Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University Master of Theatre Arts in Directing, final year student Kat Thomas directs Sarah Kane's profound and disturbing play Blasted.

The legacy of Kane's first play hardly needs explanation. In London, on January 18 1995, in the intensified small space of the Royal Court Theatre upstairs, 65 people witnessed what some term the "rebirth of British theatre." Like its title, Kane's play demonstrated a stylistic rupture into the low-key naturalism which had dominated mid 90s British theatre.Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University Master of Theatre Arts in Directing, final year student Kat Thomas directs Sarah Kane's profound and disturbing play Blasted.

The legacy of Kane's first play hardly needs explanation. In London, on January 18 1995, in the intensified small space of the Royal Court Theatre upstairs, 65 people witnessed what some term the "rebirth of British theatre." Like its title, Kane's play demonstrated a stylistic rupture into the low-key naturalism which had dominated mid 90s British theatre.Racist, foul mouthed journalist Ian (Patrick Davies (Ground)) and a much younger girl, Cate (final year acting student Martine Gray), enter a fancy hotel room in Leeds. Halfway through, a soldier (Andrew McKenzie) enters the hotel. Without shifting location, we seem to be in the middle of a genocide.

Blasted is a play loaded with controversy - the tabloid outrage, its supposed 'catalogue of atrocities' So why do it?

Director Kat Thomas: "Blasted is a bold piece that uses literal force to challenge the way we view the world. Yes, it is a text that speaks to civil war, sexual violence, theatrical conventions, but it does offer another way of seeing that emerges from this suffering and nothingness. I find it beautifully optimistic in its sombre form". Blasted affirms love and hope in the darkest moments of human existence.

Blasted is also a compelling theatrical experience - this production takes place in the basement space at Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, and is designed by final year design student Tureiti Nelson, who has created a design which speaks to both the horror and beauty of the text. This graduation production of Kane's 'experiential' text is sure to make the audience feel the extreme discomfort and distress of the characters.

Contains content that will offend

Toi Whakaari's 2008 GRADUATION SEASON
Sarah Kane's Blasted

Starring Martine Gray, Patrick Davies and Andrew McKenzie.
Directed by Kat Thomas.
Design by Tureiti Nelson, Lighting by Paul Tozer, Sound by Samantha Mott.

When: Wed 1 - Sat 4 October 2008, 8:30pm
Where: Basement Theatre , Te Whaea National Dance & Drama Centre,
11 Hutchison Road, Newtown
Price: $15 / $10
Bookings: 04 381 9253 (automated line)

Compassion and cruelty strangely collide

Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School and Victoria University