First Draft

FULL PROGRAM HERE

From 15-17 August, The Magnificent Weirdos is teaming up with writers in the early stages of creating new work to present rehearsed readings of these works in progress for the public, followed by audience kōrero with each writer/creator.

All the work is created by writers and devisers with lived experience of disability, neurodivergence, d/Deafness or mental distress.

Each work of approximately 20 minutes will be presented once over the weekend. Each reading will be followed by a 30 minute chat with the writer, facilitated by the director. It's an exciting and creative way to develop new work, both for writers, who receive feedback at an early stage, and for audiences who get to water the seed from which the fruit will eventually grow.

We will also be hosting an industry workshop led by Playmarket, leading a conversation on opportunities, processes and accessibility for new playwrights. Playwrights will need to register for this free workshop which has 20 spaces.

The whole event is NZSL interpreted. Accessible to blind/low vision folks without audio description.

You can check out the program for more details of each play, content notes and pre show information, but here's a quick glance over the weekend. Each event runs for approximately 1 hour.

15 Aug
6 pm- Cryptid Hunters of Aotearoa New Zealand by Rem Wigmore
Tensions rise when a group of friends seek the fabled Fiordland moose.
7.30pm- This is Going to Ruin the Sing-Along by Hamish Boyle
Three artists struggle to let go of the past and are unsure if they even should.
16 Aug
11 am- Playmarket hosts a workshop for writers
a conversation on opportunities, processes and accessibility for new playwrights. Free, registration required.
12.45pm- Rongo's First Day by Rahera Solomon
This wordless play follows a young Māori boy with takiwātanga as he navigates his first day at school.
3pm- Never Tried to Kill the Woman With the Golden Gun by Emma Maguire
The description is in the title! They Never Tried to Kill the Woman With the Golden Gun!
4.30pm- The Eagle Leaves a Scar by Sam Pretious
Ancient myth informs this allegory for our current times.
17 Aug
12.45pm- Forgot the Music by Ethan Rodgers
Two friends wake up in a recording studio with no memory of the night before.
3pm- As the Sun Sets by Tee Wood
A woman shares past secrets with unseen guardians of a graveyard.
4.30pm- Per Second Per Second by Shaun Swain
A time traveller must learn to trust the audience to prevent a time paradox that may/may not have/has/had/is already happened/happens/happening