The Griegol

A NOTE FROM THE DIRECTOR

The Griegol is a made up name for a made up monster, and it’s a show we made up for a number of reasons. It wouldn’t be what it is if we hadn’t made it over lockdown. If my Dad hadn’t died. If Ralph’s cousin hadn’t.

We’ve been wanting to bring the show back for some time, and this season has an unexpected resonance as this month we lost our friend and colleague Rose Kirkup who co-designed the show and was an absolute ragelord force in the Wellington theatre community. We had an email from Rose just a few weeks ago about a new project they were planning in which they wrote “I want to see my leaving as a joyful thing – a gift to us all to remember to love is to suffer and suffering is love.” This show is inspired in part by the sadness that accompanies death, but also by the love, the joy, the unspeakable wonders that life offers us.

It has been a long process to get here with this show, and we are never really done processing – we hope to continue touring it, and I expect we will keep tinkering with it for years to come. We would love to hear your feedback. Find us on Facebook at trickofthelighttheatre, on Instagram @trickofthelightnz, or fill out the form at the end of this page.

You can find out more about the show including trailers, past seasons, and behind the scenes videos on our full show page here.

Ngā mihi nunui,

Hannah

This show is dedicated to the memory of Ian Smith and Ella Martin (nee Howell).

ABOUT THE COMPANY

Trick of the Light is an award-winning theatre company from Aotearoa / New Zealand founded by Hannah Smith & Ralph McCubbin Howell. Our works include The Road That Wasn’t There (Outstanding New NZ Play, Most Promising Director and Production of the Year – Wellington Theatre Awards 2013; Children’s Event Award – Fringe World, Perth 2016; Best Children’s Event – Adelaide Fringe 2016), The Bookbinder (Best of the Fringe – NZ Fringe 2014, International Excellence Award – Sydney Fringe Festival 2014, BDO Children’s Theatre Award – Fringe World, Perth 2015), and Suitcase Show. At the 2022 Wellington Theatre Awards, The Griegol was awarded Director, Composer, and Production of the Year.

BECOME A PATRON

We’ve been making and touring original work around the world for over a decade. But opportunities for arts funding are shrinking. Whilst we’re incredibly grateful for the support we have received, in the last couple of years we’ve been funded less than half what we’ve sought from CNZ to support our ongoing activity. 

We’re looking to build a patron base to continue making and touring work to audiences like you. The Griegol was made to play across borders. We’d love to take it from Aotearoa to the world, particularly to the Edinburgh Fringe which has launched our works in the past.

If you have the means, and would like to help us get there, to create new work, and continue our green theatre advocacy, we’d love to invite you to become a patron through regular support or a one-off donation.  Visit our patron page through the link below or drop us a email at contact@trickofthelight.co.nz – we’d love to have a chat.