No Holds Bard – Michael Hurst tours with AOTNZ 29 July–31 Aug 2018
Driven to the brink by the infidelity of his wife and a lack of acting opportunities, an aging thespian confronts his
demons in what he hopes will be a final ‘dark night of the soul’. The problem is, his demons are as crazy as he is.
Arts Laureate Michael Hurst takes audiences on a glorious tour de force in which four of Shakespeare’s greatest
creations - a foul-mouthed Macbeth, a confused Hamlet, a know-it-all Othello, and a really hungry Lear – come kicking
and screaming into the bursting, deranged brain of a single man. An outrageous and at times profound view into one
actor’s attempt at self-destruction.
Ticket includes a 30 minutes Q and A with Michael Hurst after the performance.
“….a well-crafted, clever, uproariously funny and ultimately moving journey…smart and witty script…belly laughs of sheer
delight…there’s so much to enjoy here that it is hard to choose highlights.” - Theatreview
Michael Hurst
Best known internationally for playing Iolaus in the television programs Hercules: The Legendary Journeys and companion
series Xena: Warrior Princess, both of which he also directed, Michael Hurst is one of New Zealand’s most recognisable
performers and experienced directors.
He most recently appeared on stage in 2017 as Salieri in Amadeus for Auckland Theatre Company, along with a number of
other celebrated performances, and has also worked with Silo Theatre as a performer and director, renowned for his
powerful and unique interpretations of Shakespeare, in most recent years tackling Twelfth Night, Measure for Measure,
Macbeth and Hamlet and King Lear. In 2017 he directed and co-created the smash hit musical Pleasuredome which played to
over 55,00 people in Auckland.
Michael won the Best Director Award in the Metro Awards 2008 for The Threepenny Opera. His television and film directing
credits include Westside, Evil Dead, 800 Words, Spartacus, Step Dave, The Almighty Johnsons, Legend of the Seeker, and
Jubilee, and he is also an experienced stunt performer and fight choreographer.
In 2003, Michael was awarded an Arts Foundation of New Zealand Laureate Award. He was
later designated an Officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2005 “for services to film and
the theatre”.
Itinerary
Sunday 29 July 5pm Hamilton
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, University of Waikato
$25, Concessions $20, Students $10
Book: www.waikato.ac.nz/academy 0800 383 5200, Academy Box office via Gate 1, Knighton Rd
Wednesday 1 August 7.30pm Kauaeranga Hall
Kauaeranga Hall
Door $22, Pre-book $20
021 912 993 or at Lotus Realm Thames
Thursday 2 August 7.30pm Coromandel
Hauraki House Theatre
$20 Book: Harcourts Coromandel
Friday 3 August 7pm Whitianga
Whitianga Town Hall
Adults $25, Youth $10
Book: Paper Plus Whitianga
Saturday 4 August 7.30pm Paeroa
Paeroa Little Theatre
$25 Book: Positive Paeroa or Arkwrights Antiques
Sunday 5 August 7.30pm Tauranga
16th Avenue Theatre
Adult $24.90, Seniors $22, Child under18 $15
Book: www.ticketek.co.nz
Wednesday 8 August 7.30pm Gisborne
The Dome PBC
$30 Book: The Aviary
Thursday 9 August 7.30pm Taupo
The Playhouse
$25 Book: Trybooking
Friday 10 August 8pm Norsewood
The Old Dairy Factory
$20 On the door
Sunday 12 August 7.30pm Picton
Picton Little Theatre
$25 book: Take Note Picton and Alyssums Blenheim
Tuesday 14 August 7.30 Theatre Nelson
Ghost Light Theatre
$20 Book: www.ghostlight.nz
Wednesday 15 August 7.30pm Takaka
The Village Theatre
$25 and $20 Book: Pohutakawa Gallery
Thursday 16 August 7.30pm Hokitika
Old Lodge Theatre
$20 Book: Hokitika’s Regent Theatre
Friday 17 August 8pm Christchurch
Gloucester Room Isaac Theatre Royal
Adult $35, Subscribers/concessions $30
Booking fees apply. Book: www.ticketek.co.nz
Saturday 18 August 7.30pm Ashburton
Ashburton Trust Event Centre
‘Open Hat’ No charge prior to the event
Sunday 19 August 7pm Geraldine
The Lodge Theatre $25 Book: LOUK Clothing (No EFTPOS)
Monday 20 August 7.30pm Oamaru
Whitestone Contracting Auditorium
Opera House
$20-$25 plus booking fees
Book: Ticketdirect and Oamaru Opera House
Tuesday 21 August 7.30pm Alexandra
The Cellar Door
Adult $25, Gold Card $20, Student $10
Wednesday 22 August 7pm Roxburgh
Town Hall
$20 Book: i-Site and door sales
Thursday 23 August 7.30pm Arrowtown
Athenaeum Hall
$25 book: Eventfinda
Friday 24 August 7.30pm Invercargill
SIT Centre Stage Theatre
Pre-sales $25, Door sales $35
(service fee applies)
Book: www.eventfinda.co.nz
Saturday 25 August 7.30pm Twizel
Events Centre
Adult $25, Student $10
Book: Twizel Information Centre
Tuesday 28 August 7pm Opunake
Opunake Players
17 Layard Street $10
Wednesday 29 August 7.30pm New Plymouth
4th Wall Theatre
Adult $35, Seniors $28, Student $20
Book: www.4thwalltheatre.co.nz
Friday 31 August 7.30pm Whangarei
The Riverbank Centre
$30 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz
And Storytime Reyburn House Lane
Arts On Tour NZ (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust
receives funding from Creative New Zealand as well as support from Central Lakes Trust, Community Trust of Southland,
Interislander, Otago Community Trust, Rata Foundation and the Southern Trust. AOTNZ liaises with local arts councils,
repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and theatrical talent to country districts. The
AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to their audiences rather than the reverse. (ends)