REVIEW: Hir (Silo Theatre)

August 7, 2018

[Transitory Spaces] When prodigal son Isaac (Arlo Green) returns from Afghanistan to find his family home turned upside down, he’s rightfully shocked. Having spent his last three years in the Marines’ Mortuary Affairs division, and dishonourably discharged, it’s no surprise he longs for something familiar and recognisable. Mommy Paige (Rima Te Wiata) has done away with all the rituals and […]

REVIEW: The Book of Everything (Silo)

February 13, 2016

[Everyone has their Reasons] After a successful run last year, and with some changes in cast (hello Stephen Lovatt, Amanda Billing, Amanda Tito and Dan Musgrove), The Book of Everything makes a welcome return to the Auckland stage. Thomas (Patrick Carroll) is a young boy growing up in post-war Holland. Struggling under the thumb of his abusive, ultra-religious father Abel (Stephen […]

REVIEW: Little Shop of Horrors (ATC)

November 5, 2012

Triffically Entertaining [by Matt Baker] Anyone who has an appreciation of ‘60s doo-wop or classic musical theatre will be entertained by ATC’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, because it is the musical talent that not only carries this show, but gives it some emotional depth and journey. While the entire creative team jointly recognises and illustrates their influences and […]

REVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Auckland Theatre Company)

May 7, 2012

Fancy a Puck? [by James Wenley] At the end of Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream, hobgoblin Puck famously excuses all that has gone before as a “weak and idle theme, no more yielding but a dream”. If so, it was a fantastic and crazy dream that the audience collectively dreamed in the theatre. While Puck undersells the thematic depths of […]

PREVIEW: A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Auckland Theatre Company)

April 30, 2012

In Love with Shakespeare [by Sharu Delilkan] It has been a journey of self-discovery for Xavier Horan, particularly since he has gone from being a ‘Shakespeare-phobe’ to acting in two of his plays within a matter of months. Horan, who has recently performed at The Globe Theatre London in the ground breaking Maori production of Troilus and Cressida, is extremely […]

REVIEW: Top Girls (Silo)

February 27, 2012

You Can Be a Successful Woman, Too! (Terms and Conditions Apply) [by Rosabel Tan] When people talk about women having careers, there’s a trade-off implied: You can’t have a career and a family – one will suffer if you try, and if you pursue the former, you’re defeminised: there’s something wrong with you or, at the very least, your womb. […]

REVIEW: Calendar Girls (Auckland Theatre Company)

August 14, 2011

Tastefully titillating theatre [by Sharu Delilkan] Leaving home yesterday evening on the way to the city to watch Auckland Theatre Company’s stage production of the infamous Calendar Girls brought its own set of surprises. I innocently said to my mate who was giving me a ride to the city  “I’m going to Calendar Girls today”.  To which I got this […]

REVIEW: Poor Boy (Auckland Theatre Company)

March 29, 2011

Oo hoo hoo hoo… [by James Wenley] Poor Boy is a song written by kiwi music royalty Tim Finn and released in 1980 on Split Enz’s True Colours album. The lyrics ‘My love is alien, I picked her up by chance / She speaks to me in ultra-high frequency’ are apparently about a ‘poor boy’ who falls in love with […]