THE RAFT 'Sails' Into Downstage Theater 6/12, Opens Season

Carl Nixon's award winning drama The Raft comes to Downstage in June.

Set over a rainy weekend in a West Coast bach, The Raft is a stormy emotional journey about a family stranded by the elements and forced to confront issues that threaten to tear them apart.

"The raft is a metaphor for not having any control over things, for being out there, pushed around by the currents." Carl Nixon
Originally written and performed for the Court Theatre in Christchurch, The Raft received reviews including: "gifted with Nixon's highly workable dialogue, a powerful human story of insight, drama and compassion is assured." Lindsay Clark - Theatreview. The Raft adapted for radio by Dean Parker, was recently awarded Best Dramatic Production at the 2009 New Zealand Radio Awards.

The Raft will now make its Wellington premiere with the Downstage season opening on
June 12. Directed by Duncan Smith, the show has assembled a cast that includes Peter Hayden (The Daylight Atheist, Footrot Flats), Heather O'Carrol (Guardians, Le Sud), Jason Whyte (Apollo 13, Year of the Rat) and Susan Curnow (Lovelock's Dream Run, Shortland St). Surprisingly given the experience of The Cast, all except Peter Hayden are making their Downstage debut. For Peter, it will be a long awaited return to Downstage after 30 years.
Award-winning writer Carl Nixon has already enjoyed significant success as a playwright with Kiwifruits and Crumpy. His first book Fish 'n' Chip Shop Song, a collection of short stories, was published last year and his first novel, Rocking Horse Road, written whilst Nixon was writer in residence at The University of Canterbury, will be in stores from July 6 this year. In 2007 Carl Nixon won the Katherine Mansfield short story award for My Beautiful Balloon.
Starring: Jason Whyte, Heather O'Carroll, Susan Curnow and Peter Hayden

Directed by Duncan Smith | Written by Carl Nixon

Set and Costume Designer: AnDrew Foster | Lighting Design: Paul O'Brien

Duration: 110 min incl interval

Photo credit: Stephen A'Court