MANIAC Bring the Party to Poneke

MANIAC on the Dance Floor is bringing glam, party and pop hits to Wellington - alongside a poignant and empathetic real-life journey. The Auckland-Wellington collaboration is an entirely independently produced theatrical sensation for a burnt out generation.

Fun, flamboyant, and fierce - a fresh take on mental health representation in theatre.

Anna is definitely better. Here's a dance number or seven to prove it. Natasha Lay's MANIAC on the Dance Floor is life in a music video. Back-up dancers, banging tunes and bright lights are all here for Anna (Daedae Tekoronga-Waka), who is here to tell us how she made it through mental illness. An affecting and relatable story based on Lay's lived experience with bipolar, MANIAC is also a high-octane, lo-fi dance party. Lip-sync and vignettes combine to track the highs and lows of the recovery rollercoaster.

Mental illness affects one in six New Zealanders. MANIAC is a dance party for all of us and a celebration of the friends and wh?nau who support us.

After a smash hit season at Auckland Fringe 2018 and making the shortlist for Playmarket's Playwrights b4 25 competition, MANIAC on the Dance Floor is coming to both Auckland and Wellington in Winter 2019.

And she's had a serious glow up.

A fresh production from queer NZ artists - with women of colour at the front and centre.

MANIAC is a a sensational celebration of recovery and friendship created entirely by marginalised voices. To be able to tour this work is vital to its impact. And also Wellington is going to love the party. In order to support the independent artists involved to the best of our ability, we are crowdfunding for the basic touring costs: Flights, accommodation, and a cheeky bit of marketing support. This ground-level support ensures that any Box Office success goes straight to those who put the mahi in to deliver the work:

MANIAC on the Dance Floor

AUCKLAND: 11 - 15 June at Basement Theatre

WELLINGTON: 9 - 13 July at BATS Theatre

Written by Natasha Lay / Dorected by Adam Rohe

Starring Daedae Tekoronga-Waka, Phillip Good & Adam Rohe

Design by Spencer Earwaker / Choreography by Marianne Infante

Assistant Directed by Briar Collard / Produced by Eleanor Strathern

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"The tongue-in-cheek presentation, utilising theatre and music to its full extent, brings a layer to the discussion which is suddenly accessible, playful and exciting." - Chye-Ling Huang, Founder of Proudly Asian Theatre

* Shortlisted for Playmarket's Playwrights b4 25, 2018

* Selected for Creative New Zealand's Tautai Pacific Internship (2019) - Daedae Teokoronga-Waka

* Outstanding Newcomer Award WINNER (Auckland Theatre Awards, 2018) - Choreographer Marianne Infante

* Most Promising Emerging Artist WINNER (NZ Fringe, 2018) - Producer Eleanor Strathern

* The George Webby Most Promising Newcomer Award WINNER (Wellington Theatre Awards, 2018) - Producer Eleanor Strathern