Neil Oliver, the acclaimed archaeologist, historian, author and presenter of the worldwide hit TV series Coast, is set to perform at Auckland Town Hall and Wellington’s St James Theatre this January.
Audiences will enjoy an intimate evening as Oliver brings British and New Zealand history to life, delving into the stories, facts and revelations of the geography, history, people and marine life from his travels around our nation’s 16,000-kilometre coastline.
Oliver is one of the world’s most compelling TV presenters, popularising history programming with stories of heroic figures and everyday lives from the past. A respected broadcaster, Neil is the presenter of Coast, the UK series which explores the natural and social history of the British coastline, and Coast New Zealand which is now filming its third series for TVNZ One which will air in 2018.
Trained as an archaeologist and journalist, Oliver made his television debut in the BBC’sTwo Men in a Trench which featured Neil and close friend Tony Pollard visiting historic battlefields and recreating the battle situations using state of the art archaeological techniques. His shows A History of Scotland, followed by A History of Ancient Britain, A History of Celtic Britain and Vikings have seen him delving into Britain’s historic past to tell the amazing stories of the technical, cultural and political revolutions which shaped Britain. In Coast New Zealand Oliver travelled the length and breadth of New Zealand showing audiences around the world the picturesque beauty and fascinating history of Aotearoa.
NEIL OLIVER: Live on Stage is proudly presented by Auckland Live, Venues Wellington and BBC Worldwide Australia and New Zealand.
Oliver is an immensely popular presenter who has a knack for making dry facts and stories sizzle and glisten. The Sunday Times, UK
Tickets for NEIL OLIVER: Live on Stage can be purchased from Ticketmaster.co.nz or 0800 111 999
AUCKLAND
Wednesday 17th January at 7pm
Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall
Auckland Live pre-sale from 12pm (midday) Monday 4th December
Ticketmaster pre-sale from 3pm Monday 4th December
General On Sale from 9am Tuesday 5th December
www.aucklandlive.co.nz
WELLINGTON
Thursday 18th January at 7:30pm
St James Theatre
Venues Wellington pre-sale from 12pm (midday) Monday 4th December
Ticketmaster pre-sale from 3pm Monday 4th December
General On Sale from 9am Tuesday 5th December
www.wellingtonnz.com
To download high res images of Neil please click HERE
RONNY CHIENG, ROSE MATAFEO AND PAUL FOOT TO HEADLINE THE BRAND NEW COMEDY CENTRAL PRESENTS ‘ANOTHER FRICKIN’ FESTIVAL’
Auckland, Queenstown and Wellington have nothing to offer… except for spectacular sights and sounds (maybe not Auckland… except for that tower). And now we’re offering even more sight and sound… via a brand new frickin’ festival… yes another festival… Another Frickin’ Festival.
You’ve heard the saying, if you didn’t laugh, you’d die. So secure your tickets to NZ’s brand-new comedy festival ‘Another Frickin’ Festival’ presented by Comedy Central hitting Queenstown, Auckland and Wellington February 2018.
Kicking off with a gala showcase in Auckland at the ASB Theatre on February 8th, audiences will be treated to sidesplitting sets from a stellar line up of local and international comedians including Ronny Chieng (The Daily Show), Rose Matafeo (Funny Girls), Paul Foot (Never Mind the Buzzcocks) and Guy Williams (Jono and Ben) plus many more.
Post Auckland, the festival will head to spectacular Queenstown playing venues across town: February 9th and 10th before wrapping up in Wellington at the Opera House on February 11th. (No Opera will be held on this date, just comedy.)
Tickets for Another Frickin’ Festival will be on sale from November 2nd. Check out the festivals full line up below and for more info head to comedycentral.co.nz
ANOTHER FRICKING FESTIVAL – FULL LINE UP
Alice Snedden - Funny Girls, Jono and Ben (Three)
Angella Dravid - Jono and Ben (Three)
Guy Montgomery - Fail Army, The Worst Idea of All Time
Guy Williams - The Guy Williams Show (Three)
Mel Bracewell - The Project NZ (Three)
Paul Foot (UK) - Never Mind The Buzzcocks
Ray Badran (AUS) - No Experience Necessary (Comedy Central)
Ronny Chieng (MAL/US) - The Daily Show (Comedy Central)
Rose Matafeo - Funny Girls (Three)
Sam Campbell (AUS) - Nippers (Comedy Central)
Two Hearts (Laura Daniels and Joseph Moore) - Jono and Ben (Three)
INCUBUS TO PLAY AUCKLAND AND CHRISTCHURCH THIS MARCH!
In 2018 INCUBUS will return to New Zealand for the first time in six years to play two shows in Auckland and Christchurch. These shows will be the first chance for fans to hear new tracks like ‘Nimble Bastard’ and ‘Glitterbomb’ from their aptly titled eighth studio album, 8. As well as a plethora of hits from their expansive back catalogue spanning the past 20 years.
Tickets go on sale at 2pm this Friday, October 27.
Spark Thanks is bringing an exciting pre-sale just for Spark customers from 12pm Wednesday, October 25 until 12pm Friday, October 27.
For complete tour and ticketing details, visit: livenation.co.nz.
Since 1991, the iconic multiplatinum Los Angeles rock band have sold in excess of 23 million albums worldwide thanks to their uncanny knack of writing instant radio hits, landing four Top 5 debuts on the Billboard Top 200 and one #1 album.
A spontaneous approach to their set lists, high-octane performances, and a consistently great live show has allowed these sonic chameleons to continuously genre hop, leading them to share stages with everyone from Linkin Park, and OutKast, to Moby, Jane’s Addiction, Queens of the Stone Age and let’s not forget this past August when longtime fan, Solange Knowles joined them on stage in New Orleans to sing ‘Aqueous Transmission'!
Building a diverse fan base around the globe who are drawn to the unpredictable, powerhouse experience of their live show.
“Incubus were easily one of the highlights of the weekend, with Brandon Boyd being one hypnotic motherf*cker.” Monster Children
SPARK ARENA, AUCKLAND SUNDAY MARCH 4
HORNCASTLE ARENA, CHRISTCHURCH WEDNESDAY MARCH 7
TICKETS ON SALE 2PM FRIDAY OCTOBER 27
Spark Thanks pre-sale: 12pm October 25 until 12pm October 27
For complete tour and ticket information, visit: www.incubushq.com & www.livenation.co.nz
For high res images please click HERE:
About Live Nation Entertainment
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
JACK JOHNSON RETURNS TO NZ FOR A ONE OFF SHOW THIS DECEMBER
SUNDAY SEPTEMBER 3, 2017 - JACK JOHNSON and his band return this summer playing all your favourite songs outdoors, under the stars, touring in support of his forthcoming studio album, All The Light Above It Too.
Last here in 2013, Summer Tour will see Johnson performing one New Zealand show only, outdoors at Villa Maria Estate, Auckland, on Sunday December 10.
Playing to 270,000 fans across 19 shows on his recent North American trek, fans can expect to hear plenty of classic Jack including ‘Better Together’, ‘Flake’, ‘Banana Pancakes’, ‘Taylor’, ‘Sitting, Waiting, Wishing’ and more, plus songs from the new album.
Joining Jack Johnson will be special guests The Black Seeds and his own Brushfire Records labelmate, Bahamas.
Tickets go on sale at 2pm Monday, September 11.
Spark is bringing an exciting pre-sale just for Spark customers from midday Wednesday, September 6 until midday Friday, September 8.
My Live Nation members can also be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale commencing at 1pm Friday, September 8.
For complete tour and ticketing details, including a special ticket + album bundle, visit:livenation.co.nz.
Jack Johnson’s songwriting over the years has been a rare balance of quiet introspection and thoughtful observation. Born and raised in Hawaii where he grew up surfing and playing guitar, Johnson released his debut album Brushfire Fairytales in 2001. Since then he has released another six studio and two live albums that have sold in excess of 25 million copies worldwide. In New Zealand he has sold more than 270,000 albums and had six albums at #1 including 2005’s hit, In Between Dreams.
All The Light Above It Too is the seventh studio album for the multi-platinum-selling singer/songwriter and the follow-up to 2013’s From Here to Now to You. This latest offering finds Johnson returning to the stripped-back, homegrown feel of the four-track recordings that launched his career more than 17 years ago. While his longtime bandmates Adam (drums), Merlo (bass) and Zach (piano) accompanied him on several tracks, Johnson handled most of the instrumentation on his own, sculpting many of the songs around his graceful guitar performance. All The Light Above It Too will be released here on September 8.
Johnson and his production team, alongside Reverb, will continue to pave the way in green touring practices with extensive sustainability programs at every show. Curbing the use of single-use plastic has been at the forefront of Johnson’s work for over a decade. Since 2005, Johnson’s crew has implemented a plastic free backstage and since 2007 all shows have offered fans free water through water-refill stations with reusable bottle and cup options to reduce single-use plastic. Additional greening actions for Johnson’s 2017 Summer Tour include sourcing local, organic food as part of a “farm to stage” program, producing upcycled and eco-friendly merchandise, expanding waste reduction, composting and recycling, offering bike valets and alternative transportation incentives, as well as offsetting all remaining CO2 emissions. Through Jack’s All at Once campaign, the summer tour will support over 30 non-profit partners and will engage fans to take action in support of sustainable local food systems and plastic free initiatives. Fans can visit these partners in the Village Green and participate in the greening actions at each show. Leading up to each show our All At Once Non-Profit Partner Tangaroa Bluewill be hosting volunteer beach cleanups in each concert city. Sign up for Jack’s newsletter for details. Further information on green initiatives here.
VILLA MARIA ESTATE, AUCKLAND
SUNDAY DECEMBER 10
All Ages Show
TICKETS ON SALE 2PM MONDAY SEPTEMBER 11
Fan Club pre-sale: 12pm September 4 until 5pm September 5
Spark pre-sale: 12pm September 6 until 12pm September 8
My Live Nation pre-sale: 1pm September 8 until 12pm September 11
For complete tour and ticket information, visit:
www.jackjohnsonmusic.com
www.theblackseeds.com
www.bahamasmusic.net
www.livenation.co.nz
To download key images please click HERE
About Live Nation Entertainment:
Live Nation Entertainment (NYSE: LYV) is the world’s leading live entertainment company comprised of global market leaders: Ticketmaster, Live Nation Concerts, Live Nation Advertising & Sponsorship and Artist Nation Management. For additional information, visit www.livenationentertainment.com.
ANGUS AND JULIA STONE TO RETURN TO NEW ZEALAND WITH THEIR SNOW WORLD TOUR
Australian folk rock/indie duo ANGUS AND JULIA STONE will return to New Zealand this December bringing their Snow Tour to iconic venues in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Following on from a sold-out tour in Australia, the duo will play a series of all ages, intimate venues around the country including Auckland’s Civic Theatre (December 15), Wellington’s St James Theatre (December 16) and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal (December 17) as they celebrate the release of their brand new single ‘Snow’, the title track from their forthcoming album.
Tickets for all shows go on sale at midday on Wednesday, August 23.
Spark is bringing an exciting pre-sale just for Spark customers from midday Friday, August 18 until 5pm Sunday, August 20.
My Live Nation members may also be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale beginning midday Monday, August 21.
For complete tour and ticketing details, visit: livenation.co.nz.
‘Snow’ was recorded in Angus’ Byron Bay cottage studio and saw the siblings write the entire album together — a suggestion that first came from producer Rick Rubin, who produced the pair’s 2014 self-titled album.
“That was the first time that we actually started writing together, in the same room, and I guess we took a leaf from that chapter into this record,” Angus recently told musicfeeds.com.au. “This time round though, every song on the record we wrote together.”
“It was quite magical because Angus and I have never spent that much time together, just the two of us,” adds Julia.
Since the duo began performing together in 2006, Angus and Julia Stone’s story has unfolded with an almost magical magnetism that has galvanised the world. Their albums have amassed multi-platinum sales, numerous ARIA and APRA Awards at home and won a fan-base of millions over spiralling tours of the UK, Europe and North America. The band has more than five million listeners each month who tune in to stream their music from all over the world.
Their quietly hypnotic songs have infiltrated our screens from the recent Woody Harrelson film ‘The Edge of 17’ to TV shows like ‘Pretty Little Liars’, ‘Suits’ and ‘Revenge’. The pair has also cast their spell over the world's key festivals including Coachella, Lollapalooza, Bonnaroo, Austin City Limits and Splendour in The Grass.
ANGUS AND JULIA STONE
SNOW WORLD TOUR
With support from The Teskey Brothers
CIVIC THEATRE, AUCKLAND – FRIDAY DECEMBER 15
ST JAMES THEATRE, WELLINGTON – SATURDAY DECEMBER 16
ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL, CHRISTCHURCH – SUNDAY DECEMBER 17
TICKETS ON SALE 12PM WEDNESDAY AUGUST 23
- all shows are all ages -
Spark pre-sale: 12pm August 18 until 5pm August 20
My Live Nation pre-sale: 12pm August 21 until 10am August 23
For complete tour and ticketing information, visit:
www.angusandjuliastone.com & www.livenation.co.nz
LUCY LAWLESS TO STAR IN PLEASUREDOME - THE ULTIMATE 80’S MUSICAL EXPERIENCE
Forget everything you knew about musicals, this is an immersive experience set within a fully realised Manhattan streetscape just off Rosebank Road, 10 minutes from Auckland’s CBD. Here your journey begins before being transported back in time to the heart-stopping, booty-shaking, mythical Pleasuredome nightclub. This is the night you never dreamt possible.
Lucy Lawless is Sappho, the show’s sexy, hedonistic diva whose lavish performances have made Pleasuredome synonymous with glamour and excess. Also starring Moses Mackay (Sole Mio), Ashleigh Barlow (Wicked), Vince Harder (The Lion King), Stephen Lovatt (Neighbours) and a 20-strong cast of local and international performers all supported by a state of the art light & projection extravaganza.
This is a story of desire, addiction, greed, and the power of love, set on the dance-floor to some of the biggest tunes of the era.
Directed by Michael Hurst (Chicago) and produced by Rob Tapert (Spartacus), Pleasuredome will be the most electrifying theatre experience ever staged in New Zealand.
“As a twenty-something youth in the 80's, a friend dragged me to an underground club in New York City - it was something you could only find in that city, a fusion of beautiful people, music, lights - a sensory overload. It was the most incredible and wildest night of my life and, for near forty years, I've been working on the right vehicle that could re-create that seminal ride for others. Pleasuredome is a classic tale of desire, love, and greed set at the party you've only dreamt about - all mixed to an 80's soundtrack.” – Rob Tapert
"In the shimmering world of the Pleasuredome, all that glitters may burn a girl out. My character, Sappho is in the fight of her life to rescue true love from the ashes. It's a wild, funkadelic, joyful ride. Let me take you there...." - Lucy Lawless
Pleasuredome will open on September 28th with tickets for this World Premiere season of Pleasuredome on sale now from Ticketek with tickets starting at only $29 + BF (for the previews). Selected dates are already at capacity with the season set to sell out so audiences are warned not to delay.
MRS. BROWN RETURNS TO NZ WITH HER BRAND NEW SHOW! ‘FOR THE LOVE OF MRS. BROWN’
CHRISTCHURCH’S HORNCASTLE ARENA: FEB 28TH – MARCH 2ND
AUCKLAND’S SPARK ARENA: MARCH 7TH – 10TH
Presale tickets available from Ticketek (Christchurch) and Ticketmaster(Auckland) at 9am Tuesday August 1st with general tickets on sale Thursday 3rdAugust (at 9am).
Voted as the Best British Sitcom of the 21st century by the Radio Times in the UK, Mrs Brown’s Boys will make a triumphant return to New Zealand in 2018. The Multi Award Winning Mrs Brown’s Boys will perform live, their brand new show FOR THE LOVE OF MRS. BROWN.
FOR THE LOVE OF MRS. BROWN is the latest production of the side-splitting series written by and starring Brendan O’Carroll. This brand new hilarious show sees Agnes looking for love using D’Internet, Cathy thinks plastic surgery might be the answer to getting that ring on her finger, Dermot realises he may need to step it up with the romance to keep his marriage fresh and even granddad has found love!
Mrs Brown’s Boys success and achievements has been nothing short of incredible. With awards and accolades including four National Television Awards, two TV Choice Awards, three Scottish BAFTAs, three IFTA Awards, three TV Times Award, Royal Television Society Winner and a TV BAFTA for Best Situation Comedy to being a ratings smash around the world, Mrs Brown’s Boys live has also broken box office records across the UK and Ireland.
Since the Browns left New Zealand in 2016 they have kept busy with a very special Live Broadcast in July 2016 celebrating 60 years of Comedy with the BBC, Christmas Specials, a UK and Ireland Sell Out Arena Tour and Agnes’ brand new TV Chat show, All Round to Mrs. Brown’s, which attracted huge ratings earlier this year in the UK and Ireland when it aired to a staggering 5 million viewers each Saturday night. All Round to Mrs. Brown’s is currently showing on TVNZ each Thursday Night.
For all Mrs Browns’ die hard fans, you are in for the biggest treat. For those who haven’t experienced Mrs Brown’s Boys live, For the Love of Mrs. Brown it is not to be missed.
"Come and see live what they can't show on D'TV”
‘FOR THE LOVE OF MRS. BROWN’ TOUR DATES:
CHRISTCHURCH’S HORNCASTLE ARENA: FEB 28TH, MARCH 1ST & 2ND 2018.
AUCKLAND’S SPARK ARENA: MARCH 7TH – 10TH 2018
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
WEB // TWITTER // FACEBOOK // INSTAGRAM
TO DOWNLOAD KEY IMAGES PLEASE CLICK HERE
GROUND-BREAKING NEW SERIES ‘IN MY MIND’ TO EXPLORE KIWI FEMALE MENTAL HEALTH
Four-part series to premiere on TVNZ 1 Sunday 16th July at 8:30am.
WATCH THE PROMO HERE:
Today’s woman is sold on the idea; you can have it all. But this has transformed into an expectation; you must do it all. These unhealthy expectations are driving an anxiety epidemic explored in this new series from Attitude In My Mind premiering Sunday 16th July on TVNZ 1.
With technologically becoming increasingly sophisticated, our lives should be getting easier, but this is not the case. Some are addicted to social media, and while more connected, they feel more isolated than ever. Women are feeling pressure to look thin and eat ‘clean’, while new mums feel plain exhausted as they try to be superwoman, but make it look #effortless. Women are having fewer children, later in life, but with divorce rates increasing, more are managing solo. Antidepressant use has doubled in developed countries over the last 10 years, and female suicide rates are rising. Success comes at a cost; many women burnout early in their careers.
Via raw and honest interviews with New Zealand and Australian women of all ages, alongside expert opinion, this four-part series delves into stress, anxiety and mental health. Directed by four Kiwi female directors, each episode focuses on a different catalyst including social media addiction, the challenges of motherhood, body image and burnout as well as techniques to live in these increasingly challenging times.
EPISODIC INFO:
Social Obsession – July 16th: We’re more connected than ever...always at the beck and call of our smart phones. However, despite being constantly online, we’re feeling isolated and anxious. This episode explores why social media is so addictive and what it’s doing to our mental health.
Motherhood: – July 23rd: Motherhood is meant to be one of life’s fulfilling experiences, so why are mums such a mess? This episode reveals how prolonged sleep deprivation has a negative, lasting effect on our brains, and why being a mum today is harder than ever.
Body: – July 30th: The pressure on women to be thin is everywhere. While environmental and genetic factors cause obesity, society blames the individual for being lazy and greedy. We look at the effects body pressure has on women, and why it must stop.
Burnout: – August 6th: Burnout is referred to as the overachiever’s syndrome and it’s becoming increasingly common. Doctors are seeing more and more young women anxious, depressed and suffering adrenal fatigue… we find out why.
FIRST LOOK AT ‘THE CHANGEOVER’ REVEALED
WATCH THE TRAILER HERE
The spine-tingling debut trailer for the supernatural young adult film The Changeover has been released today as well as the confirmation the film will hit Kiwi cinemas on Sept 28th 2017.
Based on the timeless young adult novel penned by iconic Kiwi writer Margaret Mahy, The Changeover, which is set in post-earthquake Christchurch, tells the story of troubled teenage Laura Chant (Erana James) who must ‘change over’ and become a witch in order to save her little brother Jacko (Benji Purchase) from an evil ancient spirit (Timothy Spall).
Shot entirely on location in Christchurch, The Changeover brings together a world class cast including Timothy Spall (Mr Turner, Harry Potter), Melanie Lynskey (Two and a Half Men, Heavenly Creatures), Lucy Lawless (Xena, Ash vs Evil Dead) Nicholas Galitzine (Handsome Devil, High Strung) and Dame Kate Harcourt (Second Hand Wedding, Separation City) as well as newcomer Erana James (Ngati Whatau Orakei, Waikato Tainui) as the film’s lead Laura Chant and Benji Purchase (Ngati Tuwharetoa) as Jacko Chant. The film was directed by Stuart McKenzie & Miranda Harcourt with McKenzie also responsible for the film’s screenplay.
“It’s a thrill to finally be bringing The Changeover to cinemas,” say Harcourt and McKenzie. “We are so proud of the awesome performances by our cast from award-winning actor Timothy Spall from Harry Potter fame through to newcomer Erana James. The film is beautiful, intense, dreamy and emotional and we can’t wait for audiences to see it.”
The Changeover was produced by Emma Slade from Firefly Films with investment from the New Zealand Film Commission, private investors and the New Zealand Screen Production Grant. Financing has been in association with Fulcrum Media Finance. Production partners include Park Road Post Production, Pukeko Pictures and theChristchurch City Council. Vendetta Films will distribute the film across New Zealand and Australia.
ODESZA TO RETURN TO NZ THIS SEPTEMBER
Electronic powerhouse Odesza has announced they are returning to New Zealand this September - and Kiwis will be the first audience to hear their new album live.
Odesza, comprised of Seattle duo Harrison Mills and Clayton Knight, will play at the Great Hall on Thursday September 14.
The duo will be playing in support of their new album, A Moment Apart, which is due for release the week prior on September 8.
September's show will be the duo's third time performing in New Zealand, and Knight says they're excited to return.
"We love coming out there, the audiences are absolutely amazing. We're really excited to build this theatrical yet alive electronic experience that's kind of mismatched together.
"We're pulling from all these different influences and we're going to go through all these different genres throughout the set, so we want to make something that is unique and exciting and that can hold the audiences' attention for 90 minutes, if not more."
Tickets go on sale via Ticketmaster from June 16. Venue and promotor pre-sales will be available from June 15.
CIRQUE DU SOLEIL'S 'TORUK - THE FIRST FLIGHT' MAKES ITS NZ DEBUT
Christchurch's Horncastle Arena: September 1st – 10th
Auckland’s Spark Arena – September 15th – 24th
Tickets on pre-sale to Cirque Club members now!
Public on-sale starting 10am Monday May 15th from Ticketek (Christchurch) and Ticketmaster (Auckland)
Inspired by James Cameron’s record-breaking film AVATAR, TORUK - The First Flight by Cirque du Soleil will make its New Zealand debut at Christchurch’s Horncastle Arena from September 1st – 10th before moving to Auckland’s Spark Arena (formerly Vector Arena) from September 15th – 24th 2017.
"TORUK - The First Flight is an integration of humanity and technology, a colourful spectacle for the entire family. We are delighted to see this epic journey take flight in New Zealand, a country so rich in culture and scenery as can be found on Pandora" says director and writer Michel Lemieux.
Presented by TEG Live, tickets for TORUK - The First Flight are now on pre-sale to Cirque Club members HERE. ROVA app users will also have their chances to access exclusive pre-sale tickets from HERE and More FM listeners HERE from Wednesday 10th May at 9am. General public tickets will go on sale at 10am on Monday 15th May from Ticketek (Christchurch) and Ticketmaster (Auckland)
THE SHOW:
Inspired by James Cameron’s AVATAR, TORUK – The First Flight transports you to the world of Pandora in a visually stunning live setting. Experience a storytelling odyssey through a new world of imagination, discovery, and possibility.
Through a riveting fusion of cutting-edge visuals, puppetry and stagecraft buoyed by a soaring cinematic score, Cirque du Soleil applies its unique signature style to James Cameron’s imaginary world and “makes the bond” between two kindred artistic visions that capture the imagination.
This live immersive experience also bears the distinct signature of directors and multimedia innovators Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon. It is a living ode to the Na’vi’s symbiotic coexistence with nature and their belief in the basic interconnectedness of all living things.
Narrated by a “Na’vi Storyteller” and populated by unforgettable characters, TORUK – The First Flight is a mythical tale set thousands of years before the events depicted in the film AVATAR, and before any humans ever set foot on Pandora.
THE STORY:
When a natural catastrophe threatens to destroy the sacred Tree of Souls, Ralu and Entu, two Omatikaya boys on the brink of adulthood, fearlessly decide to take matters into their own hands. Upon learning that Toruk can help them save the Tree of Souls, they set out, together with their newfound friend Tsyal, on a quest high up in the Floating Mountains to find the mighty red and orange predator that rules the Pandoran sky. Prophecy is fulfilled when a pure soul rises among the clans to ride Toruk for the first time and save the Na’vi from a terrible fate.
THE CREATIVE TEAM:
TORUK – The First Flight comprises 13 creators under the artistic guidance of Guy Laliberté (Guide) and Jean-François Bouchard (Creative Guide) for Cirque du Soleil, and James Cameron, Jon Landau, Kathy Franklin and Richie Baneham for Lightstorm Entertainment:
Show Writers and Directors, Multimedia Directors: Michel Lemieux and Victor Pilon
Director of Creation: Neilson Vignola
Set and Props Designer: Carl Fillion
Costume and Makeup Designer: Kym Barrett
Choreographers:Tuan Le and Tan Loc
Composers and Musical Directors: Bob & Bill
Sound Designer: Jacques Boucher
Creators’ biographies and still images are availibe HERE.
To download high res stills or video from the show please click HERE.
TICKET INFORMATION:
Tickets for TORUK – The First Flight are now on pre-sale to Cirque Club members HERE. General public tickets will go on sale at 10am on Monday 15th May from Ticketek(Christchurch) and Ticketmaster (Auckland)
JOIN THE CONVERSATION:
Follow us at www.facebook.com/torukthefirstflight, Twitter @cirque | Instagram @cirquedusoleil | Snapchat @CirqueSnap | #TORUK #Avatar #CirqueduSoleil
ABOUT CIRQUE DU SOLEIL:
TORUK – The First Flight is Cirque du Soleil’s 37th production since 1984. The company has brought wonder and delight to more than 155 million spectators in more than 300 cities on six continents. Cirque du Soleil has close to 4,000 employees, including 1,300 performing artists from close to 50 different countries.
For more information about Cirque du Soleil, visit https://www.cirquedusoleil.com.
To find out more about the ONE DROP Foundation, visit https://www.onedrop.org/.
ABOUT TEG LIVE:
As a diverse live content and touring business, TEG Live connects Australians, New Zealanders and the world with unique live experiences through music, family entertainment, exhibitions, sporting events and corporate hospitality.
For more information go to www.teglive.com.au
'THE BREAKER UPPERERS' BEGINS PRINCIPAL PHOTOGRAPHY
Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami’s comedy feature film, THE BREAKER UPPERERS has today begun principal photography in Auckland.
THE BREAKER UPPERERS is written and will be directed by van Beek and Sami who will also play the lead roles of Jen and Mel, a pair of cynical misfits who earn a living by breaking up unhappy couples for cash. Australian comedian Celia Pacquola joins the cast along with Kiwi favourites including Rima Te Wiata, Cohen Holloway and Nic Sampson. This feature also marks the return to the big screen of actor James Rolleston who joins the cast playing a young man desperately in need of the pairs services to break up with his overbearing girlfriend Sepa (played by newcomer Ana Scotney).
Sami and van Beek are looking forward to shooting the feature which at its core tells the story of two woman working out life’s many twists and turns and choosing their own path rather than one prescribed to them.
“When Jackie came to me with this premise I loved it,” says Sami. “After years of workshops, raising kids (Jackie not me), maintaining long distance relationships (me not Jackie) and hours of writing in cafes all over Auckland it's exciting to have the opportunity to bring this story to life with the help of our talented cast and crew.”
“After being friends for so long, Madeleine and I thought it might be time to convince the world to let us co-write, co-direct and co-star in our own movie. And now we have an amazing team of people supporting us to do just that!” adds van Beek. “Most of our key cast and crew are women which feels exciting. And many of our heads of department are job sharing in order to fulfill their filmmaking ambitions whilst also raising families. If this film helps to establish this model as a popular way of working I'll be extremely happy.”
THE BREAKER UPPERERS will be produced by Carthew Neal (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Tickled), Ainsley Gardner (Boy, Eagle v Shark) and Georgina Conder (Free in Deed,Consent) under the Piki and Miss Conception Films banner. Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do In The Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople) is acting as executive producer.
“I’m so happy that our second Piki film is going into production,” says Waititi. “Madeleine and Jackie are two of the smartest and funniest people I know and I can’t wait to see what they do with this hilarious script. Women are hugely under represented in the film industry so I’m very proud that two of our best comedians, who just happen to be women, are getting to make their movie. I’m also particularly over the moon that we get to see James Rolleston in front of the camera again.”
THE BREAKER UPPERERS will be made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission, Wallace Productions and Department of Post. The film will be distributed in New Zealand by Madman Entertainment and Piki and in Australia by Madman Entertainment in 2018.
Click HERE to follow the films progress on Facebook and click HERE to download a high res image of Jackie and Madeleine.
KICKSTARTER LAUNCHED FOR KIWI DOCO ‘IN ZONE’
The extraordinary journey of a man from Chicago and his mission to transform the lives of New Zealand and American teens is set to get the big screen treatment, with feature length documentary In Zone calling for funds to complete this incredible story.
Directed by Robyn Paterson and produced by Jill Macnab and Christina Milligan, In Zonefollows Chicago-born Terrance Wallace who, after coming to New Zealand on a holiday, was so stunned by news reports of Māori and Pasifika youth falling through the cracks that he made the life-changing decision to uproot his life in Chicago and move to New Zealand, with the sole aim to make a difference.
Setting his sights on Auckland’s sought-after “grammar school zone”, Wallace partnered initially with the United Maori Mission to utilise a large boarding home in the heart of the city’s wealthiest and most exclusive schooling area. He invited Māori and Pasifika boys with a desire to succeed to apply for a chance to move into the in-zone home and attend Auckland Grammar School. Not only would these boys now have access to highly resourced schooling, but also, critically, Grammar’s extremely influential alumni network, which lies at the centre of the nation’s business and political inner circles. This, he believes, is how you begin to break cycles.
The boys have overcome obstacles, dealt with set-backs, and made breakthrough successes with many going on to become the first in their families to embark on tertiary education. Terrance meanwhile is feeling the pull back home to Chicago where escalating racial tensions and violence have led to many begging him to start the scheme there. Wallace now faces the challenge of utilising all of his knowledge from NZ, along with a set of new and different challenges, to launch In Zone Illinois - finding African-American and Hispanic teens to be pioneers of the programme on the other side of the world from where it all began.
Created to date with support from the NZ Film Commission and private investors, In Zoneis now seeking crowd-funding support to capture Wallace in the next phase of his incredible journey.
“By engaging with these kids’ stories and looking at the underlying issues, it’s my hope that the film will be able to shine a light on what’s happening to create division and how we can begin to create change,” says director Robyn Paterson. “Terrance is delving head first into what has become a pivotal time in Chicago’s history. We’ve put huge amounts of our own resources into this film so far, but we really need support to be over there with him and help bring this story to the world’s attention.”
Potential backers are invited to head here to support this incredible cinematic project and reap a great range of rewards. These rewards range from an exclusive streaming link to watch the film when it launches ($50) through to one on one Skype sessions with the filmmaker and Terrance ($500) and a motivational team building session with Terrance for a lucky team or workplace ($5,000). A full list of rewards can be found on the Kickstarter Page.
The Kickstarter is live now and will run till the 12th April. All funds raised will go towards the production costs associated with covering the Chicago portion of the film. Any additional funds will go into the marketing and distribution of this story to ensure it gets the widest audience possible.
Keep in touch with the projects progress by liking them on Facebook here, and download a copy of the trailer for the project here.
BIOPIC ‘WAYNE’ COMMENCES PRODUCTION
The incredible larger than life story of former World Motorcycle Champion, Wayne Gardner will be given the big screen treatment as Matthew Metcalfe of General Film Corporation and Fraser Brown of FB Pictures announced today the feature documentary project has entered production.
WAYNE tells the improbable, triumphant true story of 1987 World Motorcycle Champion Wayne Gardner’s rise, despite the doubters and in the face of adversity, to become one of the most iconic motorcycle racers of all time.
The film will be helmed by acclaimed Australian director, Jeremy Sims (LAST CAB TO DARWIN, BENEATH HILL 60) with the screen treatment written by Sims and Metcalfe.
Sims states “This is a passion project for me – I love the feature doc format - and I am excited to be bringing the thrilling and complex story of Wayen Garder’s incredible journey to cinema goers. It is a tale of speed, danger, love, adversity, dogged willpower and, eventually, triumph, all set in the heady days of Australia’s ‘coming of age’ in the late 80’s. I was there, and I’m aiming to take our audience there too…’
Metcalfe stated, “After seeing LAST CAB TO DARWIN at TIFF 2015 I knew that Jeremy was the best person to approach to tell this story. His understanding of myth and drama showed me that he could bring this action and passion filled story to light”.
WAYNE will be made with major investment from Screen Australia as well as The New Zealand Film Commission in association with Henla Investments and White Comet Films. Transmission Films will distribute the film across Australasia with Paris based Upside Distribution handling worldwide sales.
WAYNE is be produced by Matthew Metcalfe of General Film Corporation (Australia), the award winning production house responsible for the major motion pictures BEYOND THE EDGE, DEAN SPANLEY, THE DEAD LANDS and the upcoming MCLAREN and 6 DAYS. Fraser Brown of FB Pictures (New Zealand) also produces alongside his FB Pictures banner. FB Pictures are responsible for acclaimed Kiwi drama ORPHANS AND KINGDOMS. Metcalfe and Brown recently worked together producing Roger Donaldson’s MCLAREN, due for release in 2017.
Brown says “It’s not motorcycles that got me excited about telling this story on the big screen, it’s the character of Wayne Gardner. I’m certain audiences from all walks of life, whether they ride or not, will be as captivated by Wayne’s fascinating journey from Wollongong Kid to Australian hero as I was.”
Raised in workingman’s Australia with a good-sized chip on his shoulder, WAYNE follows Gardener’s struggles to harness his rage for racetrack glory and conquer the demons that threatened to stop him in his tracks. WAYNE will take viewers on a high-speed journey into the worlds most dynamic and visually arresting sport, Grand Prix motorcycle racing - revealing the loves, lives, personalities and passion of one of the worlds last great gladiatorial sports.
To download a key image please click HERE.
For more info please contact:
Chris Henry // 818
chris@818.co.nz
+64 21 670 604
PECKING ORDER TO HATCH IN KIWI CINEMAS THIS YEAR
The distinctly Kiwi world of competitive poultry pageantry (yep, you read that right!) will get the big screen treatment this year when the feature-length feel-good flockumentary Pecking Order hatches in cinemas nationwide mid-2017.
Pecking Order follows members of the 148-year-old Christchurch Poultry, Bantam and Pigeon Club in the lead up to the NZ National Championships, as they battle history (and each other) in their quest for glory. Audiences will be introduced to an endearing and eclectic group of ‘chick fanciers’, each hoping to take away the top prize, including Doug the determined Club President, Rhys the young upstart, Sarah the chicken whisperer, Ian the exacting judge, Mark the voice of reason and Brian the lovable champion. Pecking Order is a hilarious, unique, and heart-warming slice of Kiwiana which is sure to delight and surprise audiences of all ages.
"Equal parts comedy and drama, Pecking Order is a film I am proud of and I hope New Zealanders will be charmed at seeing who will rule the roost." says Director Slavko Martinov.
Pecking Order will be released in cinemas around NZ mid-2017 and will be distributed across New Zealand and Australia by Vendetta Films.
“We are delighted to be bringing Pecking Order to New Zealand audiences, and know that they will fall in love with this film as much as we have. It’s destined to become a Kiwi cult classic with its mix of heart, humour and unlikely heroes," says Jill Macnab, General Manager of Vendetta Films.
Pecking Order was made with investment by The New Zealand Film Commission.
