REVIEW: Ernest Rutherford: Everyone can Science! (The Basement)

May 30, 2013

Side Splitty Stuff [by Sharu Delilkan] I worry about the title of Nic Sampson’s new show Ernest Rutherford: Everyone Can Science! mainly because people might get the wrong impression thinking that it is a boring show about splitting the atom. And although Sampson hails from Gen Y, I suspect a majority of his generation may not even equate Rutherford with […]

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: Short + Sweet 2012 Week 1 (Stamp at The Edge)

September 20, 2012

Short, but Sweet??? [by Sharu Delilkan] Death, murder and suicide seemed to dominate the themes for Week 1 of Short + Sweet 2012. To be honest I could have done with a little more levity and a little less gravity. Thank goodness for the reprieve provided by The Lighthouse Keeper, Wisdom of Solomon and Supercide. Speaking of Supercide, the reason […]

PREVIEW: Black Confetti (Auckland Theatre Company)

June 26, 2012

Siggy Tardust! [by Sharu Delilkan] When Kip Chapman saw Black Confetti at Auckland Theatre Company’s The Next Stage programme last year, he knew instantly he had to be involved. “I approached Philippa [Campbell] as soon as the reading was over because I thought it was an amazing script that reminded me of Odysseus going into the underworld. I was even […]

REVIEW: Bombs Away! – A Musical (Comedy Festival)

May 16, 2012

Bombs Away!: Who you [not] gonna call? [by Sharu Delilkan] There is no secret that ‘there will be bombs’ in the brand new comedy-musical Bombs Away!. The hilarious script written by Nic Sampson, Ryan Richards and Barnaby Fredric, complemented by a full-length musical score from Joseph Moore, can only be described as absurd, uplifting, full of life and the height […]

Looking Back: 2011 – A Theatrical year in Review

December 29, 2011

Q opens in triumph, Fringe overshadows Festival, Outfit Rise, Rugby, Rugby, Rugby, and the Death of the Theatre. [by James Wenley] Attending the recent Hackman Theatre awards, Auckland Theatre circa 2011 would appear to be in rude health. Rude being the word, hosts Nic Sampson and Joseph Moore proudly observing it was a record year of nudity on stage, from […]

Theatre XMAS Madness!! A Criminal Christmas & A Krazy Kristmas

December 9, 2011

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 […]

REVIEW: The End of the Golden Weather (Auckland Theatre Company)

September 8, 2011

Milk and Honey Dreams [by James Wenley] The End of the Golden Weather has got to be one of the great New Zealand stories. As a play, it’s endured far beyond its intended lifespan. Playwright Bruce Mason wrote it partly as a platform for himself, performing the work solo across NZ in the decades for a staggering 986 performances, until […]

REVIEW: The Terrific Tale of Tabatha Talmus & These are the Skeletons of Us

August 11, 2011

Labyrinth and 500 Days of Summer? Skip the films, see the plays… [by James Wenley] When I interviewed Chris Neels on Theatre Scenes for Skin Tight in June he mentioned that he was working on two shows for a double bill at the Basement theatre in August. “Last year the Basement put out a call for proposals and I thought… […]

REVIEWS: ‘Space Race’, ‘I am a Yeti’ and the funny play (Comedy Festival)

May 3, 2011

There’s something happening in Auckland right now, and it’s hilarious. [by James Wenley]  And I’m not talking about the Comedy Festival proper. We Aucklanders have known this is hilarious for a number of years now. Auckland’s stand-up comic fraternity (anyone who has ever appeared on 7 Days, ever) have been on a renaissance roll for a while.  No, I’m talking […]

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