Constellations by Nick Payne is an award-winning play about free will
and friendship, quantum multiverse theory, love and honey. The NZ Premiere
opens at Circa Theatre in just one week on Saturday 26th July and runs until 23
August.
Actors Erin Banks and Richard Dey and Director Rachel Lenart share
some insights on the production.
ACTOR ERIN BANKS
Constellations is one of those plays that is full of all sorts of
allusions and metaphors: stars, bees, quantum physics, multiple universes. All
this amazing material, while a fantastic springboard for making theatre, has
also created a fertile breeding ground for puns. So much so that we have established a 'Pun
Jar' in our rehearsal room instead of the usual 'Swear Jar'. So every time someone says they have 'friends
in hive places' or that we should 'shoot for the stars in this scene' they can
expect to be fined anywhere from 20 cents to a dollar (depending on how
successful the pun is judged to be).
ACTOR RICHARD DEY
It feels so satisfying to finally be putting the script of
Constellations on its feet, as it has been close to two years since first
discovering it and wanting to put it on. It is meditative, passionate, simple
storytelling wrapped in an intelligent, complex structure. The likes of which I
have never seen before. I have never been in a two-hander before and the
challenge of being constantly present and engaged as an actor with my cast mate
has been incredibly satisfying. I have also been given the privilege to learn
about all things BEES. The great architects/scientists/dancers of our time. I
have read my share of books (The Bees by Laline Paull is a must read!) and
enjoyed the practical experience of inspecting a live hive, even managing to
see the Queen. Gaining this knowledge has been a buzz (20c) and sharing the
play will be a joy as it is universally (20c) accessible. Can't wait to see you
there!
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| Richard Dey during his day as acting beekeeper. |
DIRECTOR RACHEL LENART
There
are so many things about this project that make me want to jump around in
excitement. The script is the richest and most exciting I've come across in
years in its scope, its depth and even its very structure and
exploring it has been a real privilege. Its a play where the everyday becomes
profound in its simplicity and manages to find the very essence of what it is
to be a human being. And this is only one of its many layers.
The
collaboration with Richard, Erin and the designers has been a real treat.
Everyone has come to the work with their own reading and ideas but
consolidating this vision has been a surprisingly organic process. The work has
a voice of its own that no one entirely controls, but everyone can hear, see on
the edge of perception and our work together is pulling it into being. A fusion
of elements (20 cents). The talents and perspectives brought by every single
person on board is making the process so rewarding and full of pleasure.
As
we head from the rehearsal room into the theatre next week, I am only a little
daunted by the enormity of what waits for us in the cue lists, mostly I am
bursting to see the final pieces of our puzzle fit together. Can't wait to open
on Saturday with a big bang (20 cents).
BOOK NOW 801 7992 / www.circa.co.nz - CONSTELLATIONS, A MUST SEE IN THIS
EXISTING UNIVERSE. $25 DISCOUNT TICKETS FRIDAY 25TH &
SUNDAY 27TH JULY
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