Blood ties

Set in the west coast of the South Island, Strata tells the story of brothers Angus and Mo.

First performed in September 2003, Strata opened to critical appraise and won the Chapman Tripp Theatre Award for Most Original Production, Outstanding New Playwright - Kirk Torrance (Stickman, Fishskin Suit, Shortland Street, Duggan, Maataku), and Most promising New Director - Tim Spite.

Set in the late 1800s on the rugged west coast of the South Island, Strata is the story of brothers Angus and Mo.

In a relationship reminiscent of Steinbeck's Of Mice and Men, Mo is a simple man of immense physical strength, whereas his younger brother Angus is the more quick-witted of the two. Angus has become Mo's provider, protector and only friend, and lures Mo into mining with the promise of earning enough money to get back home. Now working as strike breakers in the union stronghold of the west coast, all Mo wants is to feel the sun on his back instead of 1000ft of earth.

Into the pit comes Pushy, their trucker, a Welshman who is not what he seems, offering Mo the possibility of independence and hope in the face of tragedy.

"The idea for Strata grew out of a writers group that I belong to called Writers Block," says playwright Kirk Torrance. "It is run by one of New Zealand's pre-eminent playwrights, Hone Kouka, in conjunction with Taki Rua Productions. Hone and Taki Rua Productions saw the need to develop New Zealand playwrights and devised a plan to guide interested theatre practitioners into writing and staging their own shows."


* What: Strata


* Who: By Kirk Torrance. Director, Tim Spite.


* When: Friday, February 25, 7.30pm


Saturday, February 26, 7.30pm


Sunday, February 27, 6.30pm


Monday, February 28, 6.30pm


Tuesday, March 1, 7.30pm


Wednesday, March 2, 7.30pm


* Where: Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre