An Iliad

Starring Michael Hurst and Shayne P. Carter
Written by Lisa Peterson and Denis O’Hare
Directed by Jonathon Hendry

Following a triumphant Herald Theatre season which left audiences stunned, 'An Iliad' returns to the Auckland stage for just one day and night at the Bruce Mason Centre, in Takapuna. New Zealand’s own master storyteller, Michael Hurst, delivers an epic performance alongside rock maestro Shayne P. Carter (Straitjacket Fits, Dimmer) in a brilliant and thrilling re-imagining of Homer’s masterwork. An Iliad plays just two performances – a rare weekday public matinee and an evening performance, on Friday 21 February.

A sole performer is joined on stage by a musician to tell the tale of the great Trojan War and Achilles’ victory over brave Hector. This sweeping and powerful story collides with our world and delivers startlingly modern results.

Written by powerhouse US duo Lisa Peterson and Tony Award-winning Denis O’Hare, An Iliad was met with critical acclaim at its 2011 US premiere, taking home the prestigious Obie and Lucille Lortel Awards in 2012. Prior to an acclaimed season at Auckland’s Herald Theatre last year, the play was lauded during a sell-out season in Dunedin, winning three major awards for sound design, performance, and production of the year at the 2018 Dunedin Theatre Awards.

In this production, Hurst and his exceptionally cool collaborator Carter embody the passion, fury and enthralling intensity of one of the world’s most revered and remembered classic texts. Riffing off one another, the two deliver a combination that even the gods would approve of, with Hurst playing the derelict Poet with commanding yet mischievous prowess, while Carter creates an inspired real-time soundscape live on stage.

"Homer’s masterpiece, flawlessly enacted by a master storyteller." – Theatreview

With superb direction by Jonathon Hendry, An Iliad delivers an unrivalled contemporary take on one of the greatest stories ever told. It’s a play that Hendry has been keen to direct ever since seeing the original performed at the NZ International Arts Festival in Wellington.“The playwrights have allowed us to reimagine their work to create urgency, immediacy and a rock sensibility with thrilling results," says Hendry.

"Sparkling lyricism and exquisite tenderness." – NZ Herald

"Watching Hurst and Carter in An Iliad is to feel not only the presence of the muses but to witness the gods." – Theatrescenes

Book now to experience the passion and darkness of this spine-tingling tale depicted by two New Zealand legends.

Based on Homer's The Iliad. Translated by Robert Fagles
By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia, exclusive agent for Dramatists Play Service, Inc.