Rotorua's inaugural Fringe Festival has started with a bang, with the first show being performed to a sold-out crowd.
The final performance of Rauru, the two-woman show which started the festival on Saturday, is on tonight. It's set at a nana's house on the week of koro's tangihanga as allthe family comes together, co-creator Cian Gardner said.
"The two of us explore that by playing different roles."
Karina Nathan on stage during Rauru. Photo / Cove Theatre
Co-creator Karina Nathan said the play looked at the different roles people took on in life.
Gardner said they were eager to support the kaupapa of the Fringe Festival and help get New Zealand voices and stories on stage.
They were also looking forward to giving people a chance to see works in progress at the Pop-Up Shop on Eruera St.
"We're trying to promote opportunities for people to see work in progress as well by showing our process of creating new stuff and brainstorming things we're working on at the moment.
The set from Rauru. Photo / Cove Theatre
"It's not just about the finished product but also giving, especially youth, a chance to see what it takes to put on a show."
Project Leader Alex Lodge said the opening night of
Rauru
attracted both regular theatre-goers and first-timers.
Rauru on stage. Photo / Supplied
"Everyone seemed to love the show and connect with it and people stuck around after to have a chat with the actors."
The week to come features shows and events at the Pop-Up Shop including screen printing demonstrations and storytelling.
"We hope there's a connection between seeing people at work and feeling inspired to create your own," she said.
Alex Lodge, from local arts company Kopea, is an organiser of Rotorua Fringe Festival. Photo / File
"We want to make people in Rotorua feel like we know there's an audience for excellent theatre and potential to be making excellent art ... We know the potential is there we want to give them a place to see how achievable it is."
To see what's on find Rotorua Fringe Festival on Facebook.
The schedule Monday 11am: Rauru at the Pop-Up Shop Monday 8pm: Rauru at Shambles Theatre Tuesday 7pm: Play On play reading at Pop-Up Shop Wednesday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop Wednesday 6pm: Ki Tua o Taharangi at Koutu Marae Wednesday 7pm: Weave at Shambles Theatre Wednesday 7pm: L'Homme De Boue at Rotorua Boys' High School Thursday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop Thursday 5pm to 9pm: Harmonic Resonators at Rotorua Night Market Thursday 7pm: Weave at Shambles Theatre Thursday 9pm: Deacon at Shambles Theatre Friday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop Friday 9pm: Deacon at Shambles Theatre Saturday 10am to 4pm: Digital Natives Academy at Pop-Up Shop Saturday 1pm and 5.30pm: Biggest Little Circus at Te Manawa
