Rotorua's inaugural Fringe Festival has started with a bang, with the first show being performed to a sold-out crowd.
The final performance of Rauru, the two-woman show which started the festival on Saturday, is on tonight. It's set at a nana's house on the week of koro's tangihanga as all the family comes together, co-creator Cian Gardner said.
"The two of us explore that by playing different roles."
Co-creator Karina Nathan said the play looked at the different roles people took on in life.
Gardner said they were eager to support the kaupapa of the Fringe Festival and help get New Zealand voices and stories on stage.
They were also looking forward to giving people a chance to see works in progress at the Pop-Up Shop on Eruera St.
"We're trying to promote opportunities for people to see work in progress as well by showing our process of creating new stuff and brainstorming things we're working on at the moment.
"It's not just about the finished product but also giving, especially youth, a chance to see what it takes to put on a show."
Project Leader Alex Lodge said the opening night of
Rauru
attracted both regular theatre-goers and first-timers.
"Everyone seemed to love the show and connect with it and people stuck around after to have a chat with the actors."
The week to come features shows and events at the Pop-Up Shop including screen printing demonstrations and storytelling.
"We hope there's a connection between seeing people at work and feeling inspired to create your own," she said.
"We want to make people in Rotorua feel like we know there's an audience for excellent theatre and potential to be making excellent art ... We know the potential is there we want to give them a place to see how achievable it is."
To see what's on find Rotorua Fringe Festival on Facebook.
The schedule
Monday 11am: Rauru at the Pop-Up Shop
Monday 8pm: Rauru at Shambles Theatre
Tuesday 7pm: Play On play reading at Pop-Up Shop
Wednesday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop
Wednesday 6pm: Ki Tua o Taharangi at Koutu Marae
Wednesday 7pm: Weave at Shambles Theatre
Wednesday 7pm: L'Homme De Boue at Rotorua Boys' High School
Thursday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop
Thursday 5pm to 9pm: Harmonic Resonators at Rotorua Night Market
Thursday 7pm: Weave at Shambles Theatre
Thursday 9pm: Deacon at Shambles Theatre
Friday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop
Friday 9pm: Deacon at Shambles Theatre
Saturday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop
Saturday 1pm and 5.30pm: Biggest Little Circus at Te Manawa
More than 50,000 watch live as the viral sensation travels through Rotorua.