10 Days On Earth

10 Days on Earth
Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes

Auckland Festival, AK07

If you were alone, but didn't know it, would you feel lonely?

Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes was established in 1986. Canada's foremost artist in puppet theatre, Ronnie has been credited with creating some of the world's most elaborate and provocative puppetry. Ronnie Burkett Theatre of Marionettes has stimulated an unprecedented adult audience for puppet theatre and continuous to perform to great critical and public acclaim on Canada's major stages and as a guest company at international theatre festivals. Ronnie has received numerous awards in the Canadian theatre as a playwright, actor and designer for his work with Theatre of Marionettes.
For Auckland Festival, AK07 he presents a new production, 10 days on Earth. Darrel is a middle-aged mentally retarded man who lives with his mother. When she dies in her sleep, Darrel does not realise she is gone, and so, for ten days, he lives alone. Tandem to Darrel's day to day routine are the adventures of his favorite children's book characters, Honeydog and Little Burp. Their search for a home leads the dog and duck duo to an understanding of family, while Darrel's ease in the world illustrates just how his mother has paved the path for him to be without her. Episodes from the past, like faded colour snapshots from a family album, illustrate this mother's love for her son in all its honesty and fierce, unwavering will. Simple, tender, funny and unapologetic, 10 Days On Earth asks: If you were alone, but didn't know it, would you feel lonely?
"10 Days On Earth -- the latest work from marionette master Ronnie Burkett -- is art of the highest order." Toronto Sun (Toronto, Canada)

"Puppeteer Ronnie Burkett has set the bar so high that it's hard even for him - let alone others - to match his best works.10 Days On Earth is full of his hugely expressive puppets, poignant and witty dialogue and powerful dramatic situations." NOW Magazine (Canada)
"It's theatre magic!" Globe and Mail
"The logistics are mind-boggling, the execution flawless…" Vancouver Sun (Vancouver, Canada)
The Auckland Festival, Ak07 season will precede seasons in Europe and the UK.

Venue: Maidment Theatre, corner of Alfred and Princes Streets, Auckland City
Dates: Wed 14 Mar - Sat 17 Mar
Tickets: $40 - $65
Times: 7:30pm