infonews.co.nz
INDEX
THEATRE

The Artefact Project

Friday 17 February 2012, 1:41PM

By Paul Blomfield PR

569 views

AUCKLAND

2011 was a huge year for Melissa Fergusson with her newly formed theatre organisation, ‘charlatan clinic’, creating two critically acclaimed productions; Motherlock and a rebuild of New Zealand favourite Skin Tight.

Now, 2012 is set to be an even bigger year with two unique productions showcasing in Auckland, before heading offshore.

The first of these, The Artefact Project will premier in Auckland at French Revolver Studio to media and industry on Wednesday 22nd February, with public performance dates from Thursday 23rd until Saturday 25th February, 2012. The show was piloted last year at Letham Gallery to a sell-out audience and is back for a professional season.

A collaboration between Fergusson and writer David Allnutt, The Artefact Project comprises three short plays that tell the story of the platonic relationship of Ruby and Richard over two decades; their past, their present and future, as they ‘divorced, lived, loved, explored, dreamed, mothered and fathered’, each in their own worlds.

Fergusson says The Artefact Project is a conversation between two friends whose relationship remains platonic. “This gives them an ability to speak truth about themselves and their feelings without prejudice. It means that through them we can examine the complexities of friendship and ask the question: ‘how do we define boundaries between a man and a woman?’”.

For this challenging task, Fergusson has cast Gina Timberlake as Ruby and Mark Huston as Richard.
“Gina and Mark have a fantastic chemistry that adds depth and intensity to the performance. Both actors have to maintain a connection as they transition through different phases in life,” says Fergusson.

Gina Timberlake trained at the UK’s Redroofs theatre school and has stage credits including: Grease, Pygmalion, Speed-Daters, Owl and the Pussycat, Humans and most recently "The Secret Life of a Belly Dancer" performed at the Musgrove Studio.

Mark Huston has studied ‘Method’ at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in London, and most recently ‘Chekhov Technique’ at The Actors Studio in Auckland. Past productions include ‘The Birthday Boy’, ‘Scenes from a Separation’ and ‘They Shoot Horses Don’t They’ at Howick Little Theatre. Film credits include several 24hr shorts and Stephen Sinclair’s debut feature ‘Russian Snark’.

Continuing Fergusson’s love of alternative spaces, the performance of The Artefact Project will be held at a new gallery space/hair salon, the French Revolver Studio in Victoria Street West, Auckland – a renovated warehouse loft providing an intimate space for up to 100 guests per show.

The Artefact Project is proudly supported by Suite Bar, Perrier and Broken Shed Vodka.

The Artefact Project
French Revolver Studio (139 - 141 Victoria Street West) 
Thursday February 23rd - Saturday February 25th
Tickets are available through Eventfinder

Further details at www.charlatanclinic.com 

For more information contact:
Melissa Fergusson, Artistic Director, melissa@charlatanclinic.com
Paul Blomfield, PR Representative, Ph: 021 970 871, paul@paulblomfield.com