★★★★1/2 - Sydney Morning Herald
“Totally engaging. A must-see production” – Ewen Coleman, Stuff.co.nz
“Eerie, thrilling and totally engrossing” - Theatreview
Winner of Director of the Year (Jane Yonge) and nominated for both Production of the Year and Outstanding Performer of the Year (Stella Reid) at the 2017 Wellington Theatre Awards, The Basement Tapes makes its way to Basement Theatre following two sell-out seasons in Wellington and a critically acclaimed stint at the 2017 Melbourne Fringe Festival.
Following her Grandmother’s death, a girl faces the overwhelming task of clearing out the basement. She discovers a series of tapes with recordings made by her Grandmother. However, as the girl hears these tapes for the first time, things start to unravel as waves of secrets and memories are confessed. But is the Grandmother a reliable narrator? Is the girl any more trustworthy?
Inspired by podcasts and Canadian theatre-maker Robert Lepage’s comment that radio is the most visual medium, this part audio work, part live performance brings the past into the present through mixed media. As the granddaughter hears these tapes for the first time, both audience and performer fight not to drown among the waves of secrets and memories in the basement.
Winner: Outstanding Performance – Stella Reid (NZ Fringe Festival 2017)
Winner: Director of the Year – Jane Yonge (Wellington Theatre Awards 2017)
Winner: Melbourne Fringe Tour Ready Award (NZ Fringe Festival 2017)
Nominated: Production of the Year (Wellington Theatre Awards 2017)
Nominated: Best Performance (Melbourne Fringe Festival 2017)
Nominated: Best Directed Chaos (NZ Fringe Festival 2017)
Nominated: Best of Fringe (NZ Fringe Festival 2017)
Nominated: Outstanding Performer of the Year – Stella Reid (Wellington Theatre Awards 2017)
Contains flashing lights and coarse language.
IMPORTANT
Please arrive 15 minutes before show start time. Latecomers admitted into the theatre at Basement's discretion – no refunds will be given.
