REVIEW: Famous Flora (Playtime Theatre)

November 14, 2014

Famous Flora Fascinates [by Sharu Delilkan and Tim Booth] Choosing to stage Elisabeth Easther’s premiere about Flora Mackenzie, one of Auckland’s most notorious Mesdames, at the White House was a stroke of genius. The venue not only gave the show added dimension, being totally apt, but also acted as an eight character in the 7-strong cast that entertained us at the […]

REVIEW: Yeti Trilogy (Moving Theatre Company)

September 4, 2013

Far from abominable [by Matt Baker] Love, lust, manipulation, jealously, and revenge are the key ingredients of any great melodrama, and no Auckland based theatrical melodrama has proved so great as The Moving Theatre Company’s Yeti Trilogy. Encompassing original productions Dan Is Dead: I Am Yeti and Yeti Is Dead: I Am Tom, the Yeti Trilogy incorporates a third act, Yeti In The Himalayas, to create a […]

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 […]

This Week in the Theatre Scene: Make The Basement your new home (18-23 Feb)

February 18, 2013

This Week’s Picks: Black Faggot, Elevator, A Night to Dismember and Dolly Mixture [by James Wenley] Auckland Fringe is out in full force from this week, and audiences are  spoilt for choice, you lucky things you. All of our picks are at The Basement this week, giving you the perfect opportunity to check out their classy new bar area. PICK […]

REVIEW: Silent Night

December 14, 2011

Spend the Night with Irene [by James Wenley] Irene McMunn’s Christmas cheer has been charming audiences in small venues across the country. So much so, that director Stephen Papps has lost track of how many seasons the one woman show has had. This return season at TAPAC is the first time he’s seen the show since March. Impressively, it’s the […]

PREVIEW: Silent Night – Yvette Parsons in the spotlight

December 6, 2011

A chat with Yvette Parsons aka Irene McMunn[by Sharu Delilkan] I have known Yvette Parsons for a number of years now. And I’ve been a big fan. In fact I would go so far as to say I consider her one of Auckland’s greatest actors. Naturally I’ve seen Silent Night during both the Auckland seasons and am hoping to go […]

REVIEW: The Family Wilder

July 8, 2011

Dark and Twisted [by James Wenley] After a string of collaborations and monologue directing, Thomas Sainsbury returns to The Basement with The Family Wilder, setting his style to the dark camp of the thriller genre’s twist and turns. Harry McNaughton plays the softly-spoken writer Clive, who is tasked with writing the biography of Wilder Family patriarch and ruthless businessman Bill. […]

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 […]