The best of the best at Clarence St Theatre for Season09

Fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the best of New Zealand theatre right here in Hamilton at the Clarence St Theatre in 2009.

Season09is a biennial theatre subscription which runs on alternate years to FUEL Festival of NZ Theatre. The inaugural subscription, Season07, was held in 2007 and featured three productions sourced from Auckland and Wellington.

Hamilton City Council Event Facilities Manager Mark Christie said Hamilton City Theatres has collaborated with some of the country's best theatre production companies to bring three productions to Hamilton for Season09 which ordinarily wouldn't have shown here.

"This was driven by our desire to put together a creative programme for the city which supports audience development. It also aligns with the city's Creativity and Identity Strategy," he said.

Running from February to August 2009, Season09 will include 'Te Karakia' (a love story of religious and racial challenge, forgiveness and hope, set amidst the maelstrom of the 1981 Springbok Tour) on 25-28 February; 'Four Flat Whites in Italy' (following recently retired librarians Adrian and Alison as they face the excitement of a holiday in la bella Italia) on 15-18 July; and 'Whero's New Net' (the story of Whero Mahana, a musician with songs of grit and tears pulsing through her veins, who travels to London to chase a dream far away from New Zealand) on 5-8 August.

Albert Belz who is the playwright for both 'Te Karakia' and 'Whero's New Net', was the recipient of the Bruce Mason Playwright Award in 2008, while Roger Hall, playwright of 'Four Flat Whites in Italy', is one of New Zealand's most admired playwrights.

"To be able to offer this calibre of theatre in Hamilton is a great honour for us and we hope the public will seize this wonderful opportunity," said Mr Christie.

"Season09 is definitely setting the benchmark for this subscription series and we hope to continue to grow and develop the subscription in future years."

Fans keen to secure their seats for Season09 can purchase gold (three show) and silver (two show) subscriptions now through TicketDirect. The offer for gold subscriptions close on Friday 27 February at 5pm, while the offer for silver subscriptions close on Friday 17 July at 5pm. Individual purchases are also available.

For more information on Season09 visit www.hamiltontheatres.co.nz