Capital E NTFC Announces 2012 Line-Up

Capital E National Theatre for Children proudly announces its 2012 programme of new work for young audiences.

From the pen of admired New Zealand author, Jenny Pattrick, comes Around the World and Buck Again... yes you read it right… Buck again! Sheep dog Buck has been crowned World Sheep Dog Champion and upon his return to New Zealand is put into quarantine. Here he meets immigrating British Bulldog Horatio, French Poodle Fifi and a Mexican Chihuahua named Delores Del Mar. But Dolores has a secret that mustn’t be found out… Buck smells a rat! This comic canine caper for ages 2 – 7 will premiere in Wellington in April, before touring 20 centres around the country until November 2012.

Hold your breath – you’re arriving at Magnolia Street. Jake is a recent arrival to an inner city street full of oddballs and Mrs Booth, an elderly lady, is the biggest oddball of all! As an unlikely friendship is forged, a surprising side to the street unfolds. Featuring the unique talents of director and digital puppetry expert Frank Newman, from Australia’s Terrapin Puppet Theatre, combined with the local talent of playwright Dave Armstrong, this heart-warming work explores the importance of place and our connectedness to each other. Magnolia Street will premiere at Downstage Theatre in July for children aged 8 – 14 before touring to 12 centres nationally.

The company will also premiere Ivy by Jennifer Martin.  Ivy is a cleaner in a museum, who we meet in her basement hideaway, where she has gathered a vast collection of treasures over the years. Not least of which is her time travelling cleaner’s cart. A madcap adventure ensues taking us back through time in an attempt to save the dinosaurs from certain extinction. With a cinematic score from Gareth Farr, this magical journey through history is set to be a winner with children of all ages.

 2012 will mark Capital E National Theatre for Children’s 15th year of delivering award winning professional theatre for young people across Aotearoa, and with three new New Zealand works demonstrates the company’s commitment to developing productions with a unique New Zealand voice.