Dancing in the Wake: based on the life of Lucia Joyce

For immediate release

Dancing in the Wake: based on the life of Lucia Joyce, daughter of James Joyce

A play by Jan Bolwell

Dancing in the Wake tells the lively and ultimately tragic story of an extraordinary and talented young woman who grew up in the shadow of her famous father, James Joyce.

Bolwell recreates the gaiety and creative fervour of 1920s Paris where Lucia trains to be a dancer at the studio of Isadora and Raymond Duncan, and aspires to join the famous performer, Josephine Baker in her show ‘La Revue Nègre’.

The play blends drama, dance and music to tell Lucia’s story – diagnosed in her mid-twenties with schizophrenia – supported by her friend and troubled lover, the playwright Samuel Beckett, and having to struggle with the differing views of her parents, James Joyce and Nora Barnacle, on the state of her health.

Bolwell describes Dancing in the Wake as “…an exploration of what can happen to the talented child of a very famous parent in struggling for recognition and a sense of identity. Was her illness caused by this or did it compound the problem?”

Arts On Tour NZ is proud to tour this production, which opened to critical acclaim at the 2012 Wellington Fringe Festival.

Dancing in the Wake has a cast of three:

Jan Bolwell (director, Crows Feet Dance Collective) plays both old and young Lucia
Sacha Copland (director & choreographer, Java Dance Company) dances young Lucia
John Smythe (actor, writer & theatre critic) plays Samuel Beckett, James Joyce and Carl Jung.

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What critic Claire O’Neil has said about Dancing in the Wake
“Bolwell's performance is formidable as she bubbles with the 'unhinged folly' within Lucia one minute, then transforms herself as the constrained and overly worried wife and mother, Nora Joyce....."

"John Smythe, who plays Joyce, Jung and Beckett, shines with aplomb and comfort as he switches roles..... and manages to bring us closer to a Beckett that we have never met.'

"But perhaps the most thrilling component in the play is the pivotal role of the young Lucia, played by Sacha Copland. ........ we see many flavours of the character and her struggles, and the wonderful talents of the dancer/actress herself....”

Itinerary

Saturday 25 May Otaki
The Civic Theatre, 3pm
$20, $15 (concession)
Book: Railway Bookshop 06 364 8942

Saturday 1 June Twizel
Events Centre, 7.30pm
$20 Adults, $10 Students
Book: Information Centre Mackenzie Lotto Plus

Sunday 2 June Arrowtown
Arrowtown Hall, 7pm
$20 Book: Lakes District Museum

Tuesday 4 June Dunedin
Allen Hall Theatre, 7.30pm
Book: www.dashtickets.co.nz
$20, $15 (concessions) $10 Students

Wednesday 5 June Oamaru
Opera House, 7.30pm
$25 Adults, $20 Seniors/Students
Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz 0800 4 TICKET

Thursday 6 June & Friday 7 June Christchurch
Performing Arts Centre, Heaton Intermediate School, 7.30pm
$25, $20 (concessions) Door sales

Sunday 9 June New Plymouth
Theatre Royal, TSB Showplace, 6pm
$25 Adults, $20 Senior or group of 6+, $15 Students (limited number available)
Service fees apply
Book: TSB Showplace Box office
www.ticketmaster.co.nz 0800 111 999

Wednesday 12 June Whakatane
The Little Theatre, 7.30pm
$20 Adults, $15 Seniors and Students
Group discount for 6+ - $15 Adults, $10 Students

Friday 14 June Hamilton
Dance Studio, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Waikato University, 7.30pm
$25 Adults, $20 (concessions), $10 Students (tertiary and secondary)

Saturday 15 June Whitianga
Town Hall, 7.30pm
$15, Book: Whitianga Paper Plus

Sunday 16 June Auckland (Bloomsday)
Basement Theatre 4pm & 6pm
$25, $20 (concessions)
Book: www.basementtheatre.co.nz

Tuesday 18 June Otamatea
Repertory Theatre 7.30pm
$30, Book: www.ort.org.nz

Thursday 20 June Kaikohe
Northland College, 7pm
$15, Book: Passion8 or 09 405 2212

Friday 21 June Whangarei
The Riverbank Centre, 7.30pm
$20, Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz
And Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Ave

Sunday 23 June Upper Hutt
Expressions Arts and Entertainment Centre, 4pm
$30 Adult, $20 Concession (Friends)
Book: 04 527 2168 www.expressions.org.nz

Tuesday 25 June Takaka
Golden Bay High School Hall, 7.30pm
$20 Earlybird (before June 15) or $25 after
Book: Golden Bay Gallery or Paradiso Video

Wednesday 26 June Westport
NBS Theatre, 7.30pm
$21.50 Adults, $13.50 Concession, Family 2 adults, 2 children, $62
Book: NBS Theatre or www.bookmyshow.co.nz

About Arts On Tour New Zealand
Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. www.aotnz.co.nz

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