Downstage presents The Intricate Art of Actually Caring

Downstage & The Playground Collective present
The Intricate Art of Actually Caring
by Eli Kent
Last chance to see a true original

In 2009 The PlayGround Collective with Eli Kent created a play and performed it in his bedroom to 15 people at a time. Downstage director, Hilary Beaton, thought it was one of the impressive pieces of writing she’d seen in a long time. Shee wasn’t alone.

The Intricate Art of Actually Caring went on to win multiple awards and writer, Eli Kent, received both the 2010 Bruce Mason Playwriting Award and a 2011 Arts Foundation New Generation Award. It was considered the arrival of a major new voice in New Zealand theatre.

After follow up seasons in Wellington , including Downstage, as part of the 2009 Pick of the Fringe, The PlayGround Collective hit the road, taking the show to the rest of New Zealand. Seasons in Auckland, Hamilton, Christchurch and Dunedin followed, with enthusiastic reviewers and audiences adding to the growing buzz around a show being hailed as a contemporary Kiwi classic.

This semi-autobiographical work (Eli Kent & Jack Shadbolt play ‘Eli’ & ‘Jack’) tells the story of a road trip that becomes an escape, a pilgrimage and a quest. Two young men head out of town after the seemingly pointless death of a friend. They’re looking for meaning – for something to care about in a world that seems suddenly trivial. It’s a search that seems to resonate with all ages.

The play has drawn comparisons to everything from On the Road and Waiting for Godot to Goodbye Pork Pie and even Thelma and Louise. The script mixes authentic young male riffing on movies and girls with the excerpts from the greats of New Zealand poetry including James K. Baxter, Hone Tuwhare, Sam Hunt – plus original poetry from Kent himself.

Downstage has long wanted to present The Intricate Art of Actually Caring in a mainbill season. Director/CEO Hilary Beaton says:

“Now fine-tuned by extensive touring, the production has transformed from rough diamond to polished gem. I believe the play will become a landmark New Zealand work, and as such fully deserves a place among the iconic productions Downstage has presented over our long history. We’re very proud to partner with The PlayGround Collective and are delighted that partnership will continue through our Resident Company Programme. We can’t wait to be a part of the development of this talented creative team.”

This will be the last chance for Wellingtonians to seethis acclaimed play as the team heads off on one last New Zealand tour. Now in their mid-twenties, Eli & Jack feel they’ll soon be a little old to play their alter–egos! We believe, a a Kiwi classic, other productions will follow by future generations of artists.(Season & contact details on page 2)

The way Downstage works is simple. It’s about making things better.
Our audience gets better experiences by connecting with work made right here, right now. The artists get better through the power of our partnership. New Zealand arts and culture gets better as we enable sustainability in the industry and a development pathway for our artwork.

The Intricate Art of Actually Caring
By Eli Kent

Cast
Eli Kent
Jack Shadbolt

Directed by
Eleanor Bishop

Designed by
Erin Banks: (set)
Heleyni Pratley: (set)
Rachel Marlow: (lighting)
Gareth Hobbs: (sound)

Downstage Season Dates
Season Dates: 24 May – 2 June 2012
Public preview: 24 May
Meet the Artists: 29 May
Showtimes: Tuesday - Wednesday 6.30pm
Thursday - Saturday 8pm
(no shows Mon)
Matinee: Sat 2 June, Sun 3 June 4pm
Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage’s box office.
For up-to-date information visit www.downstage.co.nz

ENDS

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