TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP
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By Carl Nixon Directed by Patrick Davies at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin From 19 May 2012 to 9 Jun 2012 SIT Centrestage Theatre, Invercargill From 13 Jun 2012 to 14 Jun 2012 Real Journeys Fiordland Centre, Te Anau 15 Jun 2012 Memorial Hall, Alexandra 18 Jun 2012 Memorial Hall, Cromwell 19 Jun 2012 Memorial Hall, Queenstown 20 Jun 2012 Town Hall, Ranfurly 23 Jun 2012 Opera House, Oamaru 24 Jun 2012 Reviewed by: Terry MacTavish; Barbara Frame (Otago Daily Times); |
One chip shop, two actors, & sixteen characters
Set in a Chinese-owned fish-n-chip shop, TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP follows a blossoming romance between new employee Jason (Chris Parker) and the owner's daughter, Rhea (Hweiling Ow). Their love, however, is threatened by cultural and racial divides as well as pressure from family and friends.
Throughout the course of the play we meet all the customers in the chip shop, Rhea's father and mother and Jason's thuggish friend Tug. The sheer brilliance of Carl Nixon's play is that all sixteen characters are played by Parker and Ow.
TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP began as a short story, Fish ‘n' Chip Shop Song (featured in a collection of the same name published in 2006). “The story really appealed to me and, after it was published and read out on Radio New Zealand National, the idea grew that it would work as a piece of theatre,” says writer Carl Nixon.
While TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP contains comic moments, at its heart the play examines some of the darker aspects of Kiwi culture. Nixon feels that “the theme of race, cultural integration and tolerance are perennial and important. I believe that theatre should be dealing with important social issues.”
Director Patrick Davies says that Nixon's work “offers something new for Dunedin theatre goers.” Parker and Ow's ability to seamlessly adopt a plethora of characters quickly makes this play “a tour-de-force” for the actors.
Artistic Director Lara Macgregor believes that TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP is “an important contribution to the Fortune Season. One of the major draw-cards in programming this insightful New Zealand play is that it challenges audiences as it entertains. Every day there is an item in the news directly related to the strong themes inherent in this work.”
This will be Parker and Ow's first time performing on Fortune Theatre's mainstage. Parker is a recent graduate of Toi Whakaari Drama School in Wellington and Ow is an Auckland based actress most recently seen as Angkasa in Shortland Street.
As excited newcomers to the Dunedin area, both actors are also looking forward to the two week Otago and Southland tour that follows the end of their season at the Fortune.
Parker says “What a treat to work on this dexterous new New Zealand play and visit some of the most beautiful parts of the country.”
Two Fish ‘N' A Scoop
By Carl Nixon
Production Dates: 19 May – 9 June Fortune Theatre | 3 June – 24 June Otago and Southland Tour (see below)
Venue: The Fortune Theatre, 231 Stuart Street, Dunedin 9016
Performances: 6pm Tuesday / 7.30pm Wednesday – Saturday / 4pm Sunday (no show Monday)
Tickets: Gala (first 5 shows) $32, Adults $40, Senior Citizens $32, Members $30, Tertiary | Students $20, High School Students $15, Group discount (10 +) $32
Bookings: Fortune Theatre, 231 Stuart Street, Dunedin; (03) 477 8323
www.fortunetheatre.co.nz
Otago and Southland Tour Dates:
Following the Dunedin season of TWO FISH ‘N' A SCOOP (19 May – 9 June), the production will tour to:
SIT Centrestage Theatre, Invercargill
Wednesday, 13 June and Thursday, 14 June
Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224
Real Journeys Fiordland Centre, Te Anau
Friday, 15 June
Book at Fab & Finesse (03) 249 7309
Alexandra Memorial Hall
Monday, 18 June
Book at Alexandra iSite (03) 448 9515
Cromwell Memorial Hall
Tuesday, 19 June
Book at Cromwell iSite (03) 445 0212
Queenstown Memorial Hall
Wednesday, 20 June
Book at Ticketek 0800 842538
Ranfurly Town Hall
Saturday, 23 June
Book at Maniototo iSite (03) 444 1005
Oamaru Opera House
Sunday, 24 June
Book at Ticketdirect 0800 224 224
*Booking fees may apply at some venues.