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Otago Daily Times
a few seconds ago
- Otago Daily Times
Unique solo show to visit Dunedin
New Zealand's Indian Ink Theatre Company returns to Dunedin, bringing its acclaimed show Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream to the Regent Theatre on September 5. Written by Indian Ink founders Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, and directed by Lewis, the production combines theatre, comedy, puppetry and music. It showcases Rajan's unique solo performance talents, channelling seven characters, while weaving a story of the afterlife with a dash of Bollywood into the real-life mystery of India's vanishing vultures. Rajan will be accompanied on stage by a crafted life-size vulture, created and puppeteered by Jon Coddington. Speaking by phone to The Star , Rajan said the show was written prior to the Covid-19 pandemic and planned performances in the South Island had been disrupted by lockdowns in 2020. "So, we are doing one-off shows in Nelson and Dunedin to ensure that audiences there get the chance to experience our story," Rajan said. Indian Ink was committed to the live theatre experience, so did not tend to film or stream its shows, which meant that Dunedin people would have one chance to see Paradise or the Impermanence of Ice Cream . "The masks and the puppetry really work best in a live context, so we hope people will come out to the theatre and enjoy it with us." The idea for the show came to himself and Lewis during a visit to the Indian city of Mumbai in 2019, Rajan said. The pair were captivated by the city, its people and its secrets — in particular, the mystery of India's vanishing vultures, one of the fastest mass extinctions of all time. "So, we found a way of folding this into our story of Kutisar, whose passage from this world to the next depends on the guidance of a vulture." A rebellious young woman from Mumbai's enigmatic Parsi community — a people whose faith is entwined with the vulture — holds the key that may yet deliver him. "As always, we use the concept of the 'serious laugh' in the show, which is to get people chuckling and then slip in something serious," Rajan said. While Rajan acted out the show's various characters solo, he would be accompanied on stage by Coddington and the "incredible" vulture puppet. "The vulture is absolutely gorgeous, Jon has outdone himself this time. "It is an absolute scene stealer throughout the show — it can be very hard to compete with." Given Indian Ink regularly tours its shows overseas as well as around New Zealand, the Auckland theatre company creates minimalist productions, enhanced with projection and "incredible" sound design. "Everything we need for Paradise ... fits into seven suitcases, so it's relatively easy for us to take it anywhere," Rajan said. "The design of the show means that the stage still feels very full though — I'm really looking forward to having the large space of the Regent stage to play on."
Otago Daily Times
a few seconds ago
- Otago Daily Times
Steps taken to improve men's mental health
Young runners are rallying for wellbeing. The Heavy Breathers, a Dunedin-based group of 51 university students, will once again line up for the Emerson's Dunedin Marathon on September 14, to raise money for men's mental health. In 2024, the first iteration of the fundraising group raised $110,000 for mental health. Several younger brothers of the original group are taking part this time, including Ben Norris, Ieremia Morris and Jack Callear. This time the group is partnering with Lads Without Labels, a student-led mental health and wellbeing charity. Ieremia Morris said the money raised will be split between providing funds for free counselling and creating a Dunedin community event. Heavy Breathers member Ben Norris said funds raised would depend on what the Dunedin event would be. "But it will be some kind of community event to promote men's mental health." The group has been preparing for the marathon by training together. Sometimes that has been in larger groups, but they have also developed a 'three for three' challenge to widen participation. Supporters complete a 3km walk, ride or run, nominate three friends to do the same and post on social media with the group tagged. "Just to like get people moving and raise awareness," Mr Norris said. The group has already increased its fundraising target as donations continue to come in. They have now raised close to $11,000 on their Givealittle page. The group has also launched a Heavy Breathers Breathe Bro Tee as a fundraiser, available on Instagram by searching Heavy Breathers. A fundraising gig in collaboration with Dunedin promoter Summit Touring is taking place on Saturday, August 23 at Dropkicks. Break the Silence will feature electronic artists including Solid Grooves, Ruby, Horsemen and Hatrick, with all proceeds going to Lads without Labels. Taking part in the marathon as a fundraiser was about awareness as much as dollars, reflecting that poor mental health is common among students and that taking a first step can be hard for young men. "There's just so many different ways in Dunedin that you can just get everyone together and supporting the cause at the same time. "It is pretty cool how we are all like a community, just sort of living close, it is bringing people together and connecting," Mr Norris said. • To give, visit and search for Heavy Breathers.
Otago Daily Times
a few seconds ago
- Otago Daily Times
Hiroshima ginkgo survived atomic bomb
Yasuda Girls' High School teacher Ayako Ando, of Hiroshima, speaks of the importance of peace and friendship. PHOTOS: SAM HENDERSON Living symbols of peace have taken root at Seacliff. About 30 people gathered at Truby King Recreation Reserve on Saturday to plant a ginkgo tree to mark the atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the final days of World War 2. Waikouaiti Coast Community Board chairman Alasdair Morrison began the ceremony with a minute's silence at 11.02am, the exact moment on August 9, 1945, when a plutonium bomb destroyed Nagasaki. "We are here this morning to remember and reflect." Dunedin-Otaru Sister Cities Society secretary Nathan Woodfield, of Dunedin, speaks of the strong bond between the two cities. Yasuda Girls' High School teacher Ayako Ando, visiting with Hiroshima students on a two-week exchange with Otago Girls' High School, spoke of the responsibility to pass on history's lessons to younger generations. Planting the ginkgo was a powerful gesture linking two cities an ocean apart. "I hope this tree will grow tall and strong and that students in this city that pass by it in the future will pause and reflect, not only on Hiroshima's past, but on the hope it represents." Dunedin-Otaru Sister City Society secretary Nathan Woodfield reflected on 45 years of ties with Japan. Waikouaiti Coast Community Board member Mark Brown, of Dunedin, guides others to shovel soil on the base of a newly planted Ginkgo biloba tree grown from seeds of a tree that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. "As we plant this tree together, a descendant of a tree in Hiroshima that experienced the terrible rays of an atomic bomb, we can together commit to making sure that this tree here never sees such tragedy." After the speeches, people laid soil at the base of the ginkgo, which joined two others already planted in the reserve. All three trees are direct descendants of a Ginkgo biloba that survived the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. Seeds from this tree were given in 2017 by the Green Legacy Hiroshima initiative to Dunedin Botanic Garden, with support from the Rotary Club of Dunedin Central.
