From the 5th

11 February 2015

Cast announced for THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING at Auckland Arts Festival 2015

14 March – 22 March 2015
Rangatira, Q Theatre

Mia Blake, Tim Carlsen, Sam Snedden and Jennifer Ward-Lealand join Michelle Blundell, Patrick Carroll, Rima Te Wiata and Olivia Tennet to complete the heavyweight cast announced for The Book Of Everything, a major new co-production from the Auckland Arts Festival and Silo Theatre.

An adaptation of the classic children’s novel by Guus Kuijer, The Book of Everything tells the story of nine-year-old Thomas Klopper.

It’s 1951, and to escape an unhappy household and a violent father, Thomas creates a magical world where anything is possible – odd encounters with Jesus, friendship with the witch next door and falling in love for the very first time. Eventually he starts to learn how to be brave.

Directed by Silo Theatre’s new artistic director, Sophie Roberts, The Book of Everything features a roll call of some of the best local acting talent, from fresh new faces to veterans of New Zealand stage and screen.

Making his professional theatre debut, Patrick Carroll plays Thomas, the hero of the story. Carroll is a  2014 graduate of Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.

Thomas’ Mother is brought to life by award-winning actress Mia Blake (The Tattooist; No. 2). Blake starred in last year’s epic two-part theatre saga, Angels in America.

Popular Auckland stage actor Sam Snedden (The Blind Date Project, Once On Chunuk Bair, Private Lives) plays Thomas’ strict and conflicted Father.

Last seen in the New Zealand Film Award-winning drama, Consent: The Louise Nicholas Story, Michelle Blundell plays Thomas’ love interest, Eliza with the Leather Leg;  while Olivia Tennet (360: A Theatre of Recollections)is Thomas’ sister Margot.

After a critically acclaimed season of his show One Day Moko,Tim Carlsen (Once On Chunuk Bair, Tartuffe) joins The Book of Everything cast to play the role of Jesus.

Rounding out this exciting ensemble are two of New Zealand’s most revered actors. Last seen in the hit New Zealand horror film Housebound, Rima Te Wiata playsMrs. Van Amersfoort, Thomas’ mysterious next-door neighbour who happens to be a witch. Joining Rima is fellow veteran of stage and screen Jennifer Ward-Lealand (BREL, The Heretic, Auckland Daze), as the eccentric Auntie Pie.

Hilarious, honest and beautifully rendered. I walked out with my heart singing.” - theguardian.com

The Book of Everything

An Auckland Arts Festival and Silo Theatre co-production.

Adapted by Richard Tulloch from the novel by Guus Kuijer

Director - Sophie Roberts

Set design -  John Verryt

Costume design  -  Kirsty Cameron

Lighting design  - Sean Lynch

Sound design – Thomas Press

 

About Auckland Arts Festival 2015:

Auckland Arts Festival (4 – 22 March) is Auckland’s premier festival of New Zealand and international arts. The globally recognised event celebrates people and culture, and showcases the unrivalled location, cultural diversity and vibrant energy of New Zealand’s largest city.

Auckland Arts Festival 2015 will be the seventh biennial Festival since 2003.

Nearly 1.2 million people have attended the Festivals to date.

From 2016 the Festival will become an annual event.

For nineteen days, in dozens of venues across Auckland, more than 100 world class shows, exhibitions and performers - both local and international – will astound, entertain and delight arts fanatics and Festival first-timers alike.

 

About Silo Theatre:

Silo Theatre is Auckland’s leading producer of contemporary theatre.

They create bold work: showcasing energetic and uncompromising performance.  They’re epic in scale, with no embargo on either ambition or artistic risk. They deliver cutting-edge next generation storytelling from around the world and New Zealand. They're global in their outlook - speaking to contemporary concerns, dealing with human, emotional and sexual politics.

 

 

www.aaf.co.nz

 

SEASON DETAILS

Show

The Book Of Everything

Where

Rangatira, Q Theatre

When

Saturday 14 March – Sunday 15 March, 1.00pm & 6.00pm

Tuesday 17 March – Friday 20 March,  6.00pm

Saturday 21 March,  1.00pm & 6.00pm

Sunday 22 March, 12.00pm & 5.00pm

Duration

2 hrs including 15 mins interval

Price

A Res $49.00

Friends/Conc $42.00

A Res Child $20.00

B Res $39.00

B Res Friend/Conc/Group $32.00

B Res Child $15.00

Bookings

Book at Ticketmaster outlets: www.ticketmaster.co.nz/ P: 09 970 9700 or 0800 111 999

Q Theatre: www.qtheatre.co.nz P:09 309 9771

Information

www.aaf.co.nz

Social Media

Facebook: facebook.com/Aklfestival

Twitter: @Aklfestival

Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DoTLR9eurpA

Media enquiries

Meredith McGrath, Publicist

P: +64 (0)9 3740317 M:+64 (0)27 4473247 E: Meredith.mcgrath@aaf.co.nz

 *Recommended for ages 9+

With support from Creative New Zealand

Auckland Arts Festival receives core funding from Auckland Council.