Duncan Armstrong’s Solo Show Premieres at Auckland Fringe

Media Release
23 January 2018

Duncan Armstrong’s Solo Show Premieres at Auckland Fringe

Everybody Cool Lives Here presents Force Field, a humorous and heartfelt story of a man edging closer to his thirties, homesick for a life he’s yet to build. It premieres at Basement Theatre, 20 - 24th February as part of Auckland Fringe Festival.

Co-created by performer Duncan Armstrong and director Isobel MacKinnon, this will be their third collaboration in conjunction with production company Everybody Cool Lives Here.

In the play Duncan’s character Chris is eager to find love beyond that of his eternal flatmate/mother. All his rational thoughts slip when an accidental rendezvous brings him together with the woman of his dreams. Blinded by his euphoria – their language and physical barriers are no match for his attempts to woo her.

The devising duo have in part been inspired by their shared love of Shakespeare, looking at the power dynamics between Prospero and Calliban in ‘The Tempest’. Duncan was keen to make the work more accessible “it’s kinda like ‘Where the Wild Things Are’ but instead of in the bedroom it’s in the workplace”. Designers Meg Rollandi, Jason Wright and Jason Longstaff will support infusing the magical nature through projection, sonic and lighting elements. The work is currently being developed in Wellington thanks to a residency at Massey University’s Theatre Department.

The Basement Theatre was selected as it’s the beating heart of Auckland theatre where emerging multi-disiplinary work is first presented. Over summer, the theatre has improved their physical accessiblity for artists and patrons, with a new entrance and bathrooms. Force Field is one of their Fringe shows offering concession tickets for individuals opting to link up with strangers on their choice of professional, friend, or romantic dates.

Duncan is keen to make the show available to as wide a range of audience as he can. “It’s for adults, families, and the elderly… it’s not too funny, not too serious, not too sexual, it’s just right”. Feedback during the season will support it’s future development.

Duncan believes creating this solo work will encourage more opportunities. Roles written for people with disabilities are quite limited. He says “If directors give him the right support, I just go for it”, if not he'll just keep creating his own opportunities. Duncan will pitch this work during PANNZ (New Zealand’s Performing Arts Market) to regional festivals and is currently investigating the potential of taking the work to Edinburgh Fringe.

Duncan’s talents span multiple artforms, including dance, music and theatre. He was acknowledged with a Highly Commended Artistic Achievement Award during the 2017 Arts Access Awards at Parliament. His short film ‘Drumming Is Like Thunder’ was presented at Sydney Film Festival last year and it just went to The London Short Film Festival.

Duncan received a Quick Response Grant towards the development of Force Field from Creative New Zealand. This is believed to be the first individual funding given to someone with a learning disability.

Show Information
Force Field
Basement Theatre,
20 – 24 February 2018
Produced by Everybody Cool Lives Here

Creative Team

Co Created by Duncan Armstrong and Isobel MacKinnon
Directed by Isobel MacKinnon
Performance Designer Meg Rollandi
Sound Designer Jason Wright
Lighting Designer Jason Longstaff

Cast
Chris Duncan Armstrong

Basement Theatre is Auckland’s culture-defining powerhouse - home to an artistic mixtape of the performing arts since 2008. The venue showcases new and local voices, featuring 80% world premieres and over 50% New Zealand work in its programme. Basement Theatre’s unique risk-share model supports emerging artists by reducing their financial risk, taking a percentage of box office sales in lieu of a venue hireage fee. In a world where everything is downloadable, Basement Theatre is the place to see something live.

Everybody Cool Lives Here Trust produces art that reflects Aotearoa’s unique and diverse voice. We connect artists and groups to help build confidence and empower them to succeed and become leaders in their community, in the aim to bring the marginalised to the middle.

Links:
http://everybodycoolliveshere.com/force-field/
https://basementtheatre.co.nz/whats-on/2018/2/20/force-field
http://www.boosted.org.nz/projects/solo-developments

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