An Affair Of The Art

Media Release – For Immediate Release

An Affair Of The Art

STAMP at THE EDGE and Armstrong Creative present:

RITA AND DOUGLAS

Written by Dave Armstrong. Directed by Conrad Newport. With Jennifer Ward-Lealand and music performed by Michael Houstoun Biographical and image adviser: Jill Trevelyan.

Art, classical music and theatre combine to deliver a deeply intense and highly unusual love story that lies in the heart of New Zealand’s cultural history. The love letters between Rita Angus and Douglas Lilburn have been adapted by playwriting dynamo Dave Armstrong as Rita and Douglas marks its Auckland debut from November 22nd, after successful performances at festivals around New Zealand.

Rita Angus and Douglas Lilburn met in the early 1940s. The recently divorced painter and the young composer had a brief but passionate affair. Living in virtual poverty and struggling with health issues, Rita Angus went on to produce, with Lilburn’s support, a stunning body of work. Rita and Douglas combines Angus’ images, and her own words from her letters to Lilburn…

An encounter between the two in Wellington in 1942 took the pair on a whirlwind romance - the highs - incredibly high, and the lows, particularly one such low - harrowing. Through this however, despite their conflicting lives, the letters Rita would write to her former lover still show the strong sentiments both had for each other; despite everything the couple went through...

Angus and Lilburn were part of the large creative upturn seen in New Zealand in the middle of the twentieth century – including the likes of Allen Curnow, Denis Glover and Alistair Campbell. Where Lilburn ventured to London to learn under the tutelage of esteemed British composer Ralph Vaughan Williams and became a pioneer by founding Victoria University’s electronic music studio (the first in Australasia), Angus became synonymous with bringing the diverse landscapes of New Zealand to the international forefront.

Combining the images of Angus and the music of Lilburn, Rita and Douglas brings together two of New Zealand’s most consummate performers. Jennifer Ward-Lealand, hallowed for her theatre roles and her cabaret performances of Marlene Dietrich’s works in Falling In Love Again, brings Angus’ words to life during this production as celebrated concert pianist Michael Houstoun (2007 Arts Foundation of New Zealand laureate, Turnovsky Prize winner 1982) plays a selection of works from the classic composer. Houstoun has a particular regard for this work, given his fierce advocacy of Lilburn’s works in his programmes.

Adapting the letters into this production is one of New Zealand’s latter day creative leaders; Dave Armstrong has captivated audiences not merely in this country, but taken a slice of Aotearoa to the international stage. His play Niu Sila (co-written by Oscar Kightley) has been performed in Cambridge and London and along with The Tutor has been published by Playmarket. A three time Chapman Tripp Theatre Award winner, Armstrong’s adaptation of works has also included Dicken’s The Christmas Carol, Margaret Mahy’s Singing Bus Queue and Sia Figiels novel where we once belonged.

“Rita and Douglas is a poignant tribute to two of New Zealand's cultural icons” - Otago Daily Times

RITA AND DOUGLAS

22nd – 26th November, Tues-Thurs 7pm; Fri & Sat 8pm

Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, THE EDGE

$39.90 - $44.90 (booking fees will apply)
Tickets available through THE EDGE – 0800 BUY TICKETS or www.buytickets.co.nz

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