Lovepuke

We have 8 talented emerging performers who want to bring you a raunchy, unique performance of Lovepuke by Duncan Sarkies, at Lot 23 Studio from 20-23 February, and the Pumphouse Theatre 27 February - 2 March as part of the Auckland Fringe Festival.

Somehow, though it was written in the 90s, writer Duncan Sarkies' script Lovepuke is still accurate to the trials and tribulations of the dating scene for young adults in New Zealand. Sarkies, known for his movie Scarfies and for writing episodes of Flight of the Conchords, seems to tap into deeper truths about relationships, sex, and the search for real love that has kept true through the last two decades. The classic archetypal stories told by the eight characters on stage are kept fresh and new by a fun, fast-paced, non-realistic performance that is sure to have audiences in stitches from the (sometimes too real!) comedy. Lovepuke is being staged by arrangement with Playmarket.

The Cast

Pearangi Creative is proud to present Lovepuke with a diverse cast, names familiar and new to the Auckland Fringe scene: Steph Curtis, Kristen Devine, Maxwell Nicholson, Rhema Sutherland, Rebekah Talsma, Benjamin Teh, Lauren Wilson, Mark Wilson, and stage manager and techie extraordinaire Marianne Martin.

The Director

Director Meg Andrews starred in Lovepuke nearly a decade ago, playing the character of Louise, the stereotyped 'slut'. "I have a fascination with love, relationships and how human beings conduct themselves in love and relationships. Lovepuke gives an honest insight into just a handful of different ways relationships begin and develop. It is an absolute honour to direct such a talented, versatile cast, and I am excited to bring their character's juicy journeys to life for audiences to enjoy, cringe at, and relate to. After performing in Lovepuke myself, I have been craving the opportunity to stage it again."

Meg Andrew's acting credits include performing for Prince Charles and Camilla in Tim Bray's production of Hairy Maclary, a featured role on Shortland Street, being the face of Z Energy's campaign 'Where's Meg', and performing and touring in the 2018 season of Ugly Shakespeare at schools around the country. This year she is also directing the all-female Ugly Shakespeare troupe. She is a graduate of UCOL performing arts school, and South Seas Film and TV School.

Pearangi Creative

Last year Pearangi Creative had a sell-out season of The Iliad at the Pumphouse, which was funded with help from Boosted. Since then the producer of Lovepuke and founder of Pearangi, Claire Ahuriri-Dunning, has had a successful 2018 with her scripts Dracula and Hercules being nominated for Playmarket's ADAM NZ Award and Plays for the Young Award respectively. We have continued to deliver theatre in Auckland since The Iliad, including free children's shows at several Auckland Libraries, and a 10-minute play at Short and Sweet.

What we need

We have support from Auckland Council's Creative Communities Scheme and the Devonport-Takapuna local board, but we need your help to cover the costs of marketing, licence fees for use of the script and music, and venue hire for our rehearsals and performances.

Check out our Facebook page and updates as we lead up to opening night.

Thanks for your support!