Set in a Chinese-owned fish and chip shop, Two Fish 'n' a Scoop follows a blossoming romance between new employee Jason (Chris Parker) and the owner's daughter, Rhea (Hweiling Ow).
However, their love is threatened by cultural and racial divides as well as pressure from family and friends.
Rhea's father and mother and Jason's thuggish friend Tug are among the characters introduced in the chip shop during the play, which was written by Carl Nixon and directed by Patrick Davies.
Mr Nixon said Two Fish 'n' a Scoop contained comic moments, but "at its heart the play examines some of the darker aspects of Kiwi culture. The theme of race, cultural integration and tolerance are perennial and important.
"I believe that theatre should be dealing with important social issues."
This will be Mr Parker and Ms Ow's first time performing on Fortune Theatre's main stage and on a tour of seven venues in Otago and Southland.
Mr Parker was a graduate of Toi Whakaari Drama School in Wellington and Ms Ow is an Auckland-based actress who played Angkasa in Shortland Street.
• Two Fish 'n' a Scoop is performed in the Queenstown Memorial Hall on Wednesday, June 20 at 7.30pm. Tickets cost $40, senior citizens $32, Fortune Theatre members $30, tertiary students $20, high school pupils $15, group discount (10 plus) $32, from Ticketek.
Picks of the week
Today
7pm: Queenstown singer-pianist-trumpeter Alastair Monteath covers traditional jazz favourites for the Friday Jazz Club in Les Alpes. Free.
8pm: Auckland singer-songwriter-guitarist Simon Da Costa plays debut single There's More to Love and more originals when the national Kiwi Experience tour arrives in Winnies. Free.
8pm: Wellington dub, funk, afro-beat and soul heroes the Black Seeds promote their latest studio album Dust and Dirt and play hits including Sometimes Enough, Cool Me Down and The Answer in the Lake Wanaka Centre. Tickets cost $36 plus booking fee from Eventfinder online and Base Wanaka and NZ Shred in Queenstown. R18.
9pm: Auckland alternative rock trio Rackets and quartet Beach Pigs share the bill in Dux de Lux. Free.
10.30pm: Auckland DJ and producer Eavesdrop, with guest MC Soulyric, takes on Subculture as part of his Backlight EP release tour.
Tomorrow
9pm: Dunedin high-octane rock outfit Black Boy Peaches channel Foo Fighters, the Killers and Muse when they bring their South Island tour to Dux de Lux. Free.
Tuesday
8.30pm: Ashes of Time Redux (1994 and 2008) won critical raves the second time around when its director's cut was released. The Hong Kong martial arts actioner will be screened to Queenstown Film Society members in Dorothy Brown's Cinema and new members can sign up on the night.
