Owls Do Cry

Filled with fierce heart and visual splendour, Red Leap Theatre’s energetic response to Owls Do Cry is a surprising and moving experience delving into the poetic world of Janet Frame and the Withers family. This richly immersive theatre experience will have a lasting impression and is not to be missed.

Rather than creating a direct narrative staging of Owls Do Cry, Red Leap have taken inspiration from Frame’s rich imagery and poetry to create a multi-disciplinary dreamscape. This extraordinary tale is transformed into an exciting devised performance through their signature physical and visual styles, capturing and revealing her still pertinent insights into society.

Created by a powerhouse creative team led by Artistic Director Julie Nolan and Directed by Malia Johnston. Devised and performed by the talented: Ross McCormack, Margaret Mary Hollins, Ella Becroft, Hannah Lynch, Comfrey Sanders and Arlo Gibson.

Please note: This performance contains haze and explores themes of mental health

"Red Leap have taken Frame’s desire for the liberation of imagination and fully honoured it with their work, taking it to a place where it need not be tamed" - Pantograph Punch

"The show throws up a kaleidoscope of deeply evocative images." - NZ Herald

"Owls Do Cry is a stunning and evocative theatrical interpretation that feels modern, innovative and exciting" - Theatre Scenes

"Owls Do Cry is sure to join the roster of the great works of New Zealand theatre. It provides the kind of richly immersive theatre experience that transports your heart and soul to some other zone of aliveness, satisfying you in ineffable ways – the kind of experience you keep going back to the theatre for, despite the rarity of such experience." - Theatreview