TSUNAMI RELIEF EVENTS IN AUCKLAND In support of the company’s many Pacific Island colleagues and collaborators, Auckland Theatre Company is joining the efforts to raise money for victims of the tsunami that has devastated areas of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

October 21, 2009

TSUNAMI RELIEF EVENTS IN AUCKLAND

In support of the company’s many Pacific Island colleagues and collaborators, Auckland Theatre Company is joining the efforts to raise money for victims of the tsunami that has devastated areas of Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

First up, the cast of OLIVER! will be collecting for the Appeal from company patrons and audiences after the Opening Night performance on Saturday 31 October. All money collected will go to Red Cross and Auckland Theatre Company will match the donations that are collected on the night.

Secondly, on Sunday 8 November at 7.30pm Kilia Kokonut Krew and Auckland Theatre Company are presenting STRICTLY BROWN a Tsunami Fundraiser at TelstraClear Pacific Events Centre as part of the Manukau Festival of the Arts. Proceeds from this performance will also be donated to the Red Cross Appeal.

About the shows:

STRICTLY BROWN
For ONE NIGHT ONLY – 7.30pm Sunday 8 November!

Bigger, blacker and better than ever! STRICTLY BROWN is a sizzling hot new Comedy and Variety show presented as part of the Manukau Festival of the Arts 2009.

Modelled on New York’s long-running ‘Amateur Night at the Apollo’ which launched the careers of legends like Billy Holiday, Ella Fitzgerald, Bessie Smith, Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder, James Brown and Lauryn Hill, STRICLTY BROWN showcases six undiscovered acts who will compete for the Grand Prize, with the winner chosen on the night.

Special guests include Anapela Polataivao and Goretti Chadwick (Where We Once Belonged, My Name is Gary Cooper) who take to the stage as ‘Pani and Pani’, the Pacific-rim’s answer to Kath and Kim. The show also features Robbie Magasiva (Shortland Street, Bro’ Town, My Name is Gary Cooper and Where We Once Belonged) and musicians Adeaze.

STRICTLY BROWN is hosted by comedy crusader Vela Manusaute (The Brownies, Taro King, Once Were Samoans) with the Kila Kokonut Krew and ‘Empty Rooms’ band starring Tony T (Adijah).

Be in to win some great spot prozes, and bling to pimp your jandals with! Join the Krew for a ‘full phat nite’ of entertainment.

Oliver!
Oct 29 – Nov 21, SKYCITY Theatre

Auckland Theatre Company’s dazzling new production of the world’s most loved musical Oliver! is coming to SKYCITY Theatre!
"Beg, borrow, or steal a ticket – it’s worth it!" BBC Radio 2

Starring New Zealand’s leading character actor, Mark Hadlow as the master thief Fagin, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Sophia Hawthorne, Helen Medlyn and introducing Conrad Edwards and Mitchell Hageman as Oliver, this ever-popular story of the boy who asked for more, vividly brings Dickens’ timeless characters to life.
"What extraordinary excitement Lionel Bart’s Oliver! still stirs" Evening Standard

Follow the adventures of the orphan Oliver as he escapes his bleak and lonely workhouse existence, journeys to London, and is taken in by a gang of apprentice pickpockets. When he’s falsely accused of exposing the gang by the frightening Bill Sikes, he discovers he has more friends than he ever imagined.

"Fresh, exuberant and spiritually full of beans. A little bit scary, a lot of fun, a rip-roaring success" Independent on Sunday

Packed full with irresistible songs, great dance routines, evocative sets, and over 50 performers, Oliver! is an unmissable feast for the eyes and ears!

Book today for this truly entertaining family musical so you don’t have to ‘pick a pocket or two’ to get in!