Firing the Canon presents a selection of plays from Aotearoa New Zealand’s massive back catalogue – plays that are important to our history, plays that represent the best of the best, and plays that are just plain cool – and pairs them up with Basement Theatre artists new and familiar. Some of these plays are having their Auckland debut, some their Basement debut, and some are old favourites having fresh and exciting new outings. The common theme? They're all from New Zealand, and they speak not to just the history of theatre, but to our own history.

The plays are:
Glide Time by Roger Hall (Tuesday July 8)
Smashed by Tāwhi Thomas (Wednesday July 9)
Rēwena by Whiti Hereaka (Thursday July 10)
The Packer by Dianna Fuemana (Friday July 11)
Cow by Jo Randerson (Saturday July 12)

All these readings are free, produced by arrangement with Playmarket NZ, and proudly supported by Auckland Council and the City Centre Targeted Rate

Firing the Canon: Glide Time by Roger Hall - Tuesday 8 July
75 minutes
Language warning

A ground breaking comedy, with serious undertones. Life in the stores board of a department of the NZ Public Service. The action covers one working day, though the day is spread over several weeks. The play examines the lives of those forced to work with each other every day in a job none of them likes.

Roger Hall's Glide Time changed the face of New Zealand theatre when it premiered back in 1975, and was later adapted into the hit series Gliding On. It makes its Basement Theatre debut with this reading.

This reading is presented by arrangement with Playmarket NZ.

Director: Sean Rivera
Producer: Sam Brooks
Presented By: Smoke Labours Productions

Firing the Canon: Smashed by Tāwhi Thomas - Wednesday 9 July
50 minutes
Language warning

A spunky crew of teens work, groove, laugh and fight their way into the future in a punchy series of short theatrical vignettes with a theme of kids under pressure. School's out, Mum and Dad have gone… it’s time to party!

A dark comedy written by Tāwhi Thomas, whose other plays include Have Car Will Travel and Hui.

By arrangement with Playmarket NZ.

Producer: Sam Brooks
Presented By: Smoke Labours Productions

Firing the Canon: Rēwena by Whiti Hereaka - Thursday 10 July
50 minutes

Maggie, the proprietress at the local gastro pub, The Thymus of the Lambs, is holding a class in Rewena making on the night of the final of popular reality TV series A Baker’s Dozen. Rumour has it that the local boy finalist, Neill, was taught to cook by Maggie in this very kitchen; but Maggie’s not one to gossip.

Rēwena is written by award-winning playwright and novelist Whiti Hereaka, and premiered at Centrepoint Theatre in 2013. Her novels include Kurangaituku and Bugs.

By arrangement with Playmarket NZ.

Producer: Sam Brooks
Presented By: Smoke Labours Productions

Firing the Canon: The Packer by Dianna Fuemana - Friday 11 July
50 minutes

A play about Shane, a white trash 'westie', is an unflinching look at suburban life 'in the hood'. Gin, post, speed - everyone's got their poison - and mixed up with their culture clashes, next-door neighbours and sexual politics, it's a potent combination.

The Packer has received acclaim in New Zealand, Edinburgh, Melbourne and Sydney. Dianna Fuemana is a playwright with Samoan and Niueana heritage and her plays include Mapaki and Birds.

Producer: Sam Brooks
Presented By: Smoke Labours Productions

Firing the Canon: Cow by Jo Randerson - Saturday 12 July
50 minutes

All Beth wants to do is make a cow out of leaves, but her efforts are thwarted by, amongst others, a father who thinks he's a cat, an interfering yuppie couple and a loud American tourist. A black comedy set on a farm, written by Pōneke icon and New Zealand theatre legend Jo Randerson.

By arrangement with Playmarket NZ. Cow was originally commissioned by the Young & Hungry Theatre Trust with support from Creative New Zealand.

Director: Nī Dekkers-Reihana
Producer: Sam Brooks
Presented By: Smoke Labours Productions