Play is sure to make viewers laugh and cry

ACCIDENTAL HERO: Nick Chisholm, centre, with the All Blacks at Carisbrook ahead of a 2008 test against South Africa. Nick was injured playing rugby and his story inspired the one-woman play Nick: An Accidental Hero, which is to be staged at Kuranui College in October as part of the Kokomai Creative Festival. PHOTO/FILE

Kuranui College is to stage Renee Lyons' inspirational one-woman play Nick: An Accidental Hero.

The play will be performed at the school on October 20 and 21 in partnership with the Kokomai Creative Festival Wairarapa and PGG Wrightson, says Kuranui College spokeswoman Catherine Rossiter-Stead.

Lyons will take the audience "through an incredible journey", Mrs Rossiter-Stead said, as she weaves together 12 years of a young man's life, and the lives of those around him, by performing all the main characters in his story in just an hour.

The play will be limited to 200 tickets "as the Kuranui auditorium provides an intimate backdrop for a very special show", she said.

Nick: An Accidental Hero is the story of Nick Chisholm, an adrenaline-fuelled young Kiwi from Dunedin, who took to the rugby pitch one day and suffered a series of cerebral strokes that locked him in his body. "Although no longer able to move, speak or even eat without a tube, Nick is still all there, he's mentally active, frustrated and very angry. He could have given up, but he didn't, he took his body through a gruelling gym routine that would have most able-bodied rugby players reeling."

Lyons wrote the play after coming across Nick's story on the internet and it would have been easy to write a sentimental piece of drama, but this is a far more clever piece of work.

"Although the subject matter is serious, there are many comedy moments during her performance, as the show can't help but make you cry and laugh out loud."

Directed by Abigail Greenwood, and with creative lighting from Jane Hakaraia and sound design from Alistair Deverick, the show has already graced theatres in Wellington and Auckland and was also performed at this month's Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

Kuranui College principal Geoff Shepherd is delighted the college has the opportunity to present the play.

"Nick's story teaches us all a little something about endurance, perseverance and a love for life and Renee's performances will give our drama students something to aspire to."

Nick: An Accidental Hero plays on October 20 and 21. Tickets will be available from September 5 through Dash tickets and at www.kokomai.co.nz.