Rose Kirkup debuts first solo work

20 March 2017
By Daniela Pavez
Using American pop star Beyoncé as her inspiration, Rose Kirkup will perform her first solo work I Am Tasha Fierce at BATS Theatre in Wellington from 28 March to 1 April.

The play tells the story of Tasha, a small-town girl who moves to the big city to follow her dreams and live as a strong independent woman. Guided and inspired by Beyoncé, Tasha is super-fierce and won’t let anyone get in her way.

The BATS Theatre season will include a Ladies Night - a Winter Woolie performance on Thursday 30 March in association with Te Whare Tiaki  Wāhine Refuge - Porirua/Kāpiti, where patrons are asked to bring along winter woolies for the wahine and tamariki of  Te Whare Taki Wahine refuge.

“It’s about creating theatre with a conscience,” Rose says. “We are going to have fun, have drink specials and have spot prizes from local wāhine-led business. It’s about creating an event where women can support women.”

In 2011, Rose and her husband, Nic Lane, founded Every Cool Lives Here, a Wellington theatre company aiming to produce theatre that reflects the diversity of New Zealand, with an emphasis on marginalised communities. Rose is the artistic director.

Juggling her solo career and her team work is not easy. “I am always running and stressed,” she laughs. “But I’m also happy.”

Theatre for change

“Through theatre, we have the chance to change people’s perspectives and to reconnect with our community by including more people,” Rose says. “Especially people who are pretty much unheard.”

Rose loves to tell stories and empowers the creative voices of marginalised people in New Zealand.

Originally from Upper Hutt, Rose graduated in performance design from Toi Whakaari New Zealand Drama School and Massey University.

Rose is also developing Unflattering Smock, a work in progress about the life of caregivers working in rest homes.

“I worked as a caregiver for nine years with women from different countries, who care for our elderly people,” she says. “They do so much for us and I don’t think we treat them that well. I want to make a show about the women who make our rest homes full of life.”

 Rose Kirkup will perform I Am Tasha Fierce from 28 March and 1 April at BATS Theatre, starting at 8.30pm. Book at BATS Theatre.

Read an artist profile of Rose Kirkup.