MEDIA RELEASE

7 April, 2016

Niu Sila

Written by Oscar Kightley and Dave Armstrong

At Fortune Theatre: 30 April – 21 May

On tour around Otago and Southland: 24 May – 4 June

Featuring: Gregory Cooper and Semu Filipo

This is a Court Theatre Production directed by Daniel Pengelly

After sold-out seasons in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch, we are delighted to present this hilarious and touching story from two of New Zealand’s top comedy writers, Oscar Kightley (Sione’s Wedding, bro’Town) and Dave Armstrong (Le Sud, The Motor Camp, Kings of the Gym). These two comic geniuses have collaborated for the stage and made a modern classic. Jonathon Hendry, Artistic Director, says, “The quality and timeless charm of this play is clear - it is still selling-out in theatres after 12 years, and schools around the country are including it in their course work.”

This powerful play about the enduring ties of friendship is full of warm humour and nostalgia about growing up in New Zealand in the 70s. Armstrong says he wanted to write the play “…as a requiem for a time in New Zealand that no longer exists. Today, brown and white New Zealanders, with a few exceptions, work in different jobs, live in separate suburbs, and send their kids to different schools. This is not the New Zealand of my childhood.”

“…a funny, sharp and ultimately moving play…” The Press

Kightley says, “…stories like Niu Sila remind us that it’s OK to be different and still live here.” After co-creating The Naked Samoans, he worked on five seasons of hit series bro’Town, NZ's first animated show to play in prime-time. He continues to make us laugh, currently starring as the dim local cop in Taika Waititi's smash hit film The Hunt for the Wilderpeople.

“…a must-see heartfelt experience, filled with laughter and compassion.”
Theatreview.

Niu Sila is about a friendship between two mates that spans 40 years, two cultures and one street. In 1970s suburban New Zealand, six-year-old Ioane Tafioka, fresh off the boat from the Islands, moves in next door to Peter Burton. Instantly becoming best friends, they spend every day together. As the boys become teenagers they succumb to their stereotypical paths, drifting apart, until a chance reunion twenty years later forces them to confront the ghosts from their past.

Find out more about Niu Sila at www.fortunetheatre.co.nz

KEY EVENTS / DATES

Production Dates:

30 April – 21 May in Dunedin

Then on tour around Otago and Southland:

24 May: Oamaru Opera House

26 May: Ranfurly Town Hall

27 May: Alexandra Memorial Hall

28 and 29 May: Luggate Hall

31 May: Cromwell Memorial Hall

2 June: Invercargill SIT Centrestage

3 June: Tapanui, Blue Mountain College

Lunchtime Bites: Thursday, 21 April, 12.30pm in the Dunedin Public Library, ground floor. The actors will perform an excerpt from Niu Sila with an opportunity to win tickets followed by afternoon tea. This is a FREE event.

Opening Night: Saturday, 30 April, 7.30pm, Fortune Theatre.

Members’ Briefing: Sunday, 1 May. Meet at the Fortune bar at 3.00pm for a lively informal chat about Niu Sila.

Forum: Tuesday, 3 May. Join the cast and crew for an open question-and-answer session following the 6.00pm show.

OTHER INFORMATION

Running Time Approximately 90 minutes with no interval

Venue Fortune Theatre, 231 Stuart Street, Dunedin

Performances Tuesday, 6.00pm, Wednesday - Saturday, 7.30pm, Sunday, 4.00pm

Tickets Adults $45, Early Bird (booking 1 month in advance) $37.50, Opening Week Ticket (Sunday-Thursday) $37.50, Senior Citizens $35, Community Services Card $35, Fortune Theatre Members $32, Tertiary Students $22 (2-for-1 tickets on Wednesdays with ID), High School Students $17.50, Group Discount (10+) $35

Bookings: Fortune Theatre, 231 Stuart Street, Dunedin

Box Office 03 477 8323 or visit www.fortunetheatre.co.nz

ENDS

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