Earthquakes & Butterflies - 7th Anniversary Theatre Event

22-25 February 2018 at ChristChurch Cathedral Transitional New Zealand

Thurs 22 Feb 8pm
Friday 23 Feb 1pm & 8pm
Sat 24 Feb 3pm & 8pm
Sun 25 Feb 2pm & 7pm

Wickcandle & Imagine Theatre Presents 'Earthquakes & Butterflies'.

A 7th Anniversary Theatre Event: Theatre of Transformation from the Christchurch Quakes.
By Kathleen Gallagher.
Directed by Helen Moran.
Movement Director Fleur de Thier.

'Earthquakes & Butterflies is a work of profound beauty & healing' - Diane Comer, NZ Books Review.

EARTHQUAKES & BUTTERFLIES is an exciting professional theatre piece directed by Helen Moran, shaped from the life stories of a cluster of people whose lives crisscross like the fault lines under the city. Based on the novel by Kathleen Gallagher, Earthquakes & Butterflies is full of hope, humour and tenderness - strangers help unasked, generosity is freely given and shelter is for sharing.

We are led on a journey through time, place and the world of spirit to a way of healing. The play is layered in metaphor with the underlying world view of Maori myth showing the power of Earthquakes as personified in nature, and the hope of the butterfly, facing and accepting changes through the metamorphoses of life.

This play is performed in traverse with a striking sculptural set by Chris Reddington and a dynamic physical theatre component shaped by Fleur de Thier. Human stories weave through this piece, which is underscored by live taonga puoro, traditional Māori instruments, piano and guitar.

It is significant that the play will be performed in the Transitional Cathedral, a symbol of hope in the city as one of the first buildings to rise out of the brokenness of post-quake Christchurch.The seven actors and two musicians use song, dialogue, action, ritual and movement to give audiences the opportunity to engage with the piece on many levels. This play weaves a spell that is uplifting, transforming and healing for those of us who lived through the quakes, and enlightening for those who did not.