Shortly opening in Wellington, Tauranga and Nelson are touring works by two of this country's most well-travelled, and most acclaimed contemporary theatre producers. And boy do they get about.
They are Trick of the Light - led by Ralph McCubbin Howell and Hannah Smith - and EBKM, led by theatremakers Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken. These two pairs write, direct, perform, produce and design as well as employ others.
Trick of the Light have performed their dark fantasy show for older kids and adults, The Griegol in three of the United States as well as nationally. They describe it as "a tale without words about death, love, and monsters."
The company have toured many of their shows extensively. The Bookbinder alone has been in seven countries and at our count something like 70 locations. They've got so good at this they've produced an online Green theatre touring guide.
EBKM are presenting their show Heartbreak Hotel this week in Pōneke Wellington. They're just back from London. That season follows Edinburgh, Melbourne, Reykjavik, St Catherine's Canada, Pittsburgh and Melbourne. Another show Yes Yes Yes is at Nelson Arts Festival as well.
So how do these two companies do it? For them, acclaim and sellouts aren't uncommon, but funding is more variable. How do they make it both successful and sustainable?
Joining Culture 101 are Karin McCracken and Ralph McCubbin Howell.
