Transmission, a verbatim play by Stuart McKenzie, co-directed with Miranda Harcourt, offers an unprecedented insight into how governmental decisions are made at a time of crisis. Based on 20 hours of interviews with the then Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern, Deputy Prime Minister Grant Robertson and epidemiologist Michael Baker, the play explores how monumental decisions were made here in Aotearoa at the beginning of the worldwide pandemic, when nobody knew the full extent of the threat. Premiering in 2021 to rave reviews, Transmission’s tour was cut short by a Covid lockdown. McKenzie and Harcourt talk about the making of Transmission. Actors Sophie Hambleton and Tim Spite join them to present scenes from the original script.

Supported by Playmarket.

AUCKLAND WRITERS FESTIVAL 2023, WAITUHI O TĀMAKI SATURDAY 20 MAY 2023 – 2.30-3.30PM HUNUA ROOM, AOTEA CENTRE