Suitcase Show

A traveller arrives at a border with a stack of battered cases. From within them, whole worlds will emerge…

“A masterful weaving of stories… Crafty as all hell” -Art Murmurs, Wellington


Suitcase Show is an eclectic box set of short stories. Dark, spiky, and comic, each one is told out of a suitcase. The staging is inventive, from lo-fi shadowplay to wireless projection, from dancing disembodied hands to narratives that crackle from a 70s stereo suitcase.  Tiny in scale, but expansive in story, it touches on climate change, love and death, travel, and secrets that we carry with us – an overthrown autocrat finds themselves on the run from their own shadow, an astronaut turns their telescope back on earth and back in time. The work was developed through a series of showings in unusual site-specific spaces, from a pub to a photography darkroom.  

Trick of the Light is renowned for crafting inventive shows and intricate narratives. Suitcase Show reunites multi-award-winning collaborators Hannah Smith, Ralph McCubbin Howell, Tane Upjohn-Beatson, and Filament 11 Eleven

“Weaves a bright, dark magic.” ★★★★ —The Scotsman, UK

 


Director - Hannah Smith
Writer - Ralph McCubbin Howell 
Performers
- Ralph McCubbin Howell, Hannah Smith, with Anya-Tate Manning and Richard Falkner
Sound Design and Composition
- Tane Upjohn Beatson with additional composition by Robyn Bryant
Lyrics by
- Ralph McCubbin Howell
Production and Technical Design collaborators
- Brad Gledhill & Rachel Marlow (Filament Eleven 11)
Videography
- Dean Hewison
Craft & Prop Design
- Hannah Smith, Ralph McCubbin-Howell, Rebekah de Roo, Romina Menses and Emory Otto
Poster Design - William Duignan


Produced by Trick of the Light Theatre and presented as part of the PANNZ (Performing Arts Network New Zealand) touring programme.


Running time: 55 minutes

This is an adult work but is suitable for audiences aged 12 and up. Contains haze, flashing lights, references to death and depictions of violence.

Show Dates and Bookings

Hamilton Arts Festival

Riverlea Theatre

Friday, 28th February - 7pm

Hamilton Arts Festival

Riverlea Theatre

Saturday, 1st March - 6.30pm

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival

Loft, Q Theatre

Thursday, 6th March - 8pm

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival

Loft, Q Theatre

Friday, 7th March - 8pm

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival

Loft, Q Theatre

Saturday, 8th March - 8pm

Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival

Loft, Q Theatre

Sunday, 9th March - 2pm

Whāngarei

ONEONESIX

Tuesday, 11th March - 6.30pm

Whāngarei

ONEONESIX

Wednesday, 12th March - 6.30pm

Kerikeri

Turner Centre

Thursday, 13th March - 8pm

Kerikeri

Turner Centre

Friday, 14th March - 8pm

Hawke's Bay

Opera House, Toitoi Events Centre

Wednesday, 19th March - 7.30pm

Hawke's Bay

Opera House, Toitoi Events Centre

Thursday, 20th March - 7.30pm

Carterton Events Centre

Taratahi Auditorium

Saturday, 22nd March - 7.30pm

Wellington

Hannah Playhouse

Wednesday, 26th March - 6.30pm

Wellington

Hannah Playhouse

Thursday, 27th March - 6.30pm

Wānaka Festival of Colour

Lake Hawea Hall

Monday, 31st March - 6pm

Wānaka Festival of Colour

Lake Hawea Hall

Tuesday, 1st April - 6pm

Wānaka Festival of Colour

Lake Hawea Hall

Tuesday, 1st April - 8.30pm

Dunedin Arts Festival

Allen Hall

Friday, 4th April - 7pm

Dunedin Arts Festival

Allen Hall

Saturday, 5th April - 7pm