Heartbreak Hotel
HEARTBREAK HOTEL
BY ELEANOR BISHOP & KARIN MCCRACKEN
WRITTEN BY KARIN MCCRACKEN
““I defy even the coldest cynic to resist the aching charm of this unapologetically tender two-hander. Hijacks your nervous system and fast-tracks its way into your soul.””
This one is for the young hearts, the old hearts, and the broken hearts. 🏩
Join Karin McCracken as a woman navigating heartbreak and Simon Leary as all the ex-loves in a show studded with lo-fi covers of classic breakup songs, bad tinder dates and attempted fresh starts.
In an exhilarating new performance that brings together vulnerable memoir, famous novels and scientific text, a holistic picture of heartbreak’s impact on our bodies and minds is hilariously and poignantly shared.
Heartbreak Hotel is a new work from creative partnership Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken, winners of the 2022 Bruce Mason Award. Enjoy a generous, funny and reflective work that explores the benefits of letting ourselves truly feel something: the good, the bad and the heartbreaking.
You’ll want to cry. You’ll want to laugh. Welcome to the Heartbreak Hotel.
“Karin McCracken is, quite simply, brilliant. She’s hilarious, heartwarming and moving – often all at once.”
Photo by Andi Crown
“With razor-sharp writing and masterfully naturalistic acting, EBKM creates an awe-inspiring, cathartic performance on heartbreak and loss.”
AWARDS
Actor of Year (Karin McCracken) Wellington Theatre Awards 2024
Sound Design of the Year (Te Aihe Butler) Wellington Theatre Awards 2024
PRESENTATIONS
Hawkes Bay Arts Festival, 26 October 2023
Q Theatre, 28 November - 2 December 2023
Taranaki Arts Festival, 13 June 2024
BATS Theatre Wellington, 18 - 23 June 2024
Edinburgh Festival Fringe at Summerhall, 1 - 26 August 2024
Photo by Andi Crown
““A beautifully constructed piece, performed with humour and intelligence.””
Photo by Andi Crown
CREATIVE TEAM
Created by Eleanor Bishop & Karin McCracken
Performers - Karin McCracken & Simon Leary
Written by Karin McCracken
Director - Eleanor Bishop
Production & Light Designers - Filament Eleven 11
Sound Designer - Te Aihe Bulter
Stage Manager - Natasha Thyne
Producer - Melanie Hamilton
The development of Heartbreak Hotel was supported by Creative New Zealand, Hawkes Bay Arts Festival, Hannah Playhouse Trust, Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington, and Playmarket. Q season supported by Waipapa Taumata Rau, The University of Auckland.