Helen Moran

Background

About Helen Moran

ONE MAN BANNED PRODUCTIONS is collaborating with Karen Zelas on her new play GEOGRAPHY OF LOSS, to be produced October 15 - 25 at Elmwood Auditorium, Merivale, Christchurch. Martin Howells is directing, and Helen is one of four actors. GEOGRAPHY OF LOSS “I am deeply invested in this play; it is part of me. I’ve worked on the script for eight years, pulling together fragments of past and present, and pushing the boundaries of language and staging to make a compelling and uplifting theatrical experience,” says Karen Zelas. Geography of Loss spans four generations and is made up of dramatic moments that fit together like pieces of a jigsaw. The frame holding these pieces is the love of Deborah and Jack, which has lasted more than fifty years. The play is their story. It brings to life family myths – events recounted over and over that have become part of their heritage and identity. These include the search for a homeland, for safety and peace. As well, the story rests upon the responsibility of survivors and subsequent generations to remember and to give witness. If we go back far enough, all New Zealanders are immigrants, bringing their diverse cultures with them to this country. Not surprising then that our fledgling national identity centres so strongly on the one thing we all have in common, the land – “a certain place of uncertain geography”, as Deborah calls it in the play. The resilience, perseverance and hope in this play will resonate with Christchurch people in the wake of the earthquakes. So many in this community have been made homeless, refugees in their own city, their own country. Bookings for Geography of Loss are now open and can be made online at Ticketing and other information is available on the website.