REVIEW: High School Hangover (Auckland Fringe)

February 28, 2013

I’d rather have my stomach pumped… [by Matt Baker] High School Hangover is described as a romantic-comedy that will “have you in stitches”, and I did laugh, twice. Once at Xavier Mercedes Black’s awkward attempt to both calm and support her friend, and once at musician Jess Dowlman’s one-liner aside. It’s hard to keep track of this play, not only […]

REVIEW: One by One (Auckland Fringe)

February 27, 2013

Strength in numbers [by Matt Baker] Two people meet at a particular place at a particular time, and things are irreversibly changed. This is, arguably, a primary necessity for dramatic action, and it is the premise of Lab Theatre’s production of One by One. Director Pedro Ilgenfritz has clearly attained a wealth of knowledge regarding theatre during his 20-year career. A […]

REVIEW: Spring Awakening (Auckland Fringe)

February 25, 2013

Rock & Angst [by James Wenley] “Forget every other Musical you’ve ever seen” says the pre-show announcement voice as the lights dim for Spring Awakening. It’s a statement that is more about marketing hype than the show’s ability to offer something new to the form. Sure, its themes of suicide, masturbation, and sexual abuse are risqué, but nothing that are […]

REVIEW: The Road that Wasn’t There (Auckland Fringe)

February 25, 2013

A unique journey [by Matt Baker] Originally performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2012, The Road That Wasn’t There, presented by Trick of the Light and embarking on a tour throughout New Zealand, makes its Auckland debut as part of the 2013 Fringe Festival. Broken into eight protractedly titled chapters, the script weaves between fiction and reality with great […]

REVIEW: Elevator (Auckland Fringe)

February 25, 2013

Catharsis of the Confessional [by Matt Baker] 3 women trapped in an elevator. It’s a simple yet possibility problematic premise, however, Jess Sayer’s script, as reflected in her writer’s notes, finds freedom within structure, and, consequentially, an incredibly engaging story. Sayer’s razor sharp wit is acutely vocalised by not only herself, but also by fellow actresses Michele Hine and Lauren […]

REVIEW: Celery Stories (Auckland Fringe)

February 25, 2013

Anarchic Fairy Tales in the Dark [by James Wenley] At the same time as the Lantern Festival lit up Albert Park, Myers Park came to life in quite a different way as a procession of Fairytale characters and creatures prowled its grounds. Myers Park has been associated with Auckland Fringe since the Festival’s original launch in 2009 and has played […]

REVIEW: The Bitches Box (Auckland Fringe)

February 22, 2013

Hot Dog! [by Matt Baker] After forty-two shows across the country in their (literal) Woolshed Tour, actresses Emma Newborn and Amelia Guild finally bring their two-woman show to Auckland for the 2013 Fringe Festival. “Born out of a dream and desire to provide rural audiences a chance to have a truly unique night out with their neighbours”, if the show was received as […]

REVIEW: Bus Stop (Auckland Fringe)

February 22, 2013

Any minute now… [by Matt Baker] Youth suicide. It’s an unquestionably prevalent and heavy-handed topic, and it’s been chosen as the theme for Dark Horse Productions’ (a group of eight of The Actors’ Program graduates) fringe show. Writers notes, and Youthline and LifeLine advertisements in the programme indicate a genuine attempt to address the issue, however, it would have been […]

REVIEW: Dolly Mixture (Auckland Fringe)

February 22, 2013

Gross-out Dolly Horror [by James Wenley] Thomas Sainsbury and Yvette Parsons’s previous work together typically tend to features unsavory oddballs, extracting comedy from social awkwardness and character eccentricities. This style is once again at play in Dolly Mixture in which the premise sees Crispin Merriweather (Sainsbury) boarding at the residence of Beverly Beavington (Parsons) who restores dolls as her hobby. But […]

REVIEW: Tim Dibley. Masterclass (Auckland Fringe)

February 22, 2013

Christ knows he should be charging a lot more [by Matt Baker] After three years of gradually and increasingly leaking the persona of Tim Dibley into the acting community’s collective consciousness, actor and casting director Eryn Wilson has finally taken the step from Facebook and Youtube to the stage in the premiere live performance of his ridiculous yet somewhat veracious […]

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