Arcade Theatre, a new theatre company focused on student and youth productions, is already striking a chord in the Dunedin theatre scene.
Artistic Director Alex Wilson, who is completing his Masters in political theatre (yes, that’s a real thing), said, “We want to enable these artists to stay in Dunedin after their studies and allow the city to benefit from the hotbed of talent. That comes through the Department of Music, Theatre and the Performing Arts”.
Arcade Theatre is the second successful company from Wilson, who also founded Counterpoint Productions in 2012, as an undergrad theatre student. Counterpoint had a successful record of plays, and racked up a total of 13 award nominations in the Dunedin Theatre Awards over four years.
Arcade theatre’s four-show 2018 season began with Jo Randerson’s “FOLD,” which was met with critical acclaim from the Otago Daily Times, Theatre Review, and Critic.
Mixing nauseating unease with unexpected bursts of satirical humour, “FOLD” is a dark kiwi comedy, perfect for fans of Netflix’s Black Mirror. With a content warning, it’s definitely not for the faint-hearted, adressing themes such as sexual assault, violence, abandonment, disability and mental health issues.
Directed by Alex Wilson, “FOLD” introduces the audience to five acquaintances who love nothing more than exchanging random presents, talking about nothing in particular and listening to elevator music. All topics meet the same fate; a gut-wrenchingly long pause, broken with hysterical laughter and inappropriate jokes.
The actors work seamlessly together. Their impeccably synchronized reactions really enhance the robotic effect of the characters.
Conversational topics range from rape – “Oh it doesn’t exist it, if you don’t let it” – to a luxurious holiday tainted by “unhygienic starving Africans”.
Their privilege and pretension continued to haunt my thoughts: “surely people that heartless don’t actually exist . . . Oh shit, maybe I am that person”.
But for all theatre, sociology and philosophy students, “FOLD” has more than enough material to ace your upcoming essays. Even the skin crawling set includes static televisions screens and dirty white furniture.
Alex says his aim is to “push the boat out a little further in terms of the type of theatre we want to produce. We want the focus to not just be on producing work that involves and relates to people our age, but also to focus on providing a theatrical experience”.
Up next for Arcade Theatre include performances of “The First Time” by Courtney Rose Brown, an award-winning new drama that examines the highs and lows of women coming of age in New Zealand, and “The Lieutenant of Inishmore” by Martin McDonagh, an acerbic Irish comedy sure to send you reaching for your hip flask.
Finally, Abby Howells’ “Attila the Hun” will be presented as part of Arts Festival Dunedin 2018. This fast-paced comedy is set in a late night burger restaurant operated by a hapless crew of wastrels, including one who believes he is the legendary warrior, Attila the Hun.
Arcade theatre is on the look out for actors, designers, technicians and producers. Open auditions will be held on the 7th of April, to register your interest email hello@arcadetheatre.co