One Man & His Dog Arrive At The Basement

Media Release: For Immediate Release:

One Man & His Dog Arrive At The Basement

Portable Union Presents
ONE DAY MOKO

Created and performed by Tim Carlsen
Directed by Sophie Roberts.

After two years in development and input from one of the most celebrated theatre companies in the United States Tim Carlsen’s debut play “One Day Moko” will take Auckland audiences into the unvarnished world of the homeless living in urban New Zealand on June 28th.

Meet Moko. He lives under a by-pass. His life fits in a trolley. Shunting along streets around town – he is a known sight. Eat, sleep, work, play- he’s got things to do and places to be. If you toured in Moko’s world, his haunts, his secret places, the known bridges or quiet benches – would you find this normal?

One Day Moko explores isolation, opportunity and routine – investigating how these qualities shape our everyday lives. Depicted through the cheeky, charming and churlish character of Moko: the homeless protagonist, and his interactions with a number of rich and diverse characters and environments – all met through a television screen.

24 year-old Carlsen began developing One Day Moko at Toi Whakaari the New Zealand National Drama school two years ago. During this time he worked In New York City with the acclaimed theatre company The Wooster Group, whose alumni and members include heavy hitters Steve Buscemi and Willem Defoe. Carlsen garnered not only support but also invaluable advice: “Performing parts of the show via Skype to the entire company was a highlight in the show’s development – from Wellington to New York City”.

Research for the show included working as a volunteer at organizations such as Catacombs Drop-in and The Compassion Soup Kitchen (Wellington) and the Auckland City Mission. From homeless football games to participating in the Mission drama group, Carlsen was able to get an insight into the NZ homeless lifestyle and developed ties with a large range of homeless clients.

“It was the simple things - cooking instant noodles, making cups of tea and watching T.V with a range of people that made me consider my own routine in life… and how this revealed universal habits that all human beings share”.

Also on board is Award winning Director Sophie Roberts the co-Artistic Director of Almost a Bird Theatre Company, who in her short career has already garnished two Chapman Tripp Theatre awards.

Tim will also star back to back for the rest of the year in Silo’s Theatre Companies I Love You Bro and their production of Tartuffe, as well as Auckland Theatre Company’s End of the Golden Weather. Get used to seeing all the different faces of Auckland Theatre’s newest rising talent.

With its unique incorporation of technology One Day Moko is a visceral experience that will instigate recognition, reflection and debate among those who see it. One Day Moko is a raw and inspirational story, not retreating from provocation, but demonstrating we all have a vagrant within.

“Clearly well researched, this unvarnished portrayal of homelessness is profoundly affecting…insightful”
John Smythe - Theatreview.

“Tim, understands himself as an artist and will be able to apply his experiences with us to his craft…. he acted with the utmost integrity in all of his work with us”.
-Kaneza Schaal - The Wooster Group.

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