REVIEW: Odd Daphne Season 2 (Māngere Arts Centre)

February 13, 2020

[Dysfunctional Families Meet Cheesecake] Odd Daphne, a semi-autobiographical play by Joshua Iosefo, invites us on a journey to explore the bonds that tie families together, as well as how understanding can morph into drastic reactions – especially when large families try to intervene to resolve challenges faced by younger generations. Grief, trauma and self-acceptance are explored in the context of coming […]

REVIEW: Paniora! (ATC)

March 23, 2014

Magnificent Maori Matadors [by Sharu Delilkan] The ‘Len Brown Sux’ protesters outside The Maidment Theatre provided a rather obscure start to the evening. Fortunately everyone seemed more pre-occupied with the opening night of Auckland Theatre Company’s Paniora! to care. Within the lobby though it was so refreshing to see more ‘Browns’ than just Len. Often many ATC shows tend to attract […]

REVIEW: My name is…Pilitome (Kila Kokonut Krew)

January 28, 2014

Life of P.I.> [by Sharu Delilkan] In true Pacific Island style we were greeted by noneother than the playwright himself, Vela Manusaute, when we arrived at The Martin Hautus Institute Performing Arts Centre in Onehunga to see his new show My name is…Pilitome. However I must admit that I was saddened to hear that the Kila Kokonut Krew (KKK) had […]

Looking Back: 2012 – A Theatrical year in Review

January 10, 2013

Taking the Risk [by James Wenley] “…It was this lack of “weight” (a not too easily defined term which an actor, if not a member of the audience, would understand) that Mr George Henare needs to work on if he wishes to pursue the acting profession. His is a good, powerful voice, he has strong features… yet a lot of […]

REVIEW: A Frigate Bird Sings (Southside Arts Festival)

October 13, 2012

Fa’afafine = fabulous and fine [by Sharu Delilkan] I have to admit that when A Frigate Bird Sings premiered at the 1996 New Zealand International Arts Festival I didn’t get the chance to see it, for the simple reason that it was before I migrated to Aotearoa. So I was keen to see what all the fuss was about with […]

REVIEW: A Heart’s Path (Tales from the Kava Bowl)

September 27, 2012

Straight from the Heart [by Sharu Delilkan] A Heart’s Path, written by Suli Moa, is the young playwright’s second Tongan play in less than two years. I’m glad to see that talents like Moa are not a flash in the pan. I have to say congratulations bro for consistently making new works – may this be a sign of more […]

REVIEW: Taro King (Kila Kokonut Krew)

August 21, 2012

KKK still Kings [by Sharu Delilkan] There was almost a carnival atmosphere when entering the Mangere Arts Centre, a setting befitting the Kila Kokonut Krew’s 10th year anniversary celebrations featuring the production that put the company on the map, Taro King. Unfortunately I don’t have the benefit of being able to compare it with the first time it was staged. […]

REVIEW: The Brave (Massive Company)

April 20, 2012

Bravery the Massive Way [by James Wenley] I see a lot of theatre, and I enjoy a lot of theatre, but it’s a rare show that’s able to cut through and grab you on a deeply personal level. That show is Massive Company’s The Brave. Eight men, embodying bravery in body and souls, share their personal stories and experiences of […]

REVIEW: Sinarella (Mangere Arts Centre)

April 18, 2012

Perfectly Pitched Pacific Panto [by Sharu Delilkan] The theatre was electrically charged as we scrambled to find our seats. In fact my mate Liz and I ended up sitting separately because it was so full. Not to mention the fact that they added almost 6 new chairs stage left to accommodate the stragglers. Seeing the theatre packed to the gunnels […]

PREVIEW: The Brave (Massive Company)

April 10, 2012

Play favours The Brave [by Sharu Delilkan] Massive Company’s latest production The Brave marks a number of firsts for the cast’s oldest actor, Jonny Moffatt. The show is a milestone in the 30-year-old’s acting career as he will not only be debuting with Massive Company but also at Q and the Mangere Arts Centre. Moffatt says “Although I have never worked […]

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