New Zealand Talent Flocks to Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014

More than 200 New Zealand artists will be coming over to Edinburgh this August; the largest group of leading New Zealand actors, dancers, musicians, writers, Maori performing artists, spoken word and visual artists to have ever performed together outside New Zealand. Eight leading companies will be taking part in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, appearing mainly at Assembly Festival and Summerhall.

Chief Executive of the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Kath Mainland, says: "We're thrilled that Creative New Zealand is investing in this wonderful project to bring some of New Zealand's most exciting creative talent to Edinburgh this summer. As the world's largest arts festival, and one of the most significant international arts markets, the Edinburgh Festival Fringe is the perfect place to show off New Zealand's cultural wares to the world.'

Included in the NZ at Edinburgh 2014 season, supported by the Arts Council of New Zealand (Creative New Zealand), are Auckland Theatre Company; Pasifika theatre group Kila Kokonut Krew; Te Matatini's national kapa haka champions; dance company Black Grace; Royale productions with their Zombie inspired site-specific show The Generation Of Z and Cuba Creative with a production exploring the complex emotional bonds of New Zealand's wartime history and the connections M?ori shared with the Italians.

New Zealand at Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2014:

HAKA, Te Matatini, Assembly Hall
Experience 25 of New Zealand's two leading Te Matatini kapa haka groups, Te Waka Huia and Te Wh?nau ? Apanui, presenting HAKA, the story of Te Hokowhitu ? T?, the M?ori Battalion, in a poignant commemoration to those who fell and those who returned. Raw emotion meets melodious harmonies in this electrifying display of the world renowned expression of Maori identity. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=26

The Factory, Kila Kokonut Krew, Assembly Hall
New Zealand's first-ever Pacific musical, The Factory, is a vibrant, funk-fuelled and entirely unique exploration of the Samoan migrant experience. Opening with a powerful call to ancestral roots delivered by the cast, The Factory is a moving, heart-felt story filled with music, song and dance. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=56

Black Grace, Assembly, Roxy Central
Black Grace presents a collection of dance works by acclaimed choreographer Neil Ieremia. The work is rich in the story-telling traditions of the South Pacific and expressed with raw finesse, unique beauty and power. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=145

On the Upside Down of the World, Auckland Theatre Company and Laurel Devenie, Assembly Roxy Upstairs
Written by award-winning playwright Arthur Meek, On The Upside Down Of The World is based on the true story of intrepid Briton Lady Mary Ann Martin, who sailed to New Zealand to civilise the natives but instead found liberation and love as she fought against injustice dealt to M?ori at the hands of the English. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=43

The Generation of Z: Edinburgh, Royale Productions, Container Yard, Assembly Garden
The Generation of Z is immersive, site-specific theatre at its most intense. Thrust into a post-apocalyptic world where the threat of zombie attack is imminent, audiences must fight for their survival. Drawing on the conventions of zombie movies, the show employs pre-recorded movie footage, live CCTV footage and a large cast of security guards and zombies performing in a maze-like security containment depot. The Generation of Z had a sell-out season after its premiere in Auckland in 2013.
http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=145

Black Faggot, Multinesia Productions, Assembly, Roxy Upstairs
It's not easy being young, gay and Samoan - especially when God and your mother are watching. A parade of colourful characters collides in this hit from the Auckland and Melbourne Fringe festivals. Black Faggot is written by leading New Zealand playwright Victor Rodger. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=8

Strange Resting Places, Cuba Creative, Assembly 2
Combining live music with drama, comedy and performed in M?ori, Italian and English, Strange Resting Places shines a light on the complex emotional bonds of New Zealand's wartime history and the connections M?ori shared with the Italians through wh?nau (family), kai (food) and waiata (song). Strange Resting Places, written by Paolo Rotondo and Rob Mokaraka, is theatre crafted from extensive research, contemporary storytelling and personal experience. Originally commissioned by Taki Rua Productions. http://www.assemblyfestival.com/event.php?id=138

Duck, Death and the Tulip, Little Dog Barking, Summer Hall
Adapted from the award winning book by Wolf Erlbruch, Duck, Death and the Tulip is a gentle, warm and witty story about an unlikely friendship between Duck and a character who introduces himself as Death. Together Duck and Death learn about the wonders of life and the sadness of death. Directed by Nina Nawalowalo with music from Gareth Farr, the show uses mime, magic and puppets, to tell a very special tale. http://nzatedinburgh.com/show/duck-death-and-the-tulip

The NZ at Edinburgh 2014 season will feature New Zealand artists at seven of the Edinburgh Festivals: the Edinburgh International Festival, regarded as the world's leading arts festival; the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, the world's biggest arts festival; the renowned Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; the Edinburgh Art Festival; the Edinburgh International Book Festival; the Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival and the Scottish International Storytelling Festival.

Creative New Zealand is grateful for the support of our partners, who have made this season of New Zealand at Edinburgh possible:

British Council New Zealand: Supporting the New Zealand delegates to take part in the 2014 MOMENTUM programme, and two nights of New Zealand contemporary music. Creative New Zealand and the British Council established MOMENTUM in 2013 to support greater artistic collaboration and exchange. This resulted in a delegation of 18 arts professionals attending last year's Edinburgh Festivals, to develop their own professional networks. The MOMENTUM 2014 programme forms part of an on-going partnership between British Council and Creative New Zealand.

Partners: The New Zealand Government through Manat? Taonga: Ministry for Culture and Heritage's Cultural Diplomacy International Programme

British Council New Zealand and British Council Scotland; Edinburgh International Festival; Edinburgh Festival Fringe; Edinburgh International Art Festival; Dunedin Public Art Gallery; Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo; Auckland Arts Festivals, Fringe Season Manager; Assembly Festival; Edinburgh International Book Festival; Scottish International Storytelling Festival; Creative Scotland.

For more information, visit www.nzatedinburgh.com, www.assemblyfestival.com or www.summerhall.co.uk.

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