New Zealand’s History is Back to Haunt You

Media Release: for immediate release

New Zealand’s History is Back to Haunt You
- Prepare for Spine-Tingling Paranoia

Auckland Live with Rollicking Entertainment presents
The Dunstan Creek Haunting
Written and performed by David Ladderman and Lizzie Tollemache

Spine-chilling stories from New Zealand’s dark past will possess the Herald Theatre this Halloween, with The Dunstan Creek Haunting from 24 – 31 October. Tales of terror from the Otago gold fields will thrill and genuinely terrify in this show which appeals to the most daring audiences. Afterwards, you will be left wondering why you ever thought sleeping with the lights off was a good idea…

Two travelling carnies develop an obsession with the occult, exposing and explaining the paranormal. But after a site visit to the remote Dunstan Creek their shows have been disrupted by strange occurrences. Audience members are experiencing phenomena that can’t be explained in and outside of the venue. They are starting to believe that something has followed them back from the goldfields. What if they are not really alone in the theatre?

There is no doubting the play's immaculate stagecraft and trickery. I jumped in my seat a couple of times. There are moments where an atmosphere of dread is conjured and then transformed into a real scare. And that is no mean feat – Stuff.co.nz

These unnerving tales create a creeping dread that comes only when fantastic performers combine their monumental skills with sublime stagecraft. Those digging for gold may have discovered more than they ever bargained for. Fans of horror films such as The Conjuring and The Others will revel in these eerie tales.

Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman are actors, circus artists and variety entertainers who produce and tour original work as Rollicking Entertainment. Between them they have performed at over 50 festivals across nine countries, and won numerous awards including the Iron Chicken - the World Buskers Festival's prestigious Critics’ Choice award. Previous engagements have included Auckland Live Pick & Mix, New Zealand Opera, The Hobbit world premiere, the 2011 Rugby World Cup, the 2015 Cricket World Cup and in a series of festivals across North America and the UK.

This show is R13 for a reason. If you want your kids to be able to sleep at night, take the young ones to Halloween: Trick or Treat (28 & 29 October), at the Herald Theatre, instead. Created especially for ages five and up, it has just the right amount of spooky fun to delight in, without causing nightmares!

Auckland Live Programme Development Producer, Anders Falstie-Jensen, says “I saw The Dunstan Creek Haunting when it premiered at The Court Theatre in Christchurch and was immediately taken by the story Lizzie and David were able to conjure up. They are exceptionally gifted performers and their sleight of hand skill was genuinely unnerving. It’s a real pleasure to have them perform this gothic gem to adult audiences while also being able to perform a show for children, Halloween Trick or Treat, during the day on the same stage.”

The Dunstan Creek Haunting plays:
Tuesday 24 – Tuesday 31 October
Tuesday 24 & Wednesday 25, 7pm; Thursday 26 – Saturday 28 October and Tuesday 31 October, 8pm and Sunday 29 October, 6pm
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre
Recommended for ages 13 and over
Duration: 75 minutes (no interval)
Tickets: $20 -$35 (service fees apply)
#DunstanCreekHaunting #AucklandLive
Book at aucklandlive.co.nz/show/the-dunstan-creek-haunting

For more information, images and interviews contact:
Saraid Cameron at Elephant Publicity
09 368 4180 | 027 491 1646 | saraid@elephantpublicity.co.nz

The Dunstan Creek Haunting was first performed in association with The Court Theatre, Christchurch.

Please note: Dunstan Creek was the site of gold mines in the South Island of New Zealand during the 1800’s and was later renamed as St Bathans.

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