Red Mole Presents The (Un) Known Island

Red Mole Enterprises Presents A Roadworks Production

The (Un) Known Island

Tales of Trade

3rd to 10th November, 2004

8.00pm (no show Monday)

6.30pm on Friday 5th

Extra Show 6.00pm Saturday 6th

WACT Studios, level 1, 44 Cable Street

Wellington

For bookings call 04 384 8499

The (Un) Known Island tells the story of an undiscovered island somewhere in the oceans of the world, an island that has yet to be colonised or exploited.

To the island come explorers, entrepreneurs, set on discovering new territories and extending the reaches of free trade. In the island they find paradise. The island, in them, finds other things.

With a script written by the Roadworks ensemble that draws on the texts of, amongst others, Alan Brunton, Cesar Vallejo, George W Bush and Eduardo Galleano, the (Un) Known Island is staged cabaret-style with live theatre, mask, shadow puppetry, dance, exaggerated props, and live music composed and performed by the ensemble.

Directed by the critically acclaimed dramaturge, Sally Rodwell, The (Un) Known Island is a typically fascinating and challenging Roadworks Production.

Red Mole was founded in the early seventies by Alan Brunton and Sally Rodwell. After developing an impressive theatrical reputation for early productions like Ghost Rite and Goin’ to Djibouti, and after tours with Split Enz and Th’ Dudes, Red Mole moved to America and Europe from 1978 to 1988, basing themselves in New York . Upon returning to New Zealand , Red Mole took up theatre production again, reminding critics that they were and are pioneers in New Zealand theatre and performance art.

“It is this originality, this unwillingness to rely on received theatrical words or frameworks, combined with a happiness to embrace the first premises of popular theatre . . . which has resulted in the unique contribution of Red Mole Enterprises to the New Zealand theatre scene.”

Terry Snow, Art New Zealand

Roadworks, the currently active Red Mole troupe, developed eight years ago from Rodwell’s productions at the Victoria University Russian Department, stagings of Bulgakov, Mayakovsky and Dostoevsky. From these beginnings came a multilingual ensemble that has expanded and strengthened the Red Mole company.

“With sinister masks and quarrelling puppets . . . and lashings of imagination . . . [Unbearable Journeys is] impeccably staged . . .”

Jennifer Shennan, The Dominion Post

(on the last Roadworks production, Unbearable Journeys)

Roadworks are also very sad to announce that the company is losing its rehearsal and performance premises. WACT Studios, home of the Wellington Artists Charitable Trust, and where Roadworks holds residence, is being redeveloped and must be evacuated by the collective of artists in February. The (Un) Known Island is very likely the last production to be staged in this unique collective arts space before commercial interests move in.

Red Mole would like to thank Creative New Zealand for assistance in funding this production.

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