REVIEW: Mega Christmas (The Basement)

December 17, 2012

The Dotcom Show  [by James Wenley] There is something very fitting about Kim Dotcom being embraced by the acting community. Dotcom, who has transformed from an ‘evil’ internet tycoon to a kiwi folk hero , has been the great story of political theatre that keeps on giving. With a flair for the dramatic himself, and a brilliant media strategy (come […]

REVIEW: Munted (Bare Hunt Collective)

December 5, 2012

Solid [by Matt Baker] From Liz Carpenter and Alana Kelly’s poster design to the un-credited set design in performance, the teacup motif in Munted is both an accurate and elegant metaphor for the fragility and communal aspects of life surrounding the February earthquake. It is also brilliantly used in breaking the fourth wall the moment the audience enters the performance […]

Become a Theatre Philanthropist for Xmas!

November 30, 2012

Worthy causes on PledgeMe [by James Wenley] You know how companies like ATC and Silo list their swanky patrons at the back of their programs? Private giving has long been a very important part of making theatre in New Zealand when audience box office and public funding doesn’t cut it alone. This year crowdfunding sites like New Zealand’s own PledgeMe.co.nz have […]

REVIEW: Where Are You My Only One? (The Basement)

November 29, 2012

Wears its heart on its sleeve [by Matt Baker] The decision to revisit a piece of work is an intriguing endeavour. For David Aston it was based on his belief that Where Are You My Only One? – a piece that he first performed in 2003 as part of Silo Theatre’s To Russia With Love mentoring project for young directors […]

REVIEW: An Awkward Family Christmas (Outfit Theatre Company)

November 23, 2012

The title tells you all [by James Wenley] The ‘awkward’ brand of humour is one well known to audiences. Popularised in modern times by the Ricky Gervais School of comedy, it employs cringe, painful pauses, and a whiff of nastiness to sell its humour. Thomas Sainsbury has long done his own successful spin on the genre, and is a great […]

REVIEW: Chop/Stick (Chairman Meow)

November 22, 2012

A variety meal [by Matt Baker] From the Chinese lanterns that adorn the Basement Studio stairwell to the Beckoning Cat and incense in the hallway, Chop/Stick, presented by Chairman Meow Productions, immediately sets the tone for an overall theatrical experience. What makes it noteworthy is that it does not only set an ethnic specific tone, but generates an atmosphere that resonates […]

NEWS: War Horse in Auckland

November 21, 2012

Charge!!! – National Theatre’s War Horse coming to Auckland in 2013 [by James Wenley] UPDATE 7 May 2013: Poor Joey! War Horse is no longer coming to Auckland on its Australasian tour. Producers have blamed the cancellation of the August Season on ” high costs, a competitive market, sluggish ticket sales and even a long summer.” The citing of  a “competitive […]

REVIEW: Love and Money (The Dust Palace)

November 16, 2012

Money CAN buy love [by Sharu Delilkan] Be warned that the cast of Love and Money don’t only bear all physically, they bear their souls through this intimate emotional journey. This clever piece of theatre is slickly peppered with cirque-theatre that’s the hallmark of The Dust Palace. Having seen Venus Is at Q Loft over a year ago, I was […]

REVIEW: Tell me on a Sunday (The Real Theatre Company)

November 15, 2012

Left in a bind [by Matt Baker] With the right vehicle a musician can stake their claim in the world of acting. From Madonna in 1996’s Evita to Melanie Brown in the 2004 revival of Rent, the musical stage and screen is becoming readily accepted as a platform on which such musical artists may step. I was excited at the […]

REVIEW: Eigengrau (potent pause) productions

November 14, 2012

More than black and white [by Matt Baker] Meet Cassie. She’s just moved in with Rose, who’s just had a one-night stand with Mark, who’s fed up of living with Tim, who secretly loves Rose, who’s just using Tim to get to Mark (who she loves), who’s just become very interested in Cassie. While the magnitude of that sentence is […]

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