From bedroom to Jerusalem – award winning play on tour

For immediate release

From bedroom to Jerusalem – award winning play’s national tour 8 – 30 June

Audiences first viewed The PlayGround Collective’s The Intricate Art of Actually Caring in playwright Eli Kent’s bedroom. Eli and friend Jack Shadbolt were the two actors in the show, performed to an audience of just 15.

The intimacy of that first production, which won Best Theatre and enjoyed a three week sellout season at the 2009 Fringe Awards, has carried over into the theatre version, which Arts On Tour NZ is proud to tour nationally in June (see itinerary below).

Eli and Jack spend their days hanging out in Eli’s bedroom until the death of a mate sparks a spiritual journey. Fact and fiction blur when Eli’s bedroom becomes a car, leading the two young men to poet James K Baxter’s grave in remote Hiruharama (Jerusalem).

Described as ‘a comedy about apathy’, The Intricate Art of Actually Caring’s fresh energy and bitingly honest dialogue gives insight into the issues and ideas affecting young people today. It is also very entertaining.

“…There is barely a concern or issue of human existence that The Intricate Art of Actually Caring does not touch upon and yet it never feels earnest or didactic. Nor is it trivial, not in the least….Don’t miss it.”
John Smythe –Theatreview

For more information contact:
Diana Moir, AOTNZ media publicist, 03 355 2691, 021 126 5738, dhmoir@xtra.co.nz
Steve Thomas, Arts On Tour NZ Trust, aotnz@xtra.co.nz www.aotnz.co.nz
www.intricateart.co.nz

Eli Kent
Generation Y playwright and actor Eli Kent has been praised as a New Zealand writer to watch. A graduate of the Master of Arts in Scriptwriting at the Victoria University Institute Of Modern Letters and winner of the 2010 Bruce Mason Award, Eli was named ‘Most Promising New Playwright’ at the 2008 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and nominated for New Zealand Play of the year. Eli’s mother was the niece of poet James K Baxter.

James K Baxter
One of New Zealand’s finest poets and most controversial figures, James K., Baxter often judged New Zealand society harshly, yet always from the perspective of one intimately involved. Known for his barefoot, bearded appearance, he struggled with alcoholism throughout his life, eventually turning to religion, first becoming an Anglican and then a Roman Catholic. Claiming to have been instructed in a dream to ‘go to Jerusalem’, he adopted the Maori name Hemi and set up a commune at the Roman Catholic settlement of Hiruharama on the Whanganui River.

Itinerary - The Intricate Art of Actually Caring, A PlayGround Collective production

Friday 8 June Hastings
Assembly Room, Hawke’s Bay Opera House, 11am and 7.30pm
Adult $25, Senior/student $20, Groups 10 or more $15, Encore club $18
Book: www.ticketek.co.nz 0800 TICKETEK

Saturday 9 June Pukekohe
Harrington Hall Theatre, 8pm
$20 Book: 0220483214

Sunday 10 June Whangarei
The Old Library, 7.30pm
$20 Book: The Old Library or Eventfinder

Wednesday 13 June Kerikeri
Downstairs at the Turner Centre, 7.30pm
Adults $25, Seniors $20, Under 18 $5
Book: The Turner Centre

Friday 15 June Taumarunui
Little Theatre, 7.30pm
Adults $20, High School students $10
Book: TM Peters

Saturday 16 June Wanganui
Royal Wanganui Opera House, 7.30pm
Adult $25, Senior $23, Friend of Opera House $20, Student $15, School party 10+ $5
Book: Opera House and www.royaloperahouse.co.nz

Sunday 17 June New Plymouth
Alexandra Room TSB Showplace, 6pm
Adults $25, Students $10
Book: TSB Showplace Box office
www.ticketmaster.co.nz 0800 111 999

Tuesday 19 June Takaka
Village Theatre, Commercial St, 7.30pm
$18 pre-booking, $20 at the door
Book: Paradise Video and Laundrette

Thurs 21 June Ashburton
Ashburton Trust Event Centre, 7.30pm
$25 each, $22.50 for up to three, $20 four or more
Students (up to 16 years old) $15
(All prices include service fees)

Saturday 23 June Oamaru
Oamaru Opera House, 7.30pm
$25 pp
Book: www.ticketdirect.co.nz Or 08004ticket

Monday 25 June Twizel
Events Centre Theatre, 7.30pm
$20 Adults, $10 Students
Book: Twizel Information Centre, Events Centre

Tuesday 26 June Cromwell
College Auditorium, Barry Avenue, 7.30pm
Adults $25, SuperGold $20, Student/Child $15
Book: Cromwell I-Site

Wednesday 27 June Alexandra
The Cellar Door, 143 Centennial Avenue, 7.30pm
$20 Book: Alexandra Information Centre

Thursday 28 June Wanaka
Luggate Hall, 7.30pm
$25 Adults, $10 Students (with proof of age)
Book: www.festivalofcolour.co.nz
Or Festival of Colour office upstairs 4 Helwick St (morning only)

Friday 29 June Gore
Little Theatre, 8pm
$25 Book: Eastern Southland Gallery

Saturday 30 June Riverton
Riverton Arts Centre, 7.30pm
$20 members, $25 non-members
Book: Riverton Arts Centre

Arts On Tour New Zealand
Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and theatrical talent to country districts. www.aotnz.co.nz

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