Devised theatre

Animal Hour

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An anarchic talent show featuring a live band on the prowl and humanity in the spotlight.
ABOUT THE PROJECT

An American Idol-style host puts three naïve contestants through a series of difficult and demeaning tasks in the name of live reality theatre, while competing for alpha-male dominance with a staunch live band (dressed in animal costumes and doubling as the judging panel). As the competition wears on, the challenges get more bizarre, the logic looser, and the rules more arbitrary. SImilarly to Drowning Bird, the structure is a collage, weaving together confessional spoken text, dance, music, and task-driven actions. We toured these two shows together as Elimination Rounds. The game that became Break Up started as part of this show.

Devised by the companyPerformed by Ralph Upton, Simon Haren, Rose Guise, Fiona McNamara, Jake Baxendale, Gareth Hobbs and Steph CairnsDirected by Joel BaxendaleProduced by Claire O'Loughlin

Wellington: Wellington Performing Arts Centre, 2009Wellington: BATS Theatre, 2010Auckland: The Basement, 2010

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"This is the kind of underground theatre that is at once the fount, the boundary and the acid test for the health of the wider arts community is lurks beneath. It's a good buzz. If you want some reassurance that theatre is a alive in Wellington, catch it while you can."

THEATREVIEW

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