Stagecraft Theatre’s Cold Fire

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MEDIA RELEASE

8 January 2006

Established company brings new feel to the Fringe

Mature theatre-goers who feel a Fringe show might just be a bit too – well ‘fringey’ would do well to check out Stagecraft Theatre’s Cold Fire season.

Featuring Jack Winter’s Dream from renowned New Zealand poet and author James K Baxter and Effie’s Burning from English playwright Valerie Windsor, the two-play production promises to challenge audiences while still delivering a polished, professional night’s entertainment.

Director of Effie’s Burning, Iona Anderson says one of the objectives of the production is to bring the fringe to a new audience.

“The fringe has a real energy and excitement that audiences want to be involved in but they can sometimes be wary of highly experimental or new work. We’re an established company with strong technical and production support that can ensure audiences will see a quality show.”

Ingrid Sage, director of Jack Winter’s Dream says including a play by an iconic New Zealand figure has also helped Stagecraft challenge it’s own production skills.

“Jack Winter’s Dream was written as a radio play and bringing it to the stage requires creativity as we still want the audience to use their imagination. It’s a beautiful piece of writing that will really reward audiences,” says Ms Sage.

Both directors were delighted with the quality of actors auditioning for the roles with the enduring appeal of James K Baxter demonstrated in the auditionees who had previously performed roles in a version of the show performed at the Opera House some years ago.

“We’re very confident we’ll be contributing an excellent production to this year’s Fringe festival and audiences will also be getting value in two shows for the price of one,” says Ms Anderson.

Cold Fire featuring Jack Winter’s Dream, James K Baxter’s lyrical play about the last night of Jack Winter as he dreams about the gold rush days of Central Otago, and Effie’s Burning, a taut, powerful drama about a young doctor who has to find the truth about Effie, a ‘moral defective’ burned in a fire, runs at the Gryphon on Ghuznee from 15 – 25 February.

Prices are $18, $15 and $12 for Fringe card-holders.

Bookings visit www.stagecraft.co.nz or phone 385 0532. Door sales will be available at the theatre – Gryphon Theatre, 22 Ghuznee Street, central Wellington.

ENDS

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