Solo artist to tour schools
Award-winner Alice Canton‘s solo show Orangutan has embarked on a tour around Auckland secondary schools.
On August 10, Canton will stage her drama at Edgewater College, which is among the six schools around the city that can enjoy the show for free as part of the Basement Theatre’s Schools Programme.
Winning Best show by an Emerging Artist at the 2015 Auckland Theatre Awards, Orangutan, a story about curiosity and survival, features the Balinese masked performance.
‘‘Set in the native rainforest of Borneo, an orangutan silently experiences an extraordinary voyage into the unknown. The tale is told through a rich physical score of mask and sound that rapidly unravels the journey,’’ explains the theatre.
‘‘Canton weaves the stories of her family with the vivid images and experiences of her adventures through South East Asia, revealing a mesmerising, absurd and tragic tale.’’
During the 45-minute show, there is no dialogue, but only sounds, movements and gestures made by Canton as she plays the orangutan experiencing a changing environment due to deforestation.
Beyond the curtain, Canton hopes Orangutan will create pathways for younger audiences to discuss pressing social and political concerns.
‘‘It would be great if it can give them an opportunity to engage with high-quality work, to grow curious about non-verbal storytelling, about performing, and theatre and art, and about how we can use these platforms to engage in meaningful conversations,’’ says Canton.
Orangutan was selected to be this year’s off-site component of the Basement’s Schools Programme. Three other shows, performed at the Basement Theatre’s central city venue, are offered free of charge to partner schools over the course of the year.
‘‘By taking the show out to schools, we aim to provide equality of access to professional theatre,’’ says Deanna Borren, schools programme co-ordinator of the theatre. ’’We expect the show will engage students, assist them in their learning and inspire a love of the performing arts.’’
Other secondary schools interested in the show can contact Canton for bookings.