The Artefact Project

A collaboration between Playwright and Director Melissa Fergusson and writer David Allnutt, The Artefact Project comprises three short plays, Phobia, Pause, Pie, that tell the story of the platonic relationship of Ruby and Richard over two decades; their past, their present and future, as they ‘divorced, lived, loved, explored, dreamed, mothered and fathered’, each in their own worlds.

1. Phobia – Commitment
2. Pause – Procrastination
3. Pie – Ageing

Fergusson says The Artefact Project is a conversation between two friends whose relationship remains platonic. “This gives them an ability to speak truth about themselves and their feelings without prejudice. It means that through them we can examine the complexities of friendship and ask the question: ‘how do we define boundaries between a man and a woman?’”.

Cast:
Richard – Mark Houston
Ruby – Gina Timberlake

** Please note that there will be limited door sales – first in, first serve until we reach full capacity. We recommend purchasing tickets pre-show through Eventfinder to avoid disappointment.

Profiles:

Melissa Fergusson:
Melissa Fergusson is the Artistic Director and Founder of charlatan clinic which launched in May 2011. Her first work under charlatan clinic, performed June, was Skin Tight by Gary Henderson under Playmarket license, which received critical acclaim:

“Fergusson’s production stands alone among equals, owing little to its predecessors”
- Lexie Matheson, Theatreview

“Melissa Fergusson is a remarkable director… Her direction is beautifully provocative and demanding”
– Orchid Tierney, Rem Magazine

In 2010 Fergusson directed ‘Tipping Point’ for Short and Sweet and won Wild Card 2, and chronicled her first script as a Playwright Motherlock. This was performed was part of Melbourne Fringe, 2010 and Wellington and Auckland Fringe, 2011.

Gina Timberlake:
Gina Timberlake trained at the UK’s Redroofs theatre school and has stage credits including: Grease, Pygmalion, Speed-Daters, Owl and the Pussycat, Humans and most recently "The Secret Life of a Belly Dancer" performed at the Musgrove Studio.

Mark Huston:
Mark Huston has studied ‘Method’ at Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute in London, and most recently ‘Chekhov Technique’ at The Actors Studio in Auckland. Past productions include The Birthday Boy, Scenes from a Separation and They Shoot Horses Don’t They at Howick Little Theatre. Film credits include several 24hr shorts and Stephen Sinclair’s debut feature Russian Snark.