My Name is Rachel Corrie, BATS Theatre

Nocturne Theatre presents The Forge at The Court Theatre production of

My Name is Rachel Corrie

Taken from the writings of Rachel Corrie
Edited by Alan Rickman and Katharine Viner

Directed by Lara Macgregor
Performed by Kate Prior

Wellingtonians now have the opportunity to see The Forge at the Court Theatre production of My Name is Rachel Corrie, first performed in Christchurch in June 2009. After a successful season, Nocturne Theatre in association with The Court Theatre brings the play to Wellington in April 2010.

“engrossing, gripping, all-encompassing”
Karin O’Donnell, Cityscape, The Forge at The Court Theatre production 2009

*****

Rachel Corrie was born in 1979 in Olympia, Washington. She had a strong social conscience, a sharp sense of humour and loved a good dance around her bedroom.

In January 2003 she travelled to Palestine-Israel as a member of the International Solidarity Movement. On March 16th 2003 she was killed by an Israeli military bulldozer while protecting the home of a Palestinian family. Her death drew world-wide media attention and caused international controversy.

*****

Rachel was a prolific writer and My Name is Rachel Corrie is a one-woman play taken completely from her diaries and e-mails, edited by British actor and director Alan Rickman and Guardian journalist Katherine Viner. In 2005 it opened at the Royal Court Theatre in London and became the fastest-selling play in the theatre’s history. After transferring to the West End in 2006, the production won the Theatregoer’s Choice Awards for Best Director, Best New Play and Best Solo Performance.

The play was set to have its American premiere in New York in March 2006, when the producers indefinitely postponed the U.S debut. Outraged political groups made allegations of censorship, drawing pro-Israeli accusations of bias. The Royal Court withdrew the rights. Eventually the production made its Off-Broadway debut at the Minetta Lane Theatre in October 2006 and has since been produced in over 13 countries.

“Stunning. Theatre can’t change the world. But what it can do, when it’s as good as this, is to send us out enriched by other people’s passionate concern”.
Michael Billington, The Guardian (Royal Court Theatre production 2005)

After the Christchurch season, Wellington-based actress Kate Prior felt that it was essential that the work be taken to audiences throughout New Zealand. "The play is not simply another solo show or monument to some foreign martyr" she says, "it is a window on a world we find it so hard to imagine. It allows us to come on board with one extraordinarily brave woman in her search for her own values in an increasingly confusing social and political landscape. And she makes you laugh".

Director Lara Macgregor adds, “politics aside, this is a play about Rachel; the daughter, student, co-worker and friend. My Name Is Rachel Corrie is Rachel’s story, told in her own words. Regardless of whether audiences agree or disagree with her views, her life and commitment to her ideals is inspirational.”

In addition to the season at BATS, My Name Is Rachel Corrie will tour Wellington secondary schools where the performance will be followed by a student forum. Kate Prior was overwhelmed by the response from Christchurch students to the play, and is keen to bring the show to young people in Wellington. "Rachel was not much older than these 16 and 17 year-olds when she travelled to Palestine-Israel" she says, "and I found the play really struck a chord with many young people. I'm looking forward to some good discussion with Wellington students".

BATS Theatre 8 – 24 April
book@bats.co.nz / 802 4175
Director Lara MacGregor
Performer Kate Prior
Original Set and Costume Design Rita Carmody
Original Lighting Design Josh Major
Soundtrack Geoff Nunn
Video Andrew Todd

ENDS

More information about Rachel Corrie can be found at www.rachelcorriefoundation.org

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