This week we are in Dunedin for the first time since "Drowning Bird, Plummeting Fish" in 2009. I am at my parents' house in Christchurch rehearsing "Future Guidance" by myself in the living room, ready to take over some shows from Joel. It feels weirdly like being 14 again rehearsing a Shakespeare monologue for school. Can't wait to have an audience... 

Here's an article we got a mention in last time.

-Ralph

OPEN WORKING REHEARSAL IN DUNEDIN, ALL WELCOME 
20th March, Community Gallery, 26 Princes Street, 6.00-7.30pm

Come and help make the show. For the Dunedin Future Guidance seminars, Joel is teaching co-creator Ralph how to deliver the seminar/perform the show for the first time. In this show, the audience plays a vital part, so come along, give us a hand, and maybe have a chat afterwards about what you did and saw! Special ticket deals available for those who turn up.

Thank you and low-frequency squeals to all our brave and wonderful whales (their names are here) and their rescuers (you know who you are). It's been a fantastic Fringe to be involved in, with awesome work being done all over the place.

Many thanks again to Hannah, Bri, Emma, and the whole wonderful team at Fringe. Also thanks to Clea at Thistle Hall, the people at Downstage, Circa, BATS, Ferg's Kayaks, and of course the ever-generous Victoria University Theatre Programme and Creative New Zealand.

Awards and nominations were:

For Your Future Guidance: Nominated, CNZ Innovation Award
Beep Test* (*Don't Asterisk, Don't Tell): Nominated, CNZ Innovation Award
The Whales: Winner, CNZ Innovation Award; Winner, Best Outdoor; Winner, Best in Fringe

In Auckland, For Your Future Guidance was (we think) nominated for something. So yay.

It is really great to get the award for Whales, because when we did the show that they escaped from, This Rugged Beauty, in 2011, there were no Fringe awards. This Rugged Beauty will be back soon, and so will the whales.

The team behind these three shows was was Joel Baxendale, Simon Haren, Claire O'Loughlin, Isobel Mackinnon, Fiona McNamara and Ralph Upton, with Nick Zwart a vital collaborator and co-creator on Beep Test*, and Rachel Baker and Jen McArthur last minute additions to The Whales.

Next up, For Your Future Guidance goes to Dunedin.You can book now.

Here's that short video again:

Beep Test* (*insert tagline here) is our Fringe finale, and it's sweaty, spirited and outrageous. The running is optional for everyone except for Simon and Izzy. See it early before they die. 

Beep Test* is on this Wednesday-Saturday, 9.00pm, Thistle Hall (top of Cuba Street by the bypass). First beer is free if you're a Victoria Theatre student. 
 
John Smythe's review of Monday's performance is here 

BOOK HERE