Unitec Graduation Plays 2011

Unitec’s Department of Performing and Screen Arts presents a fantastic Quad Bill of four diverse plays from around the world; Radiance (Australia), Artaud at Rodez (France), The Water Engine (USA) and a new Kiwi/Polynesian romantic comedy, 4 the love of Losi (New Zealand).

Performed by Unitec’s graduating Year 3 acting class. Two plays will be presented as a Double Feature on each night during the season from 11-19 November. T...o see schedule and book tickets go to iTICKET.co.nz or call (09) 361 1000.

DOUBLE FEATURE A: (11, 14, 16, 18 Nov)

1. Radiance (A Stage Performance of the Screenplay)
By Louis Nowra
Directed by Anna Marbrook

Synopsis: With the death of their mother, two sisters (Nona and Cressy) return to their childhood home in Northern Australia where their third sister, Mae, lived looking after their mother. The funeral happens and the three find themselves together in the house for the first time in years. With time to talk, drink and fight, past hurts are revealed and family secrets come out.

2. 4 the love of Losi - A play about a player
By Danny Aumua
Directed by Shimpal Lelisi / Oscar Kightley- Dramaturg/Mentor

Synopsis: He's played the game and he's always won. He's manipulative, he's slick, but right now he's alone... and he doesn't like that feeling. Meet Losi, a young Auckland man amidst a low life crisis... a very low life at that. But he's willing to change his devious ways in order to discover true love... but with which chick? From all the booty calls on his three cell phones, the hundreds of babes’ on his four facebook profiles and his several girlfriends - he's nailed it down to the four young women that could possibly be his one love... But will he find what he's looking for?

DOUBLE FEATURE B: (12, 15, 17, 19 Nov)

3. Artaud at Rodez
By Charles Morowitz
Directed by Kacie Stetson

Synopsis: Antonin Artaud is probably the single greatest force on the contemporary stage. In this harrowing play, Charles Marowitz draws on exclusive material obtained from friends and confidantes, depicting a series of imaginary scenes based upon the true incidents of Artaud's life and his incarceration as a madman in the asylum at Rodez. Using Artaud's own Theatre of Cruelty techniques Marowitz tells, what is perhaps the cruelest story of all: the way in which society methodically destroys the maverick artist who attempts to defy it.

4. The Water Engine - An American Fable
By David Mamet
Directed by Jeff Szusterman

In a recording studio set in Chicago, September 1934, a company of actors assembles to tell the story of an inventor, Charles Lang, who - in chasing the American Dream for himself and his sister, Rita - attempts to patent his engine that runs on distilled water. Lang consults with an attorney, Morton Gross, who smells money - big money - once he sees the engine working. He introduces Lang to Lawrence Oberman who represents undisclosed, interested parties who want to buy Lang’s engine for their own ends - and will stop at nothing to get it. The American Dream turns into a thrilling American Nightmare with more twists and turns than a headless snake.