Magic, mind manipulation and misdirection 28 Apr 2016
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Magic, mind manipulation and misdirection -‘Mr and Mrs Alexander’ tour 21 May - 2 July
Do Mr and Mrs Alexander have strange abilities or are they con artists? That’s the question audiences are left with at the end of this clever show. Based on research into the history of 19th century performers and the golden years of magic and spiritualism, married duo Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman, aka ‘Mr and Mrs Alexander’, have created a show combining circus skills and mind boggling tricks for a modern audience.
“In researching the roots of these forgotten carnival acts, we unearthed a forgotten sub-culture of gusty ladies, social misfits, freaks, hucksters and mediums,” Lizzie says.
“As part of the show, audiences will see Victorian magic and sideshow stunts, mentalism, psychic illusion and Uri Geller-esque metal bending. And yes, we really do all these things.”
While not based on ‘real’ historical figures, Mr and Mrs Alexander is based on anecdotes and incidents from the lives of real carnival performers of the Victorian era.
“It’s set in 1888 with the action taking place across three New Zealand cities. We’re committed to telling New Zealand stories,” Lizzie Tollemache says.
An absolute and pure delight. It’s engaging, edge-of-your-seat, breath-taking fun….This is the exact show you want to see. It will be one you remember and talk about years down the road." –On Stage Ottawa
Tollemache and Ladderman have concocted a magical show, and it’s not to be missed." CBC
“A hugely enjoyable treat” -Fringe review Canada
Bios
Married duo, Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman formed Rollicking Entertainment Ltd in 2014 to devise original shows blending theatre with illusion, sideshow and mind games. That year they toured Mr and Mrs Alexander to critical acclaim in Canada and again at the 2015 World Buskers Festival.To date they’ve created four shows and toured Australia and the UK as well as New Zealand and Canada.
Australian born David Ladderman has performed at two Edinburgh Fringe Festivals, the Kuala Lumpur Buskers Festival and five World Buskers Festivals. In 2007 he became a founding member of The Loons Circus Theatre Company, based in Lyttelton, where he performed until the 2011 Canterbury earthquakes. Since then he has worked for Christchurch’s Court Theatre, become the first ladder-walker to work with New Zealand Opera, toured New Zealand, Canada and the United Kingdom with solo shows, and entertained at The Hobbit world premiere.
Lizzie Tollemache is an actor, street performer and variety artist who entertains around the world at events as diverse as the Dubai International Comedy Festival, Rugby World Cup and World Buskers Festival. For the last six years she has been a member of The Court Jesters, performing regularly in New Zealand’s longest running comedy show, Scared Scriptless. Lizzie delights in performing to a wide range of audiences- from the infamous Hunter Square pitch on the streets of Edinburgh to the most prestigious of corporate conferences, and even to the last two Prime Ministers of NZ (true story).
Itinerary
Saturday 21 May 7.30pm Akaroa
The Gaiety
$15 Book: Akaroa Museum or 03 304 8900
Sunday 22 May 2pm Balcairn
Mike Greer Concert Series
Balcairn Public Hall
$25 incl. afternoon tea
Book: Sally Mac’s Amberley; Sefton Garage; Stan’s 7 Day Pharmacy Rangiora
Wednesday 25 May 8pm Oamaru
Inkbox Theatre Oamaru Opera House
$20 (plus booking fee)
Book: Oamaru Opera House and www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Thursday 26 May 7.30pm Twizel
Twizel Events Centre
$20 Adult; $10 Student (cash only)
Book: Twizel Information Centre
Friday 27 May 7.30pm Queenstown
St Peter’s Church Hall
Queenstown
$25 Book: Eventfinda
Saturday 28 May 7.30pm Invercargill
Rep House cnr Jed and Esk Sts
$25 Book: www.evenfinda.co.nz
Tuesday 31 May 7pm Roxburgh
Roxburgh Town Hall
$20 Door sales only
Wednesday 1 June 7.30pm Alexandra
The Cellar Door
$20 Adults; $15 SuperGold card; $10 Children
Book: Alexandra i-Site or cash door sales
Friday 3 June 7.30pm Hokitika
Old Lodge Theatre
$20 Book: Hokitika Regent Theatre
Saturday 4 June 8pm Barrytown
Barrytown Hall
$20 Door sales
Monday 6 June 2pm Onekaka
The Mussel Inn
$15 book: The Mussel Inn
Thursday 9 June 7.30pm Blenheim
ASB Theatre Marlborough
Blenheim
$25 Book www.ticketdirect.co.nz
Saturday 11 June 7.30pm New Plymouth
Sunday 12 June 7pm
4th Wall Theatre
$30 Adults; Seniors $25; Students $15
Book: www.4thwalltheatre.co.nz
Tuesday 14 June 7pm Putaruru
The Plaza
$20 Book: The Plaza; Putaruru and Tokoroa i-Sites;
The Storyteller Matamata, Eventfinda
Wednesday 15 June 7.30pm Hamilton
The Meteor Theatre
$25 GA; $20 Concessions
Book: www.iticket.co.nz
Friday 17 June 7.30pm Whangarei
The Riverbank Centre
Reyburn House Lane
$25 Book: www.whangareitheatrecompany.org.nz
Whangarei Suit Hire, Rust Avenue
Saturday 18 June 7.30pm Kaitaia
Community Hall
$20 Book: Far North i-Site 09 408 9450
Tuesday 21 June 7.30pm Onewhero
OSPA Theatre Hall Rd
$20 Adults; $10 Students and SuperGold
Book; River Traders Tuakau
Thursday 23 June 7pm Opotiki
Senior Citizens Hall, King St
$20 Adult; $10 Children and over 65
Book: Travel Shop
Friday 24 June 8.15pm Masterton – (Up With People Presents)
The Regent Theatre
$25 Book: www.evenfinda.co.nz and Box Office
Monday 27 June 8pm Lincoln
The Laboratory
$20 Book: www.eventfinda.co.nz or at The Laboratory
Tuesday 28 June 7.30pm Fairlie
Mackenzie Community Theatre
$20 Book: Heartlands
Wednesday 29 June 7.30pm Ashburton
Ashburton Trust Event Centre
‘Open Hat Night’ No Charge prior to the event
Saturday 2 July 7.30pm Christchurch
Gloucester Room, Isaac Theatre Royal
$30 Adults; $28 Concessions (booking fees apply)
Book: 0800 TICKETEK www.isaactheatreroyal.co.nz
Arts On Tour New Zealand (AOTNZ) organises tours of outstanding New Zealand performers to rural and smaller centres in New Zealand. The trust receives funding from Creative New Zealand, support from Interislander, and liaises with local arts councils, repertory theatres and community groups to bring the best of musical and other talent to country districts. The AOTNZ programme is environmentally sustainable – artists travel to their audiences rather than the other way around.
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