Father

BY FLORIAN ZELLER

The Father (by Florian Zeller) tells the story of a father-daughter relationship, put under strain by the increasing dementia of the father. The story is told from the perspective of the father, André, and allows the audience to see the world through his perspective - with all the disjunctures, confusion and distress that dementia causes. 

The production is co-directed by Dennis Massmann and Timothy Williams (previously 'Twelve Angry Men') and integrates this modern dramatic farce with elements of physical theatre to transport the audience into the mind of André. While the play is mildly disturbing, it is an important cultural contribution and allows the audience to see the world through the eyes of someone suffering from dementia.

Alarms and Excursions

BY MICHAEL FRAYN

Who doesn't know the frustration of hearing a certain beeping, and not knowing where it's coming from? Sometimes it's not just one annoying alarm, but also an unstoppable buzzing and an impatient phone call at the same time. Not to mention friends who simply do not leave your house... Or your suitcase leading to gunshots in your hotel room. This collection of hilarious scenes illustrates that with or without electronic devices, human communication may fail in many ways.

The Getaway

In the year 2004, dementia sufferer William Malone is on the verge of losing his mind. As reality recedes, his past comes flooding back. In an attempt to save a suppressed memory, he records himself telling the story of a haunting event. 41 years ago, when William was an advisor at a summer camp, a 14-year-old boy got lost, never to be found again. Will’s manifesto is full of lies, dead ends, artificial memories, and apologies for something he can’t quite put his finger on.

Paul Hopkins as William Malone
Dennis Massmann as Charlie
Sophie Ziegler as Maria, William's daughter
Johanna Engelbrecht as Martha, William's wife

Kirsten Hertel, who organised the first UNESCO Cities of Literature Short Play Festival at the University of Heidelberg in July 2016, is reciprocating by bringing a group of her students to perform their work in New Zealand. She is delighted that the festival and creative networking idea now continues in Dunedin, and thanks Stuart Young for having taken on the big task of organising the second UNESCO Cities of Literature playfest.

Playwright: Paul Liedvogel Director: Timothy Williams