range from $20 for students to $25 for a full price ticket. A season ticket for both NZ International Comedy Festival shows at Downstage, A Night with Beau Tyler and Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams can be bought for $50 if used on the same night. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage’s box office. For up-to-date information, prices and bookings visit www.downstage.co.nz. Downstage is proudly sponsored by BNZ.

“If laughter is indeed the best medicine, then A Night with Beau Tyler is efficacious therapy indeed.”
Nik Smythe, Theatreview.com

Starring Peter Feeney
Directed by Greg Cooper

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Further media resources are available to download at www.downstage.co.nz/media

Creative Biographies

PETER FEENEY - Actor
Feeney’s activity has not strictly been limited to theatre and commercials. Many international movie goers recognise him as Angus Oldfield from the New Zealand comedy horror Black Sheep. He also starred in 30 Days of Night alongside Josh Hartnett. His performances for UK TV have not gone unnoticed either, having appeared in television series such as Dark Knight and Cold Feet.

New Zealand however knew of Feeney long before the rest of the world from his starring roles in TV shows such as Shortland Street, Secret Agent Men, and Rude Awakenings – as well as his nomination for the “Best Short Film Performance” category at the 2003 New Zealand Film and TV awards (for The Platform).

In 2003 he formed Feeney McSweeney Productions to produce his own theatre that is accessible, affordable – and useful - to the public. Feeney McSweeney’s first play Milo’s Wake played to full houses in Auckland for six weeks in 2005, and toured nationally to similar success in 2006. Further tours of the show are planned.

GREG COOPER - Director
Fellow Tyler junkie, show director Greg Cooper has been involved with theatre and film for over 16 years, as an actor, writer, producer and director. Greg started his professional theatre career with The Court Theatre in Christchurch. As a member of their improvisational troupe The Court Jesters, he went on to represent Christchurch in two national Theatresports Competitions and New Zealand in festivals in London, Berlin, Montreal, Amsterdam, and the World Championships in Los Angeles, where he was a member of the winning team in 1995.

He also co-wrote and performed in The Complete History of New Zealand – Abridged with Mark Hadlow, which toured the country and had a successful season at The Herald Theatre in Auckland last year.

Greg moved to Auckland seven years ago and has kept busy with performing, directing, voice-over work and writing. He also specialises in corporate entertainment through the highly successful Auckland company Conartists, formerly Auckland Theatresports. Highlights of his time in Auckland have been playing a pot smoking motorcyclist on Shortland Street and Heroic Fawn Number One in the Disney film The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. This experience has formed the basis for Greg’s own one man show of the same name which is premiering at this years Auckland Fringe Festival. Watch out Beau Tyler!

Find out more at www.feeneymcsweeney.com

ENDS

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