“No one believes in God anymore, but everyone believes in Bach”
Mauricio Kagel
 
“I can't understand why people are frightened of new ideas. I'm frightened of the old ones”
John Cage
Ars Acustica - our avant-garde theatrical music fair in the woods.
 
Surrounded by trees and orchards in the heart of Waltham, we invite you to join us for our first theatrical adventure in Waldheim, Seven Oaks (Waldheim is the Germanic version of Waltham, which translates literally to “home in the woods”).
 
Ars Acustica builds on our earlier successful collaboration The Mauricio Kagel Project (2015), which was presented in the Christchurch Arts Festival. Featuring works by Argentinian composer Mauricio Kagel including “Exotica” and “Ballet for Non-Dancers”, Ars Acustica now also delves into Kagel’s major influence, the pioneer of avant-garde music - John Cage.
 
Directed by Peter Falkenberg in collaboration with UC School of Music under the curatorship of Mark Menzies, NZSO conductor Hamish McKeich and the CSO.

Wednesday 30 January, 8.00pm
Thursday 31 January 8.00pm
Friday 1 February, 8.00pm
Saturday 2 February, 8.00pm
 
Waldheim, Seven Oaks (35 Hassals Lane, Waltham)
Online booking essential
https://www.facebook.com/events/424598381410690/

Instrumental Theatre Workshops and Symposium

In the lead up to Ars Acustica we'll be offering a series of "Instrumental Theatre Workshops" where the participants will create their own Instrumental Theatre performances and this may also provide an opportunity for them or their creations to become part of the project themselves. A Symposium will also take place during the season.
“We performed Cage’s 4’33” during one of Free Theatre’s Ubu Nights when I was down for the project in 2015, these guys really get Cage and his works still have the power to shake up our expectations, to really engage an audience”.
NZSO conductor Hamish McKeich
Interviews

RNZ Checkpoint Friday 21 December "Free Theatre may have found a new home in time for Christmas"