The Theatrical Tale That Explores The Fiery Wahine of Our Past Returns for a Seven Centre Tour!
Red Leap Theatre presents
Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn
Written by Paolo Rotondo / Directed by Julie Nolan
Touring to Napier, Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton
and Whangarei.
Following its highly successful premiere season in Auckland last year, the reworked production of Kororāreka - The Ballad of Maggie Flynn tours to seven North Island centres from August 24. This high energy production is part of the ten-year anniversary
celebrations for Red Leap Theatre - New Zealand’s most original visual theatre makers.
Maggie Flynn, a fiery and unforgettable Irish woman, leaves England a convict and arrives in New Zealand’s capital,
Kororāreka, the captain of a whaling ship. Her fortune twists and turns, from trophy slave to wife of a great chief, to
Madam of the notorious King Edward Hotel. One day culture and history collide, when Maggie must challenge the very world she sought to escape.
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Delving into the lawless outpost of 1800s Russell, Kororāreka - The Ballad of MaggieFlynn introduces a fierce heroine created from the rich and vibrant true stories of New Zealand women. Red Leap pride
themselves in celebrating women’s stories and talent. This uniquely kiwi tale champions women from our past,
rediscovering those too wild to be captured in history books.
“This is a rollicking yarn, with real heart and a charismatic heroine…” - NZ Herald
Kororāreka combines the storytelling skill of Paolo Rotondo and the theatrical flair of Red Leap (The Arrival, Dust Pilgrim), led with the astute eye of Artistic Director Julie Nolan.Best known to NZ audiences for his work on Shortland Street, Rotondo has had a successful career spanning theatre, film and television, as an actor, writer, director and producer.
He made his feature length directorial debut in 2014 with the poignant drama Orphans and Kingdoms, which scooped up several film festival awards. His writing successes include theatre works Little Che, and the highly-acclaimed Strange Resting Places (co-written with Rob Mokaraka).
“Starting with my mother, this story is a fictionalised homage to the strength, power, toughness, resilience and wit that
exists in the character of the New Zealand woman. I do not believe that Kate Sheppard, Helen Clark, Lorde or Eleanor
Catton, are exceptions to the rule, in fact they are a product of a long line of powerful women.” – Paolo Rotondo, Playwright.
Red Leap co-founder Julie Nolan directs a strong cast of five wahine to spin this adventurous yarn, which includes Amber Curreen (Waru, Shortland Street), Alison Bruce(Hilary, The Events, Top of the Lake 1 and 2), Victoria Abbott (Othello and Much Ado About Nothing – Pop Up Globe, All Your Wants and Needs Fulfilled Forever) and 2017 Toi Whakaari Graduates, Katrina George (Under the Mountain, ATC) and Te Puawaitanga Winterburn (He Kura E Huna Ana).
“We are delighted to be taking this incredible kiwi story on tour as part of our 10th year birthday celebrations”, says Julie Nolan, Red Leap Artistic Director. Kororāreka is part of the company’s 2018 landmark programme which includes two new works in development (including Janet Frame’s Owls Do Cry) and staging three tours of Red Leap favourites.
Kororāreka: The Ballad of Maggie Flynn
Napier, 24 August, 7.30pm
Museum Theatre Gallery | Tickets from Ticketek
Wellington, 28-31 August, 7.30pm
Hannah Playhouse | Tickets from Hannah Playhouse
Māngere, 3-4 September, 7pm
Māngere Arts Centre | Tickets from Eventfinda
Albany, 7 September, 7pm
Underground Theatre, Massey University Albany Campus | Tickets from Red Leap Theatre
Tauranga, 11-12 September, 7.30pm
Baycourt | Tickets from Ticketek
Hamilton, 14-15 September, 7pm & 3pm show (Sept 15)
Meteor | Tickets from Meteor Theatre
Whangarei, 19-21 September, 7pm
ONEONESIX | Tickets from Red Leap Theatre
ends