ORANGE hits the stage in Auckland

The Young And The Stiff

ORANGE hits the stage in Auckland

A close to unique theatre experience is about to hit Auckland.

It’s called ORANGE, and the reason it’s so artistically special is that it’s about young people living with arthritis, and it is performed by… young people living with arthritis.

This means that it’s about actors who, to an extent, are playing themselves, which is one of the most authentic and truly engaging forms of live theatre.

It’s not hand-wringing. But it IS heart rending.

Far from being about sufferers, it’s about heroes.

The heroes are five young people aged between 19 and 28.

Each lives with arthritis. But each wants to claw his or her way to a mythical “top-of-the-world” to prove that living with the pain and physical restrictions of the condition can be overcome provided the person has a positive attitude and is determined.

The play was written by well known actress, director and playwright Geraldine Brophy, an ambassador for Arthritis New Zealand. It’s not just a stage play in the old meaning of the term. There is music, humour and poetry in abundance.

It was first performed at Wellington’s Gryphon Theatre in 2014 and received overwhelming reviews. So, many of the original troupe have come back together to give the play another whirl, this time in Auckland. Given the larger population, there will be three performances. They will be staged at the TAPAC Performing Arts Centre in November.

ORANGE , the name of the production, is the colour of Arthritis New Zealand The colour orange is associated with optimism and positivity, rejuvenating us in the most difficult moments which is fitting for the organisation and the ORANGE production There are 140 forms of arthritis and 620,000 people in New Zealand live with one of these conditions.

Some of these are young people, just like the ones that are bringing the production ORANGE to the stage.

Arthritis New Zealand has been offering advice, education and support to those living with these conditions for 50 years.

For tickets

https://nz.patronbase.com/_TAPAC/Productions/OR1/Performances

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