Fresh Work Transcends Boundaries of Performance & Gender

FRESH NEW ZEALAND WORK TRANSCENDS BOUNDARIES OF PERFORMANCE & GENDER

Circa Theatre & A Mulled Whine present
Uneasy Dreams and Other Things
By Lori Leigh / Directed by Sara Brodie

A phenomenal new play inspired by Franz Kafka’s The Metamorphosis. With pop music. And a penis.

The award-winning Uneasy Dreams and Other Things is set to premiere at Circa Theatre this October under direction from internationally renowned Sara Brodie. Featuring stunning design, photography and live music, and with a cast of refreshing New Zealand talent.

Samantha is moving up in her career. A career overshadowed by everyday misogyny and the successes of men, the fight has been… Long. Hard. Sam has had to “man up.” After a night of uneasy dreams, Sam wakes up on an important morning to find herself transformed. In a state of shock, she must navigate career, sex, friendships, identity, and art within this whole new ball game. A surreal and intelligent story that combines Kafka’s classic work with contemporary dialogue and stunning visual design. And 80’s pop hits.

“Very clever, very funny, very imaginative; a startling, wild ride.” – Playmarket

Part of the 2018 Women’s Theatre Festival, Uneasy Dreams boasts a cast and crew of talented wahine and friends across disciplines and generations. Director Sara Brodie (Auckland Theatre Company’s Under the Mountain, New Zealand Opera) is one of Aotearoa’s most highly regarded Directors and Choreographers, with an extensive repertoire in theatre, opera and dance that has seen her work flourish both nationally and internationally and earned her an Arts Foundation Laureate Award (2015). Playwright Dr. Lori Leigh has utilised her impressive academic background in theatre and gender studies to create this truly contemporary and glass ceiling smashing version of a classic narrative that is wildly fun and intelligent.

Surreal and stunning Set Design by Harriet Denby is complemented by Tabitha Arthur’s photography and Lighting Design by multi-award winning Lighting Designer Jennifer Lal. All set to pop music favourites performed live by Liam Kelly and Peter Scriven.

Uneasy Dreams and Other Things is extremely proud to present the Circa Theatre debut of three of its extraordinary cast; stunningly electric Lydia Peckham, comedy queen Johanna Cosgrove (AUNTY, BURBS), and recently discovered star Arlo Gibson (Mega Time Squad, Mating in Captivity). Hidden treasure Matthew Staijen-Leach (Richard II, Second Afterlife) returns to the Circa stage for the first time in three years.

A play with quick wit, big brains and serious guts; a visual feast and a live music treat. Uneasy Dreams is one impressive package. A Metamorphosis that will leave its audience forever changed.

WINNER – Adam NZ Play Award Runner-Up (2017)
WINNER – Sara Brodie, Arts Foundation Laureate (2015)
WINNER – Sara Brodie for Most Original Production (Wellington Theatre Awards, 2011)
WINNER – Johanna Cosgrove for Outstanding Performer (Dunedin Fringe, 2017)
WINNER – Johanna Cosgrove for Best Comedy (Auckland Fringe, 2017)
WINNER – Jennifer Lal, Best Lighting Designer (Wellington Theatre Awards, 2015/12/10/06/05/04/01/1999)
WINNER – Eleanor Strathern, Most Promising Emerging Artist (NZ Fringe, 2018)

#uneasydreamteam

Uneasy Dreams and Other Things
Wednesday 10th – Saturday 27th October
7.30pm Tuesday – Saturday, 4.30pm Sundays
$25 preview on Tuesday 9th October!
Circa Theatre, 1 Taranaki Street, Te Aro, Wellington
Bookings: www.circa.co.nz // (04) 801 7992
Tickets: $25 – $35

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