September 12, 2008

Conversation with PAUL McLAUGHLIN  

BATS Theatre Monday 29 September 7pm

"Where does a new work or idea begin?  When I asked this question of Paul he answered … I got sick of being in plays that no one wanted to come and see and I got sick of listening to myself sit in a greenroom and bitch with other actors and I thought its time to do something… He’s describing the genesis of a work that would eventually become ‘Hotel" and go on to launch him into a whole new avenue of exploration. A path that would make him a director and a producer as well as an actor." – CP

This month in Conversation Christian Penny [Head of Directing and Associate Director – Toi Whakaari: New Zealand Drama School] will interview Paul about his work, motivations dreams and then invite response and conversation from industry and audience.

Conversation aims to create an environment for us to share frankly and personally about theatre, what it means to us as audiences and practitioners, how we make it and how we understand that together.

Paul is a graduate of Otago University (B.A) and Toi Whakaari/The NZ Drama School, graduating in 1996 (Dip. Professional Drama [Acting]).

For the last 11 years he has been working continuously as an actor in theatre and TV. 

"Paul McLaughlin is a writer’s dream. In Gormsby, no matter how pathetic his character was on the page Paul had the intuitive gifts and courage to make him truly wretched and somehow likeable. He was fabulous!" – Tom Scott

Paul has appeared in over 35 professional stage productions. Credits  include ‘Cabaret’, ‘Macbeth’, ‘Fool for Love’, ‘Mouth’, ‘The Love of Humankind’, ‘Speed-the-plow’, ‘The Love of Humankind’, ‘Oxygen’, ‘The Bach’, ‘Drawer of Knives’`, and the Pulitzer Prize winning stage sensation ‘Doubt’ (Chch Production of the Year 2006), ‘Peninsula’ (Christchurch, Brisbane and Nelson Arts Festival’s 2006). This year he performed in Albert Belz’ ‘Te Karakia’ at The NZ International Arts Festival and the Northland Arts Festival and began touring ‘Hotel’, at The Taupo Arts Festival.

In 2008 he became the inaugural Artistic Director Intern, spending 5 months at Auckland Theatre Company being mentored by Colin McColl.

His latest work is WAIT UNTIL DARK, opening at Circa Theatre October 10.

There will be no admission charge for Conversation but we will be asking for koha towards costs. We are not pre-booking seats so admittance will be on first come first served basis. If you have any questions please contact Briar on 021-2711002 or briarmonro@clear.net.nz