New Ark-atypical stage production
Takaka FULL WORKSHOP FACILITIES SCAN TOOL WOF CARS, MOTORCYCLES, TRAILERS BRIDGESTONE AND KUMHO TYRES
PHONE 525 9419
The nine actors in rehearsal for the new production Ark-atypical directed by Martine Baanvinger. Photo: Anita Peters. ANITA PETERS
The upcoming production Ark-atypical, from local theatre director Martine Baanvinger, delves more deeply into the physical theatre approach than ever before. Martine has been excited to have a whole new cast of nine, mainly adult actors to work with, and while this co-created piece is still text-based, the whole performance is built up from techniques she has been training in for the past seven years. Physical theatre is a modern approach with its own language, emphasising physical movement for theatrical expression. It includes the Suzuki method, which develops body and voice awareness, and Viewpoint for spontaneity, intuition and creation. This was challenging for the actors, most of whom had not worked with Martine before. One actor, Chai James Pile, said: “But I found that it put me in touch with my body, my intuition in terms of tuning into the group, into the character.” The production’s intensive eight-week training course began in February, but was interrupted by another drama – Covid-19. Undeterred, the group continued with weekly online Zoom meetings to brainstorm ideas. “In a way it worked well for performance development because it really filled that process of creation of theme,” explained Martine. “Especially the main themes that came through: rites of passage, transformation, and archetypes; the dark and light sides, and a general feeling of honouring a hero’s journey.”
Actor Sage Forest added: “Thematically, the play is really influenced by Covid and will be recognisable as such 10 years from now.” After lockdown, the group finished training then went straight into rehearsals, using quick Viewpoint layering techniques to physically create scenes; firstly, with still frames, then moving frames, then adding text and finally improvising. Martine’s daughter Deva Baanvinger Singh, herself a seasoned actress, said she felt the layering technique added a lot more physical depth. For scriptwriter Rowena Dixon, who was involved since the beginning, the layers provided the inspiration to create text from. The storyline, set in the Middle Ages and rich with lyrical language, is a journey. “In a way it’s like a children’s story,” explains actor Jay Indik. “Like a village that breaks apart and tries to come together again.” With minimal sets but with the mix of young and adult actors using their new physical skills, and the usual technical support from Rowena Dixon, Colin Minney and Terry Langford, this is shaping up to be yet another unique and memorable experience for audiences. Ark-atypical - Village Theatre on Saturday 22 August, 7.30pm, Sunday 23 August, 1.30 matinee and 7.30pm. Tickets at Unlimited Copies (open Monday-Friday). Adult: $18/Youth $12.
Pakawau Beach Park Cabins + powered and non-powered camping - ph 524 8308
Camp Shop 8am to 6pm
Newspapers ● Ice ● Bread ● Milk ● Ice-creams....etc
WINE ● BEER ● DIESEL ● PETROL
Call/text Tristan Strange 027 515 5204 10+ years’ of local agricultural contracting experience Specialising in: * mowing * raking * tedding * round baling * square baling * cartage * 16-ton tip trailer
Contact Tristan to discuss your agricultural needs
THE GB WEEKLY, FRIDAY 14 AUGUST 2020
7