Prayas presents  RUDALI – The Mourner

In the small village of Tohri – somewhere in India – powerful men exploit women – the wife, the neighbour and the local prostitute. To some it is destiny and caste, but not to Sanichari, the strong central character in an exciting new English language play from Prayas. Sanichari is mother in law to a beautiful and feisty woman who certainly does not accept her place or fate and sets out to defy the village rules. Around them in the village are a host of lively characters, from caring and conniving neighbours, a long lost friend, the comic village priest, ruthless landlords, some brazen prostitutes and a wickedly endearing old nag. Together, they weave a story of friendship, treachery, greed, lust and duplicity around the unusual business of ‘‘Rudali’’ a professional female mourner. There are places in India – Tohri is one – where women of a lower caste are hired as mourners upon the death of rich upper-caste males. A Rudali (rou-daali) is paid to grieve aloud publicly so the family of the dead retain their upper caste dignity befitting their social status.

Jointly directed by Amit Ohdedar, Prayas and Margaret Mary Hollins, TAPAC, Rudali-The Mourner will showcase Indian folk music with a live orchestra, colourful dances and a vibrant village carnival.
Rudali- The Mourner, based on a story by Mahasweta Devi,  will be staged at TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland from May 18 to 27, 2012

Not recommended for children. Contains adult themes and offensive language

Dates:

Fri 18th May 7.30pm
Sat 19th May 7.30pm
Sun 20th May 4pm
Thur 24th May 7.30pm
Fri 25th May 7.30pm
Sat 26th May 6pm
Sun 27th May 4pm

Tickets:

Adult $30.00
Concession $20.00
Student (with valid ID) $20
Groups of 4 or more $25

Visit www.prayas.co.nz

The 25^th of May, is African Union day. This day is unique to all who are African and to friends of Africa. Africa has moved from liberation of the Africa continent (OAU) to Unity, building and integration of the African community (AU).

This year’s theme is for Africans in New Zealand is: “Celebration of African Diversity, Celebration of Oneness and Celebration of Success.”

There will be speakers, music, dance, displays, ethnic foods, cultural displays and any items that will showcase Africa. Also Excerpts from new play by Zimbabwean playwright, Stanley Makuwe: Footprints on Ika’s Heart.

Venue: TAPAC 100 Motions Road, Western Springs

Time:    7:00pm to 11:00 pm.

Entry by donation

Copenhagen, September 1941. A year after the Nazi invasion, Denmark’s most eminent scientist Niels Bohr, a Jew, invited the head of Hitler’s atomic research programme Werner Heisenberg to dinner.

But as the two men stepped outside for some air, Bohr realized Heisenberg had an agenda so ambitious, so terrifying that he must be stopped at any cost. The betrayal would end their friendship and change the course of history forever.

What did Heisenberg say and why did he come? No one has been able to give a credible explanation of what happened that strange night. Until now.

Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Bruce Phillips and Simon Kane star in Michael Frayn’s brilliant, critically-acclaimed play.

Winner of the Evening Standard Best Play Award (London), the Tony Award (New York) and the Prix Moliere (Paris).

‘Frayn makes ideas zing and sing in this play’ Daily Telegraph

‘Tremendous play’ Sunday Times

‘Brilliant’ NZ Herald

Jennifer Ward-Lealand

Show dates:

Wed 30th May 7.30pm (preview)
Thur 31st May 7.30pm
Fri 1st June 7:30pm
Sat 2nd June 2pm & 7.30pm
Sun 3rd June 4.30pm
Tues 5th June 7.30pm
Wed 6th June 7.30pm
Thur 7th June 7.30pm
Fri 8th June 7.30pm
Sat 9th June 2pm & 7.30pm
Sun 10th June 4.30pm

Tickets:

Adult $35.00
Concession (Senior/Child/Student with valid ID)  $28.00
Preview 2 tickets for $25.00

LIKE COPENHAGEN ON FACEBOOK

VIEW OFFICIAL POSTER

Dive down the rabbit hole with the award-winning Outfit Theatre Company into the wacky and whimsical wonderland of Alice. Based on the classic stories by Lewis Carroll and adapted by the team who brought you Treasure Island and King Arthur, Alice is this year’s must-see family adventure show.

“a veritable maelstrom of ingenious theatrical antics…brilliantly batty”

Theatreview – KingArthur, 2011

“The Outfit Theatre Company never fails to impress”

Theatreview -TreasureIsland, 2010

Tickets:

General Admission  $15.00
Family Pass (2 x Adult & 2 x Children) $45.00

Dates:

Wed 4th July 11am
Thur 5tn July 11am & 1.30pm
Fri 6th July 11am
Sat 7th July 11am & 6pm
Sun 8th July 11am
Mon 9th July 11am
Tue 10th July 11am
Wed 11th July 11am
Thu 12th July 11am & 1.30pm
Fri 13th July 11am
Sat 14th July 11am & 6pm

Beautiful Losers

“I came away feeling I had been hit in the face with a glass of champagne,
stunned and delighted.”  Hawkes Bay  Today

Beautiful Losers is a Comedy/Drama based on the crazed and inspired relationship between writer Jack Kerouac and con artist/car thief Neal Cassady and their journeys through America in the 1940s and 1950s.

In their pursuit of the ultimate high, Jack and Neal leave New York City for Mexico, accompanied by a soundtrack of cool jazz, conversation, amphetamines and booze.  On arrival in Mexico they are thrust into the world of William Burroughs and his partner Joan – what happens next is a combination of high times, low deeds and cruel tragedy – almost unbelievable but terribly true.

When Jack Kerouac’s seminal novel ‘On the Road’ is published it propels Jack to the giddy heights of literary fame and seriously challenges his beautiful relationship with Neal.

Beautiful Losers is a sweeping story of fame and its consequences.  It is the story of the man who created the Beat Generation and the beginnings of the Counter Culture.

Beautiful Losers performed at the SiLO Theatre in 2003, Bats Theatre, Suter Theatre Nelson & Playhouse Theatre Hawkes Bay in 2004.

Margaret-Mary Hollins directs in stream of consciousness style, leaping through their wild life stories… hilarious, profane and tragic..Very polished and very funny.  Gilbert Wong, Sunday Star Times

Marvellous, irreverent exuberance,….A fine piece of work.  Frances Edmond, Listener

Nothing short of brilliant.   Lynne Freeman Capital Times

Nothing short of brilliant….energy and passion never falter as they switch from their main characters to lovers and parents and back again. As the director, Margaret-Mary Hollins must take much of the credit for this production’s success.  Her direction is original and visionary, illustrating just how exciting and evocative physical theatre can be at its very best. Which is just what Beautiful Losers is.”

Dates:

August:

Wed 22nd 6.30  - Preview
Thur 23rd 8pm
Fri 24th 8pm
Sat 25th 8pm
Tue 28th 7pm
Wed 29th 8pm
Thur 30th 8pm
Fri 31st 8pm

September:

Sat 1st 8pm
Tue 4th 7pm
Wed 5th 8pm
Thu 6th 8pm
Fri 7th 8pm
Sat 8th 8pm

Tickets:

Adults $35.00
Concessions and groups 6+ $30.00
Preview $25

Direction & Production by: Natalie Hugill

Auckland’s most fun and frivolous night of entertainment!

Ladies and Gentleman: prepare to be immersed into an enchanting atmosphere, as New Zealand’s best actors, dancers, singers, live bands, circus, cabaret & burlesque artists take you on one very entertaining journey. You’ll be transported

to a wonderful world of theatrics, fun and frivolity in the form of a vaudevillestyle cabaret. The full cast list will be revealed before tickets go on sale on August 1st! But, just to tease you, our first performer announcements are none other than Leda Petit, Patty Haag, Jarred Fell and The Speitatet Jazz Trio!

For more information please see www.llvcabaret.com

Photo copyright ©Jocelen Janon – www.jocelenjanon.com

ONE SHOW ONLY!

Saturday 27th September

Doors Open 7pm
Show Starts 8pm

$30 Tiered GA Tickets | $40 Cabaret Table Seats (x6 seats per table)

$45 A Reserve (with complimentary glass of champagne & prime seating)

Directed by: Beth Kayes and Margaret-Mary Hollins
(OH BABY! & Co. Theatre Physical)

Story Consultant: Renee Liang (The Bone Feeder)

All of us come from somewhere; we have an origin, a beginning, a birth place.

We are made of journeys that encompass the whole world and we tell an interwoven

story with many tongues. We are Culture Clash with a cast of 40+, a multidisciplinary

live performance, blending amazing talents of professionals and the

community. With performers from different backgrounds, ethnicities, ages and

disciplines with fire, music, dance and theatre we will take you on a journey

that you will never forget.

Show Dates:

Oct 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 30, 31
Nov 1, 2, 3

Tickets:

$25.00

       

SAT 10TH MARCH

Programme

11am            Pacific Dance NZ Hula workshop for public participation

12.30            TAPAC Entrance Ura Tabu Pacific Dance

1pm              TAPAC Theatre – Birds

3pm              TAPAC THEATRE Playreading  of  ‘E Ono Tama’i Pato’  by Maureen Fepuleai

5pm              TAPAC STUDIO ‘Revival’ by Chris Molloy & Indigenous Theatre Group 2

ALL WELCOME – ENTRANCE BY KOHA

Pacific Dance NZ Hula Workshop  -  Everyone welcome to join in!

Polydancing in the City with Kumu Blaine Kamalani Kia
Polydancing in the City is Pacific Dance New Zealand’s annual dance workshop held as part of the Pasifika festival. This year, we are pleased to have visiting kumu hula Blaine Kamalani Kia presents a 1 hour free taster workshop introducing Hawai’i’s art of hula dancing.
Kumu hula Blaine Kia is a master hula teacher based in Hawai’i and is the head and founder of the Ka Laua’e Foundation, which runs a number of halau (hula schools) around the world.
This foundation has more than 2000 students learning in 15 halau from Japan to the West Coast of America and as of 2010 right here in Auckland. Kumu Blaine’s Auckland based halau is called – Ka Waikahe Lani Malie (Heavenly peaceful flowing waters).
Kumu hula Blaine will offer an introductory course into the basics of Hawaiian hula, covering some of the history of the dance and introducing participants to the basic movements of hula.
Come and learn the graceful sway of the Islands and get a taste of Hawai’i’s world famous artform!

Registrations are essential as class size is limited. To register email auckland@pacificdance.co.nz

Ura Tabu Pacific Dance welcomes you on the front steps of TAPAC 12.30

newwayinTHEATRE presents a premiere performance of

BIRDS

A new theatrical work written & directed by Dianna Fuemana performed by Ali Foa’i & Reid Elisaia

An urban story told through the eyes of a young Niue boy growing up in Auckland’s Avondale Hood-Lands.

Tommy likes to dance the hip-hop, has a mad crush on the lead Kapa Haka girl at school and believes he can kung fu the biggest bully terrorizing the local Riversdale Park. But Moka has different plans for Tommy. Moka wants him to wake up on time for school, go to university and learn things Niue. Two wills collide but both must win in order to fly like the BIRDS. Shining a light on the bond between son and mother within a small community, BIRDS gives flight to the voices of the hood.

THE REVIVAL (new working title)

 A powerful new work by Chris Molloy and Indigenous Theatre Group, (The Last Taniwha – Matariki  Festival 2011 and His Mother’s Son – Pacific Fringe 2012)

 ’The REVIVAL’ is set from 1907 (the passing of the Tohunga Supression Act) through the both World  War’s through to 1970′s New Zealand, where urban drift is at its peak and new Pentecostal   Charismatic movement has taken a stronghold of a physically and spiritually displaced people.    Evangelists quickly rise to power and national fame only to fall into sin just as quickly.  

Essentially a love story, this epic historic tale is laced with the horriors of war, grand gospel music and spiritual fervour including great miracles and coupled with unbridled passion, love, lust and naked ambition. It asks the question that the historian and moralist, John Acton  (1834–1902) expressed “Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely” 

Do great men, always become bad men?

Are you interested in achieving exceptional health?   Jason Shon Bennett is one of a new breed of health experts who specialises in the area of health and longevity.  He gives it to us straight about the ‘state of the nation’ and the world and how we are being ravaged by western lifestyle diseases while heading for epidemics in many of them.   But it doesn’t have to be that way.  Jason is an incredibly well-researched, highly engaging and inspirational speaker.  He puts plant-foods back on the map and shows us how through simple dietary and lifestyle changes, we can radically transform our health, our weight and our disease risk.  He talks about centenarians, genetics, heart disease and prevention.  Come and check him out on Wednesday 9^th of May and get ready to be inspired!

To get an idea of Jason and what he is all about, check out the many videos on www.jasonshonbennett.com
VIEW THE OFFICIAL POSTER

Venue: TAPAC Theatre, 100 Motions Rd Western Springs

Date: Wednesday 9th May, 2012

Time: Doors open 6.30pm. Seminar 7.00 – 9.00pm

Cost: $15 (Book now – limited seats)

To book your ticket go to    www.jasonshonbennett.com

For more information email       tracey@jasonshonbennett.com