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Adelaide Fringe: The Road That Wasn’t There

A story from the twitchy edges of children’s literature – a dark world reminiscent of Coraline and Pan’s Labyrinth.

In New Zealand there are some 56,000 kilometres of paper roads – streets and towns that exist only on surveyors’ maps. Or do they?

The Road That Wasn't ThereAward-winning New Zealand theatre company Trick of the Light are crossing the ditch to bring their dark fairytale The Road That Wasn’t There to the Adelaide Fringe. From playwright Ralph McCubbin Howell and director Hannah Smith, The Road That Wasn’t There will play from February 12th-20th at The Bakehouse Theatre – a curious tale from the shadowy corners of history and the spaces between the lines on the map… 

A young woman strays from the beaten track and finds herself in a paper town. It seems a land of possibility, but she soon discovers that actions taken in the fictional world can have frighteningly real consequences.

The play is rooted in folklore; from lost moa roaming the foothills, to faeries drinking moonshine out the back of Mitre 10. McCubbin Howell says ‘It’s a story from the twitchy edges of children’s literature – a dark world reminiscent of Coraline and Pan’s Labyrinth.”

The Road That Wasn't ThereFor performer Oliver de Rohan the season will be a long overdue home-coming. The Adelaide born theatre-maker has worked on the play since its premiere, performing several seasons overseas, but this will be the first time he has brought this award-winning work back to share with a home crowd. “Adelaide has always been great at embracing new work. I can’t wait to see The Road That Wasn’t There thrill audiences at home the way it has everywhere we’ve performed it.”

Told by three actors and fifty-three puppets, the show features shadow play, live music and a score by award-winning composer Tane Upjohn-Beatson. The play was first performed in Scotland at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, before touring around New Zealand in early 2013, and returning to Wellington in 2014. It was awarded Outstanding New New Zealand Play, Most Promising New Director and Production of the Year at Wellington’s 2013 Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards.

Trick of the Light are one of New Zealand’s hottest young theatre companies, with a track record of popular and critically acclaimed original works. During their time at the Adelaide Fringe they will also be performing their acclaimed one-man show The Bookbinder at the Bakehouse Theatre (12th – 20th February), hot on the heels of sell out seasons in Perth, Melbourne, Sydney and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

The Road That Wasn’t There will be playing at The Bakehouse Theatre at 6pm from February 12th – 20th. For adults and children 10+.

“Thoroughly enchanting and totally engrossing, The Road That Wasn’t There is a must see show for all ages.” – The Dominion Post 

IF there is only one show that you can watch this Fringe, this one is the pick of the crop.” – The Advertiser

“Should attract an audience from 8 to 80 anywhere in the world.” – Theatreview

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