THE PLAY ABOUT THE BABY at Basement Theatre (nee Silo)
reviewed by Sian Robertson 28 Aug 2008 |
Surreal take on real concepts palatably presented
The imminent threat of chaos to youthful complacency pervades this play that begins with the birth of a baby. The audience is very much included in the experience of the characters, which is at once amusing and disturbing. [more]
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THE DENTIST'S CHAIR at Opera House
reviewed by John Smythe (2) 27 Aug 2008 |
Rich in insight, humour and theatrical skill – but …
“Where’s your clarity?” the ghost of William Kemmler keeps asking Albert Southwick, a depressed and reclusive dentist. The same question has driven the further development of The Dentist’s Chair ...
Using the conventions of commedia mask ... [it] is a theatrical essay on the theme of fear and how it can pervert the passion of love into murderous intent. [more]
See also reviews by:
Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post);
John Smythe
Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);
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ROMEO & JULIET at St James Theatre
reviewed by Ann Hunt 25 Aug 2008 |
All elements in harmony
Christopher Hampson’s Romeo and Juliet was first choreographed for the Royal New Zealand Ballet Company in 2003. That production was lauded both in New Zealand and in London, where it garnered a nomination for a Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Dance Production. With this revival it is easy to see why. It is a beautiful cohesion of music, choreography, set, costume and lighting designs, with all elements in harmony with each other. [more]
See also reviews by:
Richard Mays
Felicity Molloy
Bernadette Rae (New Zealand Herald);
Francesca Horsley (New Zealand Listener);
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MOZART DANCES at The Civic – THE EDGE®
reviewed by Jan Bolwell 24 Aug 2008 |
Wonderful artistry performed with great naturalness
Dancing to the music of Mozart is not a task to be undertaken lightly. Some might say it should not be undertaken at all, a travesty best not witnessed … Mark Morris, lauded also for the musicality of his choreography, has waited until his early fifties before attempting the feat … Morris has helped himself immeasurably by selecting less well known Mozart piano works … With nine movements, three in each work, Morris has been intent on finding a unifying choreographic language to blend the evening of dance together. This he does by choosing a series of strong, often eccentric movement motifs which keep recurring in all three works. [more]
See also reviews by:
Felicity Molloy
Bernadette Rae (New Zealand Herald);
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GRACE at BATS
reviewed by John Smythe 20 Aug 2008 |
When passion overcomes principles
With Grace, playwright and director Sophie Dingemans fulfils a childhood ambition: to explore what drove her Great Grandmother to fake her own death by drowning, in 1907, and flee in the name of love to a new life in New Zealand. It’s a classic heart-over-head story, and so is this dramatisation. [more]
See also reviews by:
Laurie Atkinson
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COMPLEAT FEMALE STAGE BEAUTY at Telecom Playhouse Theatre, WEL Energy Trust Academy of Performing Arts (Hamilton)
reviewed by Vanessa Byrnes 19 Aug 2008 |
Shakespeare, Sex, & Stanislavksy channelled in rich, ugly, beautiful play
Jeffrey Hatcher's delicious Compleat Female Stage Beauty is an eloquent text that provides a distilled, racy reflection on the role of the actor and the birth of acting in the 20th Century. The piece is set in the English Restoration and takes whacking great liberties with history, time, and real figures that are entirely excusable. [more]
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BAGHDAD, BABY! at The Forge (Court Two)
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 17 Aug 2008 |
Pure gold
Spontaneous applause is rare enough in contemporary theatre for it to be an important measure of successful engagement. At the opening performance of Dean Parker' shrewd satire, it sprang from an enthusiastic recognition of our staunch, if naïve, Kiwi ways, reflected in the doings of a backpacker from Napier, and the Baghdad cafe where his OE is considerably extended. [more]
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"?" - Dane Giraud [read full forum post]
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26 Aug 2008 - Q THEATRE NEWS – NZ Herald
Review says new theatre must go ahead now
A review of theatre venues in Auckland City calls for an immediate start on the long-planned $21 million Q Theatre behind the Auckland Town Hall. [more]
22 Aug 2008 - CENTREPOINT THEATRE ANNOUNCES NEW ARTISTIC DIRECTOR
Centrepoint Theatre has announced that Kate-Louise Elliott has been appointed as its new Artistic Director. [more]
22 Aug 2008 - THE NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL OF NEW NEW ZEALAND PLAYS
Auckland Theatre Company Literary Unit announces the line-up for this year’s developmental workshops, celebrating 7 years of actively supporting New Zealand playwrights. [more]
19 Aug 2008 - Tall Tales (Some True): memoirs of an unlikely writer
By Greg McGee
Reviewed by John Smythe [more]
14 Aug 2008 - CONVERSATION with JAMES ASHCROFT [Nga Puhi/Ngati Kahu/Te Roto Huri] – BATS Theatre Monday 25 August, 7pm [more]
12 Aug 2008 - MUSICAL THEATRE Audition Workshop
With Julie O’Brien & Michael Nicholas Williams [more]
8 Aug 2008 - DANCE WORKSHOPS IN WELLINGTON AND AUCKLAND
September 08
Pineapple Productions [more]
1 Aug 2008 - MAPPING THE FUTURE of the Arts in Wellington
You are invited to discuss the future of Wellington city’s arts sector in a series of sessions facilitated by Wellington City Council’s City Arts team. [more]
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