Media Release: For Immediate Release
The Funny But True Story Of A Life Performed With Tourettes!
“Strata Creative and STAMP at The Edge present
Paul Barrett in TIC TIC
Well known NZ performer Paul Barrett shares his firsthand experience of a lifetime with Tourette syndrome in an
outrageous and entertaining evening of musical satire with the premiere of his solo show - TIC TIC, playing at Limelight
Laugh Lounge from May 4 -8.
Drawing on his vast experience as a professional actor, singer and musical director Barrett singlehandedly plays a cast
of dozens to tell the story of his life. Determined to build a successful career in the entertainment industry Barrett
reveals how he coped with the intense demands of public performance in spite of the many vocal and physical tics that
are part of his syndrome.
Written by award- winning playwright Michelanne Forster, and Paul Barrett and directed by the accomplished Jennifer
Ward-Lealand , TIC TIC unashamedly presents the wildly funny side of tourette’s, while giving audiences insight into
this often misunderstood syndrome.
TIC TIC was part-funded by a 2009 New Zealand Mental Health Media Grant - proudly supported by the Like Minds, Like Mine
programme and the Mental Health Foundation of New Zealand. Judi Clements, Chief Executive of the Mental Health
Foundation says, "TIC TIC is an exciting project, because it will draw people into a world they are unlikely to be
familiar with, and in an entertaining way that will leave them with a new perspective on the issues and challenges
associated with Tourette syndrome."
Although Paul Barrett has appeared in over 100 professional theatre productions, played numerous roles on television and
has a wealth experience as a musical director he finds his TIC TIC performance the ‘most challenging of his career’.
The genus for TIC TIC came out of a chance conversation with his dear friend and colleague Michelanne Forster in 2008.
Forster was surprised to learn that Paul had Tourette syndrome and encouraged him to work with her on recording a series
of conversations about his life. The transcriptions of which provided the starting point for the script.
Forster’s prize-winning plays been performed professionally throughout New Zealand and in Australia, Canada and the
United States. Her play include, My Heart is Bathed in Blood, This Other Eden, The Rosenberg Sisters, Larnach, and
Daughters of Heaven and The Great Storm of 1868. She has also written scripts for Television New Zealand, TV3, Radio New
Zealand and The Learning Channel (USA).
LIMITED SEASON BOOK NOW!
TIC TIC is part of the NZ International Comedy Festival and plays:
Where: Limelight Laugh Lounge (Aotea Centre, The Edge)
When: 8.30pm. Tue 04 May - Sat 08 May 2010
Tickets: $20- $25. Plus applicable booking fees
Bookings: 0800BUYTICKETS or www.buytickets.co.nz
ends