Acclaimed actors and playwright unite for Nepal

Renowned actors George Henare (CNZM, Once Were Warriors, Nga Tohu: Signatures), Michael Hurst (ONZM, The Tattooist, Hercules), Jennifer Ward-Lealand (ONZM, The Ugly, Full Frontal), Peter Elliott (Captain’s Log, Until Proven Innocent) and Oliver Driver (Under The Mountain, Black Sheep), have responded to the call of playwright Gareth Davies and actor Stephen Lovatt (Top Of The Lake, Neighbours) to present a unique fundraiser called "Nepal Memories".

All involved in "Nepal Memories" are providing their services free of charge. All funds go to the Himalayan Trust, which was established by Sir Edmund Hillary.

Says Gareth, “Stephen and I wanted to do something that echoes New Zealand’s strong connection with the people of Nepal. "Nepal Memories" is based upon favourite selections from the autobiographies of members of the 1953 Everest Expedition team. Peter reads as Sir John Hunt; Oliver as Sir Edmund; Stephen Michael as Wilfrid Noyce, MichaelStepehen as George Lowe, Jennifer as Jan Morris and George as Tenzing.”

Prue Smith, GM of the Himalayan Trust, was in Kathmandu when the earthquake struck, and says, Of the approximately 300 schools we built in the Solu Khumba area, about 200 have been damaged, with 44 totally destroyed, that we know of so far. So we are very grateful that all money raised will go towards the rebuild.”

Nepal Memories will be presented in the

Upper NZI Room, Aotea Centre

50 Mayoral Drive, Auckland CBD, at 7.30pm on Sunday 17 May 2015.

The performance is approximately an hour long and will be followed by an auction in support of the Himalayan Trust's "Rebuild Appeal".

General admission with a Koha/donation of $50 per person.

People can secure a seat in advance by donating $50 per person, to Ffynroc Nepal Memories Givealittle page then emailing the automated receipt from Givealittle to ffynroc@gmail.com, before 5pm Saturday 16th May. Door sales will also be available on the night (eftpos or cash).

This fundraiser is made possible by the generosity of Ffynroc Productions, the 2015 Writers Festival and Auckland Live. It follows the final Writers Festival event from 6pm-7pm which is a free In Conversation event to honour CK Stead’s life and writing.