SAVING GRACE, EROS, GLORIOUS & More Set for The Forge's 2010 Season

Over four years The Forge at The Court Theatre has established itself as an exciting place for theatrical endeavour and attracted audiences with a mix of contemporary, controversial and compelling productions. In 2010 The Forge presents a season that will transport audiences from Afghanistan to Palmerston North to meet polyamorists, carpenters and Alexander the Great.

Artistic Director Ross Gumbley is proud that the 2010 Forge Season is comprised entirely of New Zealand work. "When we saw the quality of the scripts it was an easy decision to make. The aim of The Forge is to present fresh, edgy work and there has been a surge of fearless writing among our playwrights."

Associate Artistic Director Lara Macgregor agrees that the new Forge season offers "dynamic pieces of contemporary work and a year of top-class entertainment" and agrees that the decision was "a reflection of the excellence of the work that exists on our doorstep."

The 2010 Forge Season features five scripted plays and two improvised offerings:

SAVING GRACE, by Duncan Sarkies, examines an unlikely friendship between a young woman living on the street and a lonely unemployed carpenter who invites her into his home. Macgregor directs this "twisty and darkly comic journey". Lara Macgregor directs Kathleen Burns and Jon Pheloung in this comedy-drama that launches the Forge season, running from 12 March until 10 April.

Inspired by film noir and screwball comedies of the 40's, Richard Huber's romantic comedy GLORIOUS takes a struggling writer and bored heiress, adds crackling dialogue and lets the laughs flow. Ross Gumbley directs Phil Brown and Amy Straker. Nominated for the 2009 Playmarket New Play Award, GLORIOUS will run from 30 April - 29 May.

The Court Jesters present another season of THE EARLY EARLY LATE SHOW, this time creating a quirky Kiwi story set in small-town NZ with OFF THE MAP. Created for the 2009 NZ Improv Festival, Gumbley describes the show as "the best improvised theatre I've seen in twenty years". Audiences can enjoy improvised mayhem from 3 - 19 June.

The first of three world premières in The Forge this year, THE PERFUMED GARDEN wends its way through five invasions of Afghanistan: from the Garden of Eden, to a 1970s lecture hall in Grey Lynn to the current peacekeeping efforts in the shadow of the Hindu Kush. Author of BAGHDAD, BABY! Dean Parker once again shows his skill in delivering compelling theatre that reflects current events and Lara Macgregor looks forward to directing "this play that has its own unique theatricality". THE PERFUMED GARDEN runs from 16 July - 14 August.

Caroline Lark's new play EROS peeks through the keyhole at the world of polyamory - the practice of sharing multiple sexual partners. The complications that ensue when two members fall in love makes for a comedy of contemporary manners with an intriguing difference. Yvonne Martin will direct the season from 27 August - 25 September.

Christchurch writer Carl Nixon's latest play, TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP, makes its debut at The Forge. Two actors play multiple roles in a love story set in the most Kiwi of establishments - a local fish ‘n' chip shop. Greg Cooper will direct as comedy ‘n' drama are served up from 29 October - 27 November

The Court Jesters' A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS rounds off the year with its now-traditional Christmas cracker of festive mayhem. This year the Jesters will create a story set at the North Pole amongst the characters of Santa's grotto - reindeer beware!

The Forge will also continue to introduce initiatives to foster new theatre and develop new talent:

FRESH INK is a series of "rehearsed readings" followed by forums where the playwright and practitioners discuss the play with the audience for three scripts in development: Several plays in the Forge season (and Court One 2010-2011 season) are direct results of this process and a unique way for audiences to see "works in progress" and part of the script development process. FRESH INK will be staged from 27 September - 2 October and all tickets are $6.

Following a successful 2009 pilot programme, the Young Playwrights' Initiative will once again partner emerging playwrights with professional mentors to develop a showcase of short pieces staged with professional actors.

For more information, click here.

 

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