Heartbreak Hotel

 

HEARTBREAK HOTEL

 

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. 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.

PRESENTATIONS

“Seamlessly directed and performed, without a hint of sentiment or preachiness or over-realisation…Heartbreak Hotel offers the balm of warmth and authenticity, using a melange of cabaret, stand-up, and the brisk intimacy of a theatrical two-hander, to transform the ineffable mess of life into art ★★★★”
— The Age, Melbourne

  • Hawkes Bay Arts Festival, 26 October 2023

  • Q Theatre 28 November - 2 December 2023

  • Taranaki Winter Fest, 13 June 2024

  • BATS Theatre, 18-12 June 2024

  • Summerhall, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 1-26 August 2024

  • RISING Festival, Melbourne, 10-22 June 2025

AWARDS

  • Actor of the Year (Karin McCracken) - Wellington Theatre Awards 2024

  • Sound Designer of the Year (Te Aihe Butler) - Wellington Theatre Awards 2024

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

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.

CREATIVE

  • 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 Butler

  • Touring Technician - Pete Davison

  • Stage Manager (2023) - Natasha Thyne

  • Producer - Melanie Hamilton