World renowned physical theatre and contemporary circus performer Thomas Monckton is back with his Auckland Arts Festival smash-hit: renowned one man show The Artist, blending physical theatre, dynamic clowning, and outrageously funny storytelling. Adding to the already impressive tally of over 100 performances, this highly acclaimed solo show will hit two local arts festivals around the country in October and November culminating with a return season at Q Theatre’s Rangatira, 8 – 12 November.
The Artist is an endlessly appealing story without words for comedy lovers, pranksters and the struggling artiste in all of us. The artist tries to begin his creation process, but the inspiration is lost. The focus strays, the blank canvas terrifies, and the tools have been lost to the bowels of the atelier. For this artist, every task is filled with challenges – chaos is unavoidable.
Originally created at the Ateneum Art Museum (the Finnish National Gallery) by Monckton and Circo Aereo and directed by Sanna Silvennoinen, The Artist is the follow-up to their worldwide smash hit The Pianist. This highly successful production sold-out shows in many theatres and festivals across the world, including London International Mime Festival. It was even performed in front of the Finnish President and The Queen of Holland.
The Artist made its New Zealand premiere in 2020 and has played in Wellington, Hawkes Bay, Dunedin, Wānaka, and Auckland. Following this spring season, the show will cross the ditch to perform at the Sydney Festival in January 2023.
After five years living in Finland, Monckton made the decision to come home in 2021 for the foreseeable future into what he believes is one of the world’s most exciting and sustainable arts environments. Audiences across the country can also catch him in his new show about a juvenile and selfish king. The King of Taking premieres at the Dunedin Arts Festival on 14 October before travelling to the Nelson Arts Festival on 25 October. As part of The Artist’s Auckland season this new work will also be performed in a double bill as a late show on the 11 and 12 November.
Monckton was born in Patea, South Taranaki. He trained for two years at the Christchurch circus school CircoArts and two years at the physical theatre school Lecoq in Paris. His previous works The Pianist, Only Bones v1.0, and Moving Stationery have received many accolades and riotous applause.
THE ARTIST plays:
Tauranga
12 October 2022, 6:30pm
Addison Theatre – Baycourt
As part of ESCAPE Festival
Auckland
8 – 12 November 2022
7:30pm Tuesday – Thursday l 6:30pm Friday – Saturday
Rangatira, Q Theatre
Book at qtheatre.co.nz
New Plymouth
15 November 2022, 6pm
plus schools performances on 16 November
Theatre Royal – TSB Showplace
As part of the SpiegelFest
THE KING OF TAKING plays:
Dunedin
14 – 15 October 2022, 7pm
King’s And Queen’s Performing Arts Centre
As part of Dunedin Arts Festival
Nelson
25 – 26 October 2022, 6.30pm
Nelson Theatre Royal
As part of the Nelson Arts Festival
Auckland
11 – 12 November 2022, 9pm
Rangatira, Q Theatre
Book at qtheatre.co.nz
