Norpa News

Book now for the award-winning production of Nick Earls' Zigzag Street, which comes to Lismore later this month.

Get ready for laugh out loud funny gags, sharp observation and wry realism when Zigzag Street comes to Lismore.

Nick Earls' award-winning novel is an enormously good read - so real it hurts sometimes, but with enough laughter to more than medicate it.

Richard Derrington is undergoing the kind of shambling implosion of his life that happens when one has well and truly been, as he puts it, "trashed" by someone.

He's washed up in his recently deceased grandmother's workers cottage in inner city Brisbane, afloat in the boxed flotsam of his life, his grandmother's life, and his mother's expectations - he will sort everything out and whip the house into sparkling Heritage shape for her.

It's a bad combination for a heartbroken bloke, struggling with unwanted celibacy and bereft of purpose.

His job as a corporate lawyer is no compensation, and just adds to a catalogue of woes, which includes a cat he doesn't understand the care of, a house that seems too large an undertaking and an emotional and social life devoid of excitement.

His friends are only some comfort, especially as his tennis game gets worse and worse.

But there is light at the end of the tunnel, and plenty of cause for a good old guffaw along the way.

The play, adapted by Phillip Dean, is faithful to the novel - and Nick Earls was one of the first to see it at La Boite Theatre in Brisbane and give it the big thumbs up.

NORPA presents this touring production at the Star Court Theatre in Lismore on June 28 at 8pm and June 29 at 11am and 8pm.

To book tickets, phone the Northern Rivers Ticket Centre on 6621 5600 or for more information visit www.norpa.org.au.

Events and giveaways

• See some cutting edge and award-winning filmmaking at the Star Court Theatre from this month, with NORPA's alternative movie nights. We will be screening flicks that otherwise may not get released here, starting with Young Adam on June 10 at 7pm and June 11 at 4pm and 8pm. This film won the Best New British Feature at the Edinburgh International Film Festival, a swag of awards in the Scottish BAFTAs and a Newcomer of the Year gong at the London Critics Circle Film Awards. It stars Ewan McGregor and Tilda Swinton. Tickets will be $10/8 at the door or $8 for NORPA subscribers on showing your card. Coming soon for July - Tibet, City of the Snow Lion, and Head On, which won the Golden Bear at the 2004 Berlin Film Festival.
• Win a double pass to see Young Adam.  Just tell us why you love films. Put your answer on the back of an envelope with your name, address and telephone number, slip an Echo masthead inside and send it to Young Adam tix, NORPA, PO Box 225, Lismore, NSW, 2480.
• Local dancers and physical theatre artists will be treading the boards of Byron Bay's Community Centre Theatre on Friday and Saturday in the fourth local dance showcase, Big Feet Little Feet. Shows are on at 8pm on Friday, and 2pm and 8pm on Saturday. Tickets are $20/$16.50 concession or $13 for kids and teenagers from the venue, or phone 6685 5659. NORPA subscribers use your card and pay only $16.50.