Red Mole on the Road

By 1979 alternative theatre troupe Red Mole were back in hometown New Zealand, although they would soon return to the United States. Sam Neill's film mixes documentary and whimsy, as it follows Red Mole on a Kiwi tour — from small towns to Auckland, with surrealistic sightings on the roadside. As they near the big smoke, Red Mole founder Alan Brunton reveals a rare moment of anxiety over filling the 1300-seat His Majesty's Theatre. Sam Neill had done time as a travelling actor in schools before directing the film. In this backgrounder, ex Red Mole member Martin Edmond explores Red Mole on screen and on the road.