May 20, 2006

8 countries, 12 theatre companies, 150 young theatre makers
– a world of possibilities…

One of New Zealand’s leading theatre companies, Massive Company, has been invited to take part in a unique international theatre project held in the United Kingdom in July this year – a first for any NZ theatre company! Massive, who took The Sons of Charlie Paora to London in 2004 and has recently finished a successful season of 100 Cousins at the Herald Theatre, has spent the last six months devising Up Close Out Loud, a play about young kiwi men. Up Close Out Loud has been specially commissioned for the UK tour and will debut at the Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, 7-9 July, before going to Manchester as part of the Contacting the World project.

Contacting the World is a unique biennial project that brings hundreds of young people together to make new theatre that reflects the world around them and promotes new ways of communication and understanding during a time of cultural change.

Every two years 12 theatre companies from around the globe are chosen to participate. Each company is partnered with another and must contribute to each other’s plays by exchanging creative ideas through websites, chat rooms, email and mail. At the end of the creative process the companies travel to Manchester to perform their finished plays in a week long theatre festival at Manchester’s Contact Theatre, 17 – 23 July.

Theatre companies from South Africa, Rwanda, India, Brazil, Philippines and the UK are taking part in this year’s Contacting the World. Massive Company’s cast of talented young men is partnered with Jackass Youth Theatre from County Durham, UK.

Massive Company founder and director Sam Scott says being involved with Contacting the World is a privilege, "This is a fabulous project that encourages young actors to examine who they are, where they come from and how they are effected by their environment, both as people and as actors. Because we are partnered with a theatre company from the other side of the world it’s also a great way for the actors to learn about another country, culture and it’s people in an intimate way."

Contacting the World has developed an inspirational approach to worldwide exchange that celebrates widely different experiences of theatre-making and performance, embracing a vast range of creative traditions, cultural expectations, and different languages.

Massive Company’s selection for Contacting the World is the result of a four-year relationship between THE EDGE® and Contact Theatre.

THE EDGE® Public Programmes Development Manager, Sally Markham says, "From the first meeting in 2002 it was clear we shared common goals with Contact Theatre in regards to fostering youth participation in the arts. We are thrilled that Massive Company has been chosen for this exciting and inspiring programme. We are pleased to work in partnership with Massive on Up Close Out Loud and to ensure that the young men involved get everything they possibly can out of the experience."

British Council is supporting Massive Company’s attendance to Manchester as part of its work to connect young New Zealanders with contemporary UK culture.

British Council Arts and Creative industries Manager, Anna Cameron says, "Contacting the World uses live theatre to build understanding between young people around the world. We are excited to be able to continue our partnership with Massive Company and to assist in making its UK connection a reality."

Up Close Out Loud cast includes; Jack Haldane-Willis (Muriwai), Kitan Petkovski (Hillsborough), Scott Cotter (Mt Wellington), Misiarona Puni (Otara), Winston Harris (Glenfield), Dominic Ona-Ariki (Papatoetoe), Ashley Jones (Howick).

Performance details:
Where: Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, The Edge
When: 7-9 July, 8pm
Price: $9, plus koha if desired
Tickets: www.ticketek.co.nz or 09 307 5000

For more information contact: www.massivecompany.co.nz <http://www.massivecompany.co.nz>
For more information on the project go to www.contactingtheworld.org <http://www.contactingtheworld.org/>
To track Massive’s journey to Contacting the World go to www.britishcouncil.org.nz <http://www.britishcouncil.org.nz>