It's still round: Papakura hosts The Ball

Papakura’s leading arts venue has been granted the rights to display The Ball – the infamous sphere that started the whole Underarm rift between New Zealand and Australia.

The ball is on display in the customer services area at Papakura District Council – well away from cricket-mad customers who might otherwise be tempted to make off with such an iconic piece of cricketing history.

Hawkins Centre’s 2008 season of professional productions starts Saturday February 16 with a gala opening night for the popular sporting comedy play The Underarm.

“Mate, to be granted the chance to display this ball in Papakura is a huge feather in our caps.”

Preparations for the gala opening night are almost complete, and ticket sales are right on track.

“This is going to be something special and we are getting enquiries from all over Auckland. I’ve even been out to the 20-20 cricket handing out flyers – bravely wearing the Australian cricket colours!”

Already popular for dance, theatrical and school musical, performances, the Centre’s 300-seat air-conditioned theatre is this year embarking on an exciting programme of community and professional performances.

The Underarm, written by Justin Gregory and David Geary, is a two-person theatre production starring Christopher Brougham and Alan Brunton (Facelift), directed by Geoff Pinfield (Maui, and The Magic Chicken), and written by David Geary (Lovelock’s Dream Run ) and Justin Gregory.

The show appeals to all ages and interests and tells the story of two brothers torn apart by conflicting views of the infamous 1981 cricketing incident during a one-day test between Australia and New Zealand. Kiwi Col and Aussie Don are brothers from a family split in two as a result of the most infamous act in sporting history – The Underarm.

On that day in 1981, Kiwi World Series hopes were dashed at the last ball of the match which was delivered by Trevor Chappell as an under-arm bowl, making it all but impossible to score the six runs required to draw the match let alone win it.

Past and present New Zealand and English cricket players and administrators, along with the Beige Brigade and representatives from the Barmy Army are set to converge on Papakura for the gala opening night on Saturday 16th February 2008, the day after New Zealand plays England in a one-day match, and throughout the remaining seven show season which ends on the 23rd.

Tickets for The Underarm are now on sale and can be purchased from Papakura Paper Power or by phoning 0800 4 TICKETS (0800 484253) or at www.ticketdirect.co.nz