The New Performance Festival, to be held in Auckland from February 17-25, aims to push boundaries with an eight-day selection of local and international works that "transcend the gaps of artistic convention".
Combining art, theatre, dance, and music artists, the programme will be presented in venues around central Auckland (including on the Aotea Centre roof), and will include premiere performances from four esteemed Kiwi artists.
Recently returned from North American and European tours, performance artist Josh Rutter presents a poignant and comedic comment on male identity. Alexa Wilson's Show Pony satirises the world of talk show, television, celebrity 'cult' culture and public therapy through the lens of innovative performance, teaming up with former Shortland Street actress Nisha Madhan.
Wellington theatre company A Slightly Isolated Dog Ltd came up with the festival's most intriguing title, Vague Meditations and the Irresponsible Use of a Time Machine, for their latest collaborative effort. A mix of discussion and performance, they invite audiences to upload audio, video and stills, melding social networking and new media into imaginative worlds. And Dunedin's Talking House productions will be doing something intriguing too, using MP3 players to become "avatars" as they re-enact conversations, in a sort of "documentary theatre" piece.
See npfestival.co.nz for information on the whole programme.
