April is the cruelest month… [by James Wenley] Last week I was fortunate enough to experience a profound theatrical event. It’s been a few days now – most productions wash off soon after viewing – but in this one I keep returning to its moment in my head. I find experiences like these are all too rare, but it’s what […]
These shows won’t last, buy your ticket today! [by James Wenley] Turns out Xmas is a lot like the Rugby World Cup, whether you’re into it or not, you simply can’t avoid it – its everywhere. Xmas trees and tinsels have sprouted up everywhere. All I want for Christmas is you is on repeat. A GIANT Xmas Tree bauble has […]
A chat with Yvette Parsons aka Irene McMunn[by Sharu Delilkan] I have known Yvette Parsons for a number of years now. And I’ve been a big fan. In fact I would go so far as to say I consider her one of Auckland’s greatest actors. Naturally I’ve seen Silent Night during both the Auckland seasons and am hoping to go […]
Nasty delights in an upside-down world [by James Wenley] Roald Dahl has a lot to answer for. His childrens stories, among them Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The BFG, and Fantastic Mr Fox are gruesome and subversive tales, in George’s Marvellous Medicine for example, 8 year old George is responsible for the death of his Grandmother (causing her to shrink […]
Is it you or is it me, but this show is funny [by James Wenley] Friday nights have just got more interesting. If you find yourself in town 11pm on a Friday night and in need of entertainment, the Instant Kiwi Improv series at Q is a big winner. Being an improvised show, it’s new each week. And they re-theme […]
A Kiwi in NYC [by James Wenley] Where can you find Harry Potter leading a dance number, Samuel L Jackson acting as a civil rights Mofo, and Spiderman trying not to fall into the audience? The Great White Way, the Capital of the Musical: Broadway Baby. New York, New York. Last month I travelled to New York in pursuit of […]
Auckland Scene gets funny + Deleted Scene! [by James Wenley] If you already haven’t already, fans of Auckland theatre should definitely check out TVNZ’s new online comedy Auckland Daze, about four wannabes “chasing fame in Auckland’s ridiculously small entertainment industry”. The brainchild of actor/director Kiel McNaughton, local theatre actors amongst its cast include Natalie Medlock, Jacqui Nauman (of Outfit Theatre Company), and Faye Smythe. Our […]
Billy Elliot meets RED [by James Wenley] With Billy Elliot, everyone remembers the feel good inspirational story of the boy who became a ballet star. In revisiting the film recently, I was struck by the gritty social background – of Thatcher’s England and the miners sacrificing everything with lengthy strike action. For Billy, dancing was a way of escaping a […]
Rita and Douglas and Jennifer [by James Wenley] Jennifer Ward-Lealand says playing Rita Angus is one of the most challenging roles she has ever performed in her career. “I’ve never done anything like this before”. It’s a surprising statement from Jennifer, whom over her long career in the performing arts has played roles as diverse as Boadicea in Xena: Warrior […]
Feeding the Past [by James Wenley] I first encountered playwright Renee Liang’s The Bone Feeder in 2009, presented as part of her postgraduate diploma of Arts at the University of Auckland, which I reviewed for Craccum Magazine. Since then, Renee (known also for plays Lantern & The First Asian AB) has continued to develop and work on the play. More productions […]
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