December 4, 2013

CIRCA THEATRE 2014 SEASON: SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE! 

Circa is excited to announce our 2014 line-up, a diverse programme of the best of New Zealand and International work for audiences of all ages!

Fantastic New Zealand plays will take the stage throughout the year, starting with the return of the 2013 hit from Dave Armstrong and Danny Mulheron, Kings of the Gym, followed by the World Premiere of Stuart Hoar’s play for the New Zealand Festival, Pasefika. Directed by Susan Wilson and starring George Henare, Pasefika is a captivating tale of art, love and loss in a world where Parisian and Polynesian cultures collide.

Other NZ productions include: A Play about Fear, by my accomplice and part of the NZ Fringe Festival; Miss Bronte – a story of ambition, inspiration and forbidden love, created using Charlotte Bronte’s letters, diaries and biographical works; Gloria’s Handbag – a modern, magical mystery by Helen Moulder and Sue Rider; Rita and Douglas, presented by Armstrong Creative and based on the letters of Rita Angus; two plays written by Sarah Delahunty, 2b or nt 2b and 4 billion likes, performed by youth company 1^st Gear Productions; Hikoi, Nancy Brunning’s debut play as part of the Te Kakano Season: Matariki 2014; Destination Beehive, a political comedy by Pinky Agnew and Lorae Parry, the sharp-witted duo taking you on a rollercoaster ride towards Election 2014; and Dead Tragic, the cult musical of the 90s, features hits (and misses) from the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Circa will present a sample of some truly remarkable international plays in 2014: fans of August: Osage County will enjoy the Pulitzer Prize nominated Other Desert Cities, which has been hailed as one of the best new plays of the decade. Other international hits include: the NZ Premiere of Equivocation, which has been reviewed internationally as “sizzling theatricality”. With Shakespeare writing your government propaganda, you can’t go wrong … can you?; Constellations, an explosive new work written by the winner of the 2012 Harold Pinter award, Nick Payne; Arthur Miller’s most passionate work, A View from the Bridge, directed by Susan Wilson; A Public Reading of an Unproduced Screenplay about the Death of Walt Disney, whichdirector Danny Mulheron saw in New York and was blown away by; Isaac’s Eye, a quirky theatrical experience directed by Paul McLaughlin; and The Pitmen Painters, an amazing true story from Tony Award-winning writer Lee Hall (Billy Elliot).

Circa is also happy to present a number of family-friendly productions in our 2014 season. We open the year with the return of our traditional family favourite – the pantomime. Mother Goose provides festive fun with an extrava-gander of comedy, costumes and songs. In April, Show Pony Productions will present their delightfully comic contemporary circus piece, The Pianist, great for audiences young, old and everyone in between. Circa’s long-time partners The Improvisors will entertain us throughout the year with a trio of improv favourites, including their popular Improv for Kids during the September school holidays. In July, Circa newcomers Trick of the Light Theatre will present their Chapman Tripp nominated The Road That Wasn’t There, a curious tale for intrepid children and adventurous adults. Finally, Roger Hall’s Red Riding Hood will entertain in the lead up to Christmas. A generation of NZ children have now grown up with pantomime, with 2014 marking Circa’s 10^th year of producing the end of year favourite.

Circa’s 2014 programme presents a year of electrifying and thought-provoking theatre.   

Since 1976, Circa Theatre has built a reputation as one of New Zealand’s liveliest and most innovative theatres. Champions of quality playwriting and performance for more than 37 years, Circa is home and host to New Zealand’s most influential theatre-makers. Circa Theatre’s purpose-built theatre is located on Wellington’s waterfront – right next door to Te Papa. It not only has the two performance spaces, but also has an on-site restaurant, Encore Restaurant and Bar, which offers fusion style contemporary cuisine with a harbour view.

A great Christmas gift idea: the Circa Six Pack, a voucher pack of 6 tickets (for the price of 5) that can be redeemed a number of ways! Available from the Circa Box Office.

With $25 tickets for under 25s, a bargain ‘Friend of Circa’ membership that gives members $33 tickets for the first two weeks of each show, plus a range of other ticket prices and fantastic pre-show dinner options – Circa’s got your ticket for a great night out!