December 10, 2013

FORTUNE THEATRE 2014  

40th Anniversary Season 

2014 marks Fortune Theatre’s 40th Anniversary. Rubies, which represent the 40-year milestone, are believed to have an eternal inner flame. Fortune Theatre is Dunedin’s gem that has burned brightly in the heart of the city for the last four decades. It has revived classics, produced works by locally, nationally and internationally renowned playwrights and, most recently, has centralised its focus to introduce audiences to new and exciting voices in contemporary theatre.  

The 2014 season stays true to a contemporary vision while celebrating past, present and beyond.

Roger Hall has played a vital role in Fortune Theatre’s history, so it is with great pride the 2014 season opens with the World Première of his newest play Book Ends. Featuring Dunedin icons Dougal Stevenson and Peter Hayden, Book Ends plays homage to writers from various genres facing the challenges of an ever-changing world. A pithy, funny and heart felt story by arguably New Zealand theatre’s most prolific playwright.

From one celebrated New Zealand writer to another, the recent recipient of the 2013 Playmarket Award – Gary Henderson – will see the Dunedin Première of his modern classic, Peninsula, make its way to the Fortune stage. Gary wrote Peninsula while he was resident at the Robert Lord Writers’ Cottage in Dunedin in 2004. Local director Patrick Davies will be at the helm for the telling of this beautifully touching and bittersweet story about small town New Zealand in the 1960’s.

The world would be at a loss without music (or would it?). Fortune proudly presents the World Première of Souvenir: A Fantasia on the Life of Florence Foster Jenkins by Stephen Temperley. A heart felt, wickedly funny, true story about the limits of self-perception, Souvenir flashes back to the musical career of Florence Foster Jenkins – a New York socialite and tone-deaf diva. As seen through the eyes of her beloved accompanist, Cosme McMoon, Souvenir is a touching and comic tribute to Ms. Jenkins’ sincerity, ambition, deep love of music and complete lack of talent — all of which brought a unique joy to thousands.

A coup for Fortune Theatre has been to secure the rights for the New Zealand Première of Jumpy by April De Angelis. This Royal Court Theatre hit will be the highlight of the 40th Anniversary celebrations in July. Silo Theatre’s Artistic Director Shane Bosher directs a cast of nine, led by one of New Zealand’s most prominent actresses (shhh…), in this frank and funny family drama questioning parental anxieties and life after fifty. While Jumpy runs in the evenings a silent show for loud children Cat vs. Dog will be on during the day complimented with a host of 40th Anniversary activities including: readings, forums, talks and tours.

The True Grit Series in the Studio continues with Duncan Macmillan’s harrowing and blisteringly funny play Lungs. This edgy new work explores one couples decision whether or not to have children. Operating at a furious pace and creating the “physical sensation of being hurtled towards an uncertain future”, this play is guaranteed to leave audience members breathless.

The play that marked the successful turning point of English playwright Harold Pinter’s career, The Caretaker, is a highlight in the 2014 Season. Operating off-site at a yet-to-be-announced venue, audience members will be enveloped in this psychological study of the confluence of power, allegiance and innocence.

Last, but not least, we follow four unemployed Kiwi blokes rising to the heights of male stripperdom in order to make some fast cash in Fortune’s Christmas extravaganza. You guessed it – Ladies Night. Ladies Night has been translated into twelve languages and remains New Zealand’s most commercially successful play of all time.

Fortune Theatre invites you to join their special year and to keep the flame burning brightly for the special gem that is Dunedin’s own. Fortune Theatre – one of New Zealand’s longest running professional theatres.

Lara Macgregor | Fortune Theatre Artistic Director

Season tickets are available now. For more information or bookings, visit www.fortunetheatre.co.nz  

FORTUNE THEATRE: 2014 SEASON

BOOK ENDS: 8 February – 8 March

PENINSULA: 29 March – 19 April

SOUVENIR: 17 May – 7 June

CAT vs. DOG: 12 July – 20 July

JUMPY: 5 July – 2 August

LUNGS: 23 August – 13 September

THE CARETAKER: 27 September – 18 October

LADIES NIGHT: 15 November – 13 December