GRASS-ROOTS THEATRE

'Having Curry With A Maori On The Murray'    

 
'Having Curry with a Maori on the Murray' was written by Percy Bishop under the pseudonym Laddie Dean [his middle names] and was the opening performance at the 4th Pacific Wave Festival at Bondi Pavillion Theatre in 2004. Produced by Mike Andrews on a shoe-string budget with the addition of renowned NZ actor Mick Innes, professional lighting design by Inka and the inclusion of Aboriginal and Maori artists and volunteers, the play was a great success. 
 

Arthur is in his sixties, a successful corporate executive with the mineral giant 'Zinc Corp". His only down time is the odd weekend when he gets to fish on the mighty Murray River. It's November 2004 and the day of the Australian Federal elections. It's 5 am, a still and perfect morning. Then a stranger joins him, Laddie Dean. It's one conversation Arthur won't ever forget. Described as a beautiful tragedy, this will lift you, make you laugh, then absolutely shatter you. Revealing, and thought provoking, this jumps right off the stage.

My Mama's Keeper   a one-man play

The second play written by Percy Bishop and performed in 2008. It documents the personal journey of being the primary carer for his mother, a Maori woman in her sixties living with diabeties. At times hilarious, this play became particularly poignant after Bishops' mother passed away soon after the play finished it's run at the Bondi Pavillion Theatre. Later, Bishop continued to perform the play in the family home, where about 120 people experienced grass-roots theatre at it's finest.

 

  

MEDIA RELEASE