My Name Is Rachel Corrie

WEDNESDAY 18 AUGUST 2010

Kia Ora Gaza And Nocturne Theatre Join To Present Fundraising Performance Of My Name Is Rachel Corrie

On the same weekend that a mass land convoy departs London to deliver aid to Gaza, My Name is Rachel Corrie – a one woman play taken completely from the writing of the 23 year-old US citizen who was killed in Gaza in 2003 while protecting the home of a Palestinian family – will open at Auckland’s Basement Theatre.

Kia Ora Gaza and Nocturne Theatre are joining forces to present a fundraising performance of The Forge at the Court production of My Name is Rachel Corrie on the evening of Saturday 18th September. 18,000 kilometres away, six Kiwis will be setting out on their way with the international convoy to deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza and break the inhumane Israeli siege. Supporters of Kia Ora Gaza will help to mark the occasion by attending this performance of My Name is Rachel Corrie.

The production comes to Auckland after critically acclaimed seasons in Wellington and Christchurch. Wellington-based Nocturne Theatre producer and performer Kate Prior is excited to be connecting with Kia Ora Gaza to present the September 18th fundraising performance.

“After first performing in The Forge at The Court Theatre production in Christchurch I knew I needed to tour the work and have Corrie’s words heard by more New Zealanders. I’m thrilled that, by a perfect coincidence of timing, I can perform this work for Auckland supporters of Kia Ora Gaza while their compatriots set out on their way to Rafah, the very area of the Gaza Strip that Rachel Corrie literally put her life into protecting,” said Ms Prior.

Grant Morgan, co-organiser of Kia Ora Gaza, said: "Rachel Corrie gave her life in Gaza while standing up for social justice against an oppressive colonizer, the state of Israel. Now Kia Ora Gaza's six-person Kiwi Team are joining a host of international volunteers who are facing real dangers to deliver blockaded aid to the suffering people of Gaza and break the illegal and immoral Israeli siege. It's very fitting that Kia Ora Gaza supporters help bring together the sacrifices of Rachel Corrie and our Kiwi Team by supporting Kate Prior's fine play. The special fund-raising performance on 18th September will help to finance our courageous Kiwis."

My Name is Rachel Corrie was first produced in 2005 by London’s Royal Court Theatre. Corrie’s diaries and e-mails were edited into a solo work for the stage by British actor and director Alan Rickman and Guardian journalist Katharine Viner. The production became the fastest-selling play in the theatre’s history.

Corrie’s name was given to one of the ships set to be in the Gaza freedom flotilla, which was attacked by the Israeli Defence Force on May 31st, leaving nine civilian aid workers killed. Manned by an Irish group, the MV Rachel Corrie set sail towards Gaza after the raid. The ship was seized by Israeli commandos and diverted towards Israel.

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MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE

KIA ORA GAZA FUNDRAISING PERFORMANCE

Saturday 18th September, 8pm

Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland

Tickets: $40

Book for special fund-raising performance by emailing Kia Ora Gaza's co-organiser Grant Morgan:

grantmorgan@paradise.net.nz

Nocturne Theatre presents

The Forge at The Court Theatre production of

MY NAME IS RACHEL CORRIE

AUCKLAND SEASON

17-25 September, 8pm

Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland

Tickets: $20/$15 (except Saturday 18th)

Book at www.iticket.co.nz or ph (09) 361 1000

Performer Kate Prior

Director Lara MacGregor

ends

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