The truth is far stranger _{by Madelaine Empson}

A tagline for a show that rings true on all fronts. Antarctic Endeavours, an absurdist play by Ruckus Theatre in collaboration with Believable Arts Management, isn’t just filled with surreal twists and turns – it has a bizarre origin story to boot!

Co-writer and producer Tom Smith, who was brought on to completely rework the script again a month out from opening night, explains that the project had an even crazier beginning than that for director Peggie Barnes and co-writers Ava O’Brien and Alex Quinn. 

“The entire production was essentially gifted to them by another practitioner who had to move cities and pull out entirely. With just a title, a venue booking, and a programme blurb that they couldn’t change, they had to completely invent the show they wanted, while staying within these constraints. Ultimately, Antarctic Endeavours is an amalgamation of themes, scenarios, and characters that each of our creative leaders had always wanted to explore.”

The development season premiered at the 2024 New Zealand Fringe Festival and went down a treat, receiving nominations in multiple categories of the Fringe Awards and winning The Parkin Development Award. With the backing of that accolade, the team are thrilled to open the official premiere season at BATS Theatre from the 13^th to the 17^th of August.

Tom and Suzanne Denborough are in search of a tasteful terracotta townhouse on the outskirts of Antarctica. At least, they think they are. The truth is far stranger…