The Emergency Room presents
AUTOBAHN: a short play cycle
By Neil LaBute
Combining the talents of theatre luminaries with the next generation of talent, The Emergency Room is excited to present
the NZ premiere of LaBute’s provocative collection of one-act plays - AUTOBAHN, playing at the Basement Theatre from
4th-14th of November.
Set within the confines of the front seat of a car AUTOBAHN explores the mine-field of abusive, controlling, or
otherwise toxic relationships. From a break-up gone awry, to a kidnapping thinly disguised as a road trip LaBute’s
unsettling montage gradually reveals the scabrous force of words left unsaid while illuminating the delicate interplay
between intention and morality.
The star-studded cast boasts a stable of high profile actors and directors including Shane Bosher (Ruben Guthrie,
Holding the Man), Bruce Phillips (The History Boys, The Wife who spoke Japanese in her Sleep), Elisabeth Easther
(Outrageous Fortune, Shortland St), Margaret-Mary Hollins (Blackbird, Ooh Baby Baby!), Colin Moy (The Mercy Seat and
many acting credits including In My Fathers Den and Betrayal) and Annie Whittle (The History Boys, The World’s Fastest
Indian). This impressive ensemble work alongside NZ’s rising new stars of acting and directing to deliver a stripped
back, claustrophobic and captivating production.
"There is no playwright on the planet these days who is writing better than Neil LaBute."
--John Lahr, The New Yorker
Acclaimed playwright and director Neil LaBute has received high praise from critics for his edgy and unsettling
portrayals of human relationships. The staging of his plays in NZ including The Shape Of Things, The Mercy Seat, This Is
How It Goes and Bash have developed a strong home audience for his work.
Newly formed theatre production company - The Emergency Room are delighted to present this LaBute premiere as their
first foray into the NZ theatre scene. They aim to produce work that pairs experienced industry professionals with
emerging talent to fill the gap between fringe and top end work created by companies such as Silo Theatre and Auckland
Theatre Company.
ENDS