05 FEBRUARY 2011
Insomniac Writer Faces Ultimate Deadline In Writer’s Block
Insomnia and depression are not generally thought of in comedy terms, but Wellington based actor and writer Thomas
Rimmer's new solo piece, Writer's Block, deals with these very themes. The play explores a struggling writer's descent
into madness and is based on a poem written by Rimmer, which chronicals his own struggles with insomnia and depression.
"Although the poem is a lot darker than the play, I've tried to capture the feeling of solitude of the original piece
and turn it in to a kind of tragic comedy", Rimmer says. "They say 'write about what you know', and Writer's Block deals
with those darker, twisted aspects of my own mind."
Rimmer himself has suffered from depression and anxiety since his mid teens and describes himself as a part-time
insomniac. “Although the play itself is not a carbon copy of my own life, I felt a very strong connection with the
character and his current emotional state”, Rimmer says. “I understand how he’s feeling at this point in his life”.
Rimmer has enlisted the skills and talents of Canadian-born director Alec Wheeler to take his play from the page to the
stage. Wheeler has been busy dividing her time between Writer's Block and her current position as Programme & Partnerships Manager for Young and Hungry Arts Trust.
Also, lending her talents as Lighting and Sound Technician, is Julia Campbell, a Wellington-based freelance video artist
who has a large amount of Fringe experience.
Writer's Block will be performed as part of Wellington Fringe Festival's 2011 season at Whitireia Performing Arts
Centre's new location at 25-27 Vivian Street. The season will be 3rd-5th March at 7.30 pm plus an additional performance
on 5th March at 3.00pm. Tickets $12, $10 unwaged.
Book at www.wpac.org.nz