Girls who ‘went up north for a while' have been part of New Zealand folklore for generations.

For decades, pregnant teenage girls were sent away so they could quietly give birth and give up their babies, adopting them out to avoid wrecking their future marriage prospects or shaming their families.

Set in 1958, ‘Up North' tells the story of one of those girls, Maggie (played by Shania Whale), who finds herself in a farmhouse in a remote farming community with a childless couple, Jimmy (Brendon Weatherley) and Evelyn (Shelley Francis).

They are each outcasts in their own way, and they all harbour secrets...

This is a thought-provoking drama about New Zealand life written by Pip Hall – the daughter of playwright Sir Roger Hall – and it asks the viewer the question: 'What would you do if you were in that situation?”

Director Heather Graham has a personal connection to this play, saying: '‘Up North' tells part of my life story – I was one of those babies born out of wedlock in the 1950s and given up for adoption to a childless couple. ‘Up North' has given me the opportunity to bring this ‘birth mother' to life and I hope you enjoy our take on this story”.

‘Up North' opens on Friday, September 16, and runs until September 30. Tickets are on sale now on iTicket, and door sales will also be available.

The Weekend Sun has two double passes to see Up North for two lucky readers who can tell us the name of the playwright?

Enter online at www.sunlive.co.nz under the competition section. Entries must be received by Tuesday, September 13.