Jane Yonge is a Wellington-based theatre maker and director. In 2015 she graduated with a Master of Theatre Arts (MTA) in Directing from Victoria University and Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.
Jane researched the oral histories of Haining Street, one of Wellington’s most notorious streets. She is using these findings to develop a devised piece about early and contemporary New Zealand Chinese identity. Jane’s primary interest is directing work that speaks to New Zealand’s cultural identity.
Jane has co-written and is directing The Basement Tapes, we caught up with her to find out more.
The Basement Tapes is coming to Summerhall what can you tell us about it?
The Basement Tapes is a domestic thriller with a sprinkling of comedy and horror. The original idea for the work sparked when Stella Reid found a tape recorder while cleaning up her grandmother’s basement. The possibility and mystery of what might have been recorded on the tape recorder became the starting point for the show. The grandmother in the show is fictional!
How did you get involved in The Basement Tapes?
Stella Reid and I were working together as tutors in the theatre department at Victoria University, Wellington, New Zealand. She kept banging on about the workshops that she was doing for this new show called The Basement Tapes. It all sounded very cool. I always made sure to elongate the conversations about Tapes so Stella would know how cool I thought the idea for the show was. And then one day she asked if I would direct it and I was like yes. Actually I was more like YES, but I didn’t yell it because that would have been very uncool.
What is it about the collaborative nature of writing that makes this such a great project to work on?
The writing is a collaborative effort between Stella Reid (performer/producer), Oliver Morse (set design), Thomas Lambert (sound design) and me. I can’t remember any more who wrote what or whose idea which bit was – I like the amalgamation of all of our imaginations. Heaps of the material comes from Stella improvising and making me laugh, and it still makes me laugh.
How does it feel to be at Summerhall?
We’re not at Summerhall yet but I am overwhelmed and thrilled to have the opportunity to present work there. So many amazing shows, such a huge venue – I’m looking forward to spending every day there while I’m in Edinburgh. Friends who have performed at Summerhall for the Edinburgh Festival Fringe describe it as one of the best places in the world.
What’s the one thing about The Basement Tapes that makes it different from all the rest?
The Basement Tapes does indeed feature tapes; the audience sits in the same space with the character to collectively listen to a family mystery unfold, it’s kind of like listening to a podcast with a bunch of strangers…
What would you say to people thinking of coming to see The Basement Tapes?
I’d say: do you like thriller novels? Mysteries? Podcasts? Awkward New Zealand comedy? If your answer to one or more of those questions is yes then you’re in for a treat because The Basement Tapes is a mash up of all of those things.
The Basement Tapes is at Summerhall 1st – 26th August (not 2nd, 13th, 20th)
