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 […]

Adieu Auckland Fringe

March 14, 2011

I hardly saw thee… [by James Wenley]  Last night the Auckland Fringe Festival closing night was partied away in exuberant style to a live Swing band, after the awards had been handed out, in the stunning Pacific Crystal Palace Spiegeltent in Aotea Square. The Spiegeltent was a ‘loan’, of sorts, from the Mumma Auckland Arts Festival. Whereas the prestigious Arts […]

REVIEW: Water Ballet ‘Sirens’ (Auckland Fringe)

February 28, 2011

There’s something in the water… They say there hasn’t been a Water Ballet performed in Auckland for 50 years. That is, until last week. The Wet Hot Beauties took over the Parnell Baths, delivering an awe-inspiring visual extravaganza in the water. As I sit down to write this, I am still buzzing, images and bodies swimming through my mind, forming […]