Silo, the Simpsons & a Pop-Culture Explosion

Silo, the Simpsons & a Pop-Culture Explosion

Silo Theatre presents
MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY
Written by Anne Washburn
Directed by Oliver Driver

Brace yourselves - a nuclear apocalypse is coming. The Simpsons, pop music, high art and storytelling explode onto the Q Theatre stage from September 13 - 29, when director Oliver Driver lets loose on the international hit MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY.

It’s a day-after-tomorrow scenario. No food, no electricity. In the aftermath of an untold apocalyptic event, a group of strangers huddle around a makeshift campfire, attempting to take their minds off this new unthinkable reality by piecing together an episode of The Simpsons, one of the only memories they share. When the grid fails and society crumbles, how do we rebuild a culture? What stories and mythologies will we want and need, and how will we keep them alive?

MR. BURNS is a live theatrical event that breaks down the divide between low and high art: part musical, part mythic-mashup, this form-busting extravaganza has delighted and challenged audiences in New York, London and Sydney. The Simpsons is brought back to life and elevated to godlike proportions, shifting from fireside storytelling to community amdram to highbrow pop opera. It jumps stylistically all over the show, flick-flacking from naturalism to music video, from Greek drama to grubby razzle dazzle.

"The Simpsons is a cultural institution and has made a big mark on contemporary culture" says director, Oliver Driver. “It’s the longest-running sitcom in US history and if society was to collapse and reset itself you could almost imagine the Simpsons replacing the Greek Gods and Shakespeare…well in America anyway."

Playwright Anne Washburn gleefully uses the infamous Cape Feare episode (you know the one) to explore how the pop culture of one era evolves into the mythology of another. If any telly show holds the rule book for post-apocalyptic survival, it’s Matt Groening’s ubiquitous telly show. It’s about community and family after all – the sort of things that survivors who are mourning a broken, lost civilisation would cling to.

The inhabitants of Springfield are played here by a bevy of crazy talented triple threats. Gareth Williams returns to Silo for the first time since his celebrated turn as Lee Harvey Oswald in ASSASINS. He’s joined by Olivia Tennet (THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING), Byron Coll (THE BLIND DATE PROJECT), Carrie Green (CELLFISH), and Silo newcomers Phoebe Hurst(THAT BLOODY WOMAN), Quentin Warren (WELCOME TO THE MURDER HOUSE), and The Breaker Upperers rising star, Ana Scotney.

Much-loved director and life-long Simpson fan Oliver Driver (BELLVILLE) is set to reunite with frequent collaborator, wunderkind muso Leon Radojkovic (PETER AND THE WOLF; BREL). Musical trainspotters can expect a live soundtrack which incorporates Britney Spears, Ricky Martin, Gilbert and Sullivan and Eminem. Itchy and Scratchy singing Britney’s Toxic? Yes please. The dynamic duo are joined by the design team of Silo’s award-winning show PETER AND THE WOLF with set by Dan Williams (HUDSON & HALLS LIVE!) and lighting by Rachel Marlow (BOYS WILL BE BOYS).

“Get in line ASAP. This bizarre, funny, bleak, wonderful show is even better than its hype.” - NEW YORK POST

MR. BURNS: A POST-ELECTRIC PLAY plays Rangatira, Q Theatre
September 13 - 29, 2018
Tues to Wed at 7pm, Thurs to Sat at 8pm, Sun at 5pm
Book at qtheatre.co.nz or 09 309 9771

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