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New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views
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NEW PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL, Auckland, 17-25 Feb [more]
CENTREPOINT Artistic Drector resigns [more]
Short + Sweet Dance, 7-11 Feb, Auck [more]
SILO LAUNCHES 2012 PROGRAMME [more]
2012 NZ International Arts Festival [more]
CIRCA THEATRE 2012 SEASON [more]
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES on The Big Idea [more]
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Artistic Director: Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston Nth, reg by 8/2 [more]
BANANA BOAT Writers Retreat 2012, apply by 27/1 for 3-6/2 [more]
Red Leap INCUBATOR 2012, Auckland, apply by 16/1 for 13-17/1 [more]
DANCE WELLINGTON FESTIVAL, Applications due 17/1 [more]
Basement show submissions for July-December, Auck, due 30/1 [more]
PLAYWRIGHTS B4 25 COMPETITION – DEADLINE 31/3 [more]
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MUNTED at BATS, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe 25 Jan 2012 |
Powerful and humane yet often humorous
Nothing beats ‘truth’ when it comes to good theatre. There are many ways of seeking it out and sharing it, and the Bare Hunt Collective’s ‘documentary/verbatim’ genre is an extremely compelling and effective one. [more]
See also reviews by:
Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post);
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AN EVENING WITH MISS POLLY RAE & THE HURLY BURLY GIRLYS at SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland
reviewed by Megan Smith 23 Jan 2012 |
Utterly delectable!
Filled with detail, intricacy and beautifully directed, the evening flowed seamlessly. A far cry from the usual format, that can often feel, well, foreseeable. By contrast we were seduced with a selection of well-paced and well-timed unpredictability. Did we expect the sailor with his back to us, slowly stripping away his crisp white navy uniform revealing his tanned muscular back, to turn out to be a hot blonde? Most certainly not. Could we have anticipated the hypnotic stage presence of the only male in the show, Arian Levanael, to be a mastery of hoop and silks, so effortless, so accomplished and well, so damn sexy in leather and then in sequins? Possible only in our dreams… [more]
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THE WUNDERBAR SPECTACULAR at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
reviewed by Jesse Quaid 22 Jan 2012 |
A cocktail of delight
Cheerfully risqué The Wunderbar Spectacular stays comfortably within the humorous side of erotic, providing a constantly entertaining variety that easily holds the attention. [more]
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THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER at Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 18 Jan 2012 |
Purposeful energy and humour has wide audience appeal
Finding the magic bridge between well loved old tales and appropriately cool stuff for today is always a challenge. The basic action often relies on the 'rule of three' and to some extent is therefore predictable. The dark side, once so fascinating and fearful, generates less of a thrill for the young contemporary watcher. [more]
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GREART: POINTY DOG DANCE COMPANY & FRIENDS at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
reviewed by Dr Linda Ashley 22 Dec 2011 |
Joy on Earth
What I found most joyous, however, was the way in which the dancers perform with each other. They expressed real feelings of caring, supporting and enjoying each other as equals through their dancing; the world could do with a great deal more of this goodwill, and not just at Christmas. This vital warmth is best experienced by going to see the show in which you find all the positive things that Aoteaora could wish for in their Christmas, and for the next generation, not just of dancers but kiwis generally. [more]
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THIS IS THE STAND I MADE. (SOMEWHAT OF A SOLO SHOW) at 1 Cross Street - an apartment, Auckland
reviewed by Raewyn Whyte 18 Dec 2011 |
Entirely enterprising and admirable
The highlight of the evening was the electrifying and complex finale, Bitch 21, an interactive collaboration between Giesen and Josh Rutter in which cueing of sequences shifted to and fro between Giesen's movement and Rutter's live mixing of sampled sound and live voice with triggered lighting and sonic effects. [more]
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A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS 2011 at Heaton Intermediate Theatre (133 Heaton St, Merivale), Christchurch
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 18 Dec 2011 |
Trust and solidarity gifts a right cracker
There have been many popular formats for improvised shows over the years but the current showcase for the talents of this merry band would have to be one of the most successful on record. [more]
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TOYS at BATS, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe (2) 17 Dec 2011 |
Well worth a second visit
On a second viewing Toys seems much more coherent – a function of three factors: my prior knowledge; actors more settled into their roles (at the 9pm show last night I don’t think anyone was up for the first time); a more attentive audience (i.e. not a hugely upbeat opening night audience more into perFORMance than content). [more]
See also reviews by:
John Smythe
Helen Sims
Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post);
Craig Beardsworth (Capital Times);
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THE SANTA CLAUS SHOW (2011) at The Pumphouse, Takapuna, Auckland
reviewed by Lexie Matheson 16 Dec 2011 |
Heart-warming haven away from hassle
There’s a rumour doing the rounds that Santa Claus aka Father Christmas isn’t real. Well, here’s the truth of it: he is. If you want proof you need go no further than The Pumphouse Theatre on any day except Sunday between now and 23 December and you’ll find the jolly gentleman in residence sharing his version of the Christmas story. [more]
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""Rants"?! I rest my case." - Corus [read full comment]
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"Happy New Year, a cracker way to start 2012 :)" - Maryanne Cathro [read full comment]
"Yeah, well the Forge is only offering ghost chups now." - James Levy [read full forum post]
"Not forgetting The Forge's 2010 season - all NZ work, including three world premieres!" - Jeff Clark [read full forum post]
27 Jan 2012 - ARTISTIC DIRECTOR: CENTREPOINT THEATRE
After three and half years of juggling a long-distance relationship , Kate Louise Elliott is leaving Centrepoint Theatre to go home . We will really miss her but it means a brilliant opportunity awaits the next up and coming aspiring Artistic Director. [more]
27 Jan 2012 - NEW PERFORMANCE FESTIVAL - 17-25 February, Auckland. Immerse yourself in a boundary-smashing 9 day festival where local New Zealand artists join forces with international acts to push the boundaries of theatre, dance, music and art. [more]
27 Jan 2012 - CENTREPOINT THEATRE ARTISTIC DIRECTOR RESIGNS
Palmerston North Theatre Trust announces with regret the resignation of popular Artistic Director Kate Louise Elliott after three and a half years in the role. [more]
26 Jan 2012 - Short + Sweet Dance = The Biggest Little Dance Festival in The World! Five days, six shows of new dance works from some of New Zealand’s hottest emerging and established dance practitioners. No dance longer than 10 minutes! [more]
20 Jan 2012 - BANANA BOAT WRITERS RETREAT 2012
The BANANA BOAT is a collective of Maori and Pasifika Writers
The Banana Boat Writers Group, in association with Auckland City Council Creative Communities, are proud to announce that submissions are now welcome for places on a four day writers retreat. [more]
18 Jan 2012 - PLAYWRIGHTS B4 25
CHANGE THE WORLD - WRITE A PLAY!
We are interested in young writers who take risks and throw care to the wind, as well as those who write strong, conventional plays. Write about ANYTHING you like that matters to you in ANY way you like, for any kind of audience you like. [more]
10 Jan 2012 - JOHN KEY PUTS NZ ARTISTS IN THEIR PLACE
By Toby Manhire, NZ Listener
Says the PM: “While our literary heroes may never challenge the glory and respect given to our All Blacks, we still need role models to inspire us.” [more]
2 Jan 2012 - WANT TO PUT ON A SHOW AT THE BASEMENT NEXT YEAR?
Submissions now open for July-December 2012.
Please get in touch if you’ve got something up your sleeve. We love collaborating with an artistic mixtape of theatre makers, dancers, visual artists, poets, musicians, comedians and everyone in between. We are a safe place to be experimental, brave and innovative and WE WANT YOU! [more]
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