The Titanic Rise and Fall of a Show-Band

Media Release –
For Immediate Release

SmackBang Theatre Company presents
RAISING THE TITANICS
Written by Albert Belz. Directed by Raymond Hawthorne

The Titanic Rise and Fall of a Show- Band

Raising The Titanics is a magical homage to the late and great Maori show-bands of yesteryear, this remarkable musical experience opens at TAPAC from June 23rd.

The play journeys from the present back to the golden age of the Maori show band era to reveal what really sunk the Titanics, who were perhaps the greatest Maori show band never to have existed. Somewhere beneath the oceans of music, mirth and memory lies the truth.

Raising The Titanics is a testament to the Maori Showbands of the 1950’s and 1960’s, these remarkable groups changed the face of New Zealand’s musical landscape and paved the way for future New Zealand musicians. The showbands contained elements from popular entertainment as well as traditional Maori culture, the humour and energy of the performers created a truly unique musical style that put NZ on the map.

Raising The Titanics harks back to a time when bands like The Quin Tikis and Maori Volcanics were in vogue and at the top of the charts. However it is also a story of discovery, dark secrets, whanau and redemption, the play will time travel from the heyday of the band, to the present day, where one woman’s investigation may uncover what made the band fall apart.

The intricate webbing of the cast of characters, past and present, is yet another fine example of the penship of Chapman Tripp award winner Albert Belz (Your’s Truly, Whero’s New Net), who has received accolades for his work in theatre, film and television since 2001. Raymond Hawthorne one of New Zealand’s most senior practioners in the performing arts, helms the production.

Taking the stage are some of the countries biggest names in the entertainment industry; not content with composing the all live soundtrack to the performance, musician Tama Waipara takes to the stage alongside fellow musician Francis Kora (performer in popular New Zealand group Kora), plus Outrageous Fortune’s lovable loser Aaron Spiller, played by Wesley Dowdell.

Shortland Street’s resident nurse/siren Tania Jefferies, played by Faye Smythe, heads a strong female cast that includes Miriama McDowell, seen in No.2 and Dean Spanley and Bronwyn Turei, star of TV2’s Go Girls. Turei is no stranger to working within the realms of music either; having released an album in 2006 entitled Empty Room.

Stick around after the show and watch the showband let loose!

Raising The Titanics plays
Wednesday 23rd June – Sunday 27th June, 7pm (Thursday – Saturday 8pm, Sunday 4pm, Saturday Matinee 2pm)
TAPAC, 100 Motions Road, Western Springs, Auckland
Bookings through TAPAC: www.tapac.org.nz or 09 845 0295
Adults: $20, Students $15

ENDS

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