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New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views
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NZ FRINGE Festival, Wellington 10/2-3/3 [more]
SHORT + SWEET Dance, 7-11 Feb, Auck [more]
New Performance Festival, 17-25/2 Auck [more]
NZ INTERNATIONAL ARTS FESTIVAL, 24/2-18/3, Wn [more]
CNZ Grants improve access to arts [more]
‘COMING UP’ FEATURE LAUNCHED [more]
The state of play in New Zealand [more]
JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES on The Big Idea [more]
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RED LEAP The Arrival AUDITION (FEMALE) in Auckland 8/2 for Korea tour [more]
Artistic Director: Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston Nth, apply by 8/2 [more]
DUNEDIN THEATRE AWARDS DISCUSSION, feedback by 2/3 [more]
If you are 'in the biz' and value Theatreview, put yourself on the PAD
i.e. join the New Zealand Performing Arts Directory
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- YOU BE THE ANGEL I BE THE GHOST at BATS (Wellington, from 8 Feb 2012)
- DANCING IN THE WAKE: The Story of Lucia Joyce at Museum Hotel, Tamburini Room (Wellington, from 9 Feb 2012)
- DARK STARS at BATS (Wellington, from 13 Feb 2012)
- DARK STARS at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 10 Feb 2012)
- MEETING KARPOVSKY at Circa Two (Wellington, from 10 Feb 2012)
- KITSCH IN SYNCH at BATS (Wellington, from 10 Feb 2012)
- LOVERS WALK at Meow, Edward St CBD (Wellington, from 10 Feb 2012)
- Short + Sweet Dance - Group 1 at Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE (Auckland, from 7 Feb 2012)
- Short + Sweet Dance - Group 2 at Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE (Auckland, from 8 Feb 2012)
- Whispering Birds at Chinese Scholars Garden, Hamilton Gardens (Hamilton, from 18 Feb 2012)
- Short + Sweet Dance - Wildcard Group at Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE (Auckland, from 11 Feb 2012)
- Short + Sweet Dance Gala Final at Concert Chamber - Town Hall, THE EDGE (Auckland, from 11 Feb 2012)
- Our Beach at The beach at Orere Point (South East Auckland, from 10 Feb 2012)
- The Perky & Fiddle Show at The Streets (Wellington, from 10 Feb 2012)
- The Adventures of Wendy the Wonderful, Leslie the Lover, Winston the Worrier & Marama the Muss at BATS (Wellington, from 11 Feb 2012)
- THE MOTOR CAMP at Maidment (Auckland, from 11 Feb 2012)
- SIDE BY SIDE BY SONDHEIM at Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington (Christchurch, from 11 Feb 2012)
- LOVE IS A STREET FIGHT at Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 14 Feb 2012)
- Should We Stay Or Should We Go? at BATS (Wellington, from 14 Feb 2012)
- Words on Edge at Meow, Edward St CBD (Wellington, from 15 Feb 2012)
- Ghosting Part 2 - Cabaret at Aotea Centre at THE EDGE® (Auckland, from 17 Feb 2012)
- I Am A Wee Bit Stumped at Aotea Centre at THE EDGE® (Auckland, from 18 Feb 2012)
- Dance like a Butterfly Dream Boy at Aotea Centre at THE EDGE® (Auckland, from 22 Feb 2012)
- Show Pony at Aotea Centre at THE EDGE® (Auckland, from 24 Feb 2012)
- Tardis V.O.I.D. at Frederick Street Sound and Light Exploration Society (Wellington, from 19 Feb 2012)
- Yes. No. Maybe? at BATS (Wellington, from 21 Feb 2012)
- Ab-Surd at Private home; Maarama Crescent, Aro Valley (Wellington, from 21 Feb 2012)
- What Would The Neighbours Think? at Cable St Courtyard (Wellington, from 23 Feb 2012)
- Raw Circus at Wellington Circus Hub, Newtown (Wellington, from 25 Feb 2012)
- An Unfortunate Willingness to Agree at BATS (Wellington, from 27 Feb 2012)
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WHARE TAPERE 2012 at Waimango, South East Auckland
reviewed by Jenny Stevenson 5 Feb 2012 |
The Light Dancing: dancing
Performed in the setting of a natural amphitheatre in Waimangō, the work emerges out of the darkness with tenuous orbs of diffused light, which gleam momentarily before being swallowed by the void. Figures emerge as the eye adjusts to the dark, clutching woven baskets of the shimmering light against their bodies and then begin waving them aloft and arcing them through the air, as they proceed into movement formations. [more]
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TOM KEEPER PASSES at Te Whaea, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe 4 Feb 2012 |
Highly recommended to non-passive theatre-goers
Long Cloud Youth Theatre specialises in adolescent existential angst plays (adolexistangstial theatre?) and Tom Keeper Passes does it with an insightful humour that envelops us all in an all-too-familiar entropy. What can we do? [more]
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CRIMS at BATS, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe 2 Feb 2012 |
Delightful insightful comedy
Down from Auckland, where it opened last October, Crims is another quirky comedy from Thomas Sainsbury, replete with oddball misfits seeking some sort of traction in this thing called life. The whys and wherefores of petty criminality is the focus, as a by-product of people feeling – and being – inadequate. [more]
See also reviews by:
Adey Ramsel
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LEOPARD at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
reviewed by Aidan-B. Howard 1 Feb 2012 |
Immensely credible
The vast majority of Leopard is a simple hoot: very funny, pacey and well acted. The final ten minutes are more sedate; more philosophical. [more]
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ESENCIA DEL FLAMENCO at Circa Two, Wellington
reviewed by Lyne Pringle 1 Feb 2012 |
The dance of music and the music of dance
A highlight of the performance is the duet between Jill Tanner-Lloyd and Cristina Lopez Gomez both moving beautifully in the space as the voice compels the dancer towards a delicious exploration of the form with beautiful backbends, forceful footwork and delicate arm gestures. There is also stillness and an infectious sensual joy. [more]
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CANVAS at TAPAC - The Auckland Performing Arts Centre, Auckland
reviewed by Julia Barry 31 Jan 2012 |
Entertaining, enjoyable and uplifting
Of particular note in this production is the live accompaniment provided for certain pieces by the very talented young guitarist, vocalist and composer, Brayden Jeffrey. Jeffrey’s emotionally sincere and moving interpretations are highlights of the performance, especially his own composition of Lost and Found for the Quartz Grey solo in the second half, which is performed with expressive authenticity, strong elevation and dynamic intensity by Hawke Vermeulen. [more]
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THE LONG WEEKEND at BATS, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe 31 Jan 2012 |
Questions of trust
I leave this show a bit confused because I thought it was an improv show but the audience is not invited to pitch offers, there is no explanation of the premise or rules, there is no programme to enlighten us and it all plays out like an under-rehearsed semi-scripted play. [more]
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BATHING WITH ELEPHANTS AND OTHER EXOTIC REVERIES at Civic Theatre, Auckland
reviewed by Alexa Wilson 28 Jan 2012 |
A mysterious and exotic ensemble of works
The smaller, hidden rooms of The Civic Theatre become home to a cocktail of ideas around far away places, self consciously exotic or otherwise, including new technologies which involve triggers, masks and weirdness, and playful improvisation. [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);
Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);
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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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"Some reason my grumpy reply to C.N.Z funding allocation of small monies ended up here... a mystery to me as it..." - James Levy [read full forum post]
"Great feedback thanks Michael - the Coming Up header may now be clicked to reveal a chronological list, thanks..." - Editor [read full forum post]
"A great addition thanks but - can you make the blue heading a live link to the list?
I saw brief tantalising ..." - Michael Smythe [read full forum post]
"Not quite sure what you are getting at here, James. Theatreview is grateful to CNZ for the base funding that a..." - Editor [read full forum post]
"Chickenfeed from those those box-tickers at C.N.Z." - James Levy [read full forum post]
"The 'Coming Up' ticker has been launched. Feedback and comments welcome on this forum. " - Editor [read full forum post]
"We like it when you review improv, John. Because you can't give away the end like usual." - The Wellington Theatre Community [read full comment]
""Rants"?! I rest my case." - Corus [read full comment]
"Fair enough, Corus. The irony is that your rants against positive reviews could be construed as you mocking or..." - John Smythe [read full comment]
"“The point” is the hope, relief and satisfaction that an alternative view can give. Even if ill-ex..." - Corus [read full comment]
"Thank you, Corus, for explaining why you hide behing a nom-de-plume. I remain bewildered that you constantly d..." - John Smythe [read full comment]
"It's not the vanity reviews that bother me, it's the lack of intelligent criticism. Anonymity allows the..." - Corus [read full comment]
2 Feb 2012 - AUDITION NOTICE:
Touring Role with Red Leap Theatre’s Award Winning Production of
THE ARRIVAL
Opportunityexists for a role in the touring company of THE ARRIVAL, the award winning show created by Red Leap Theatre. [more]
1 Feb 2012 - CNZ GRANTS TO IMPROVE ACCESS TO ARTS
Fortune Theatre inDunedinis opening its doors to blind and vision-impaired audiences by providing six audio-described performances of its plays in 2012, supported by a one-off $3000 grant from Creative New Zealand. [more]
1 Feb 2012 - ‘COMING UP’ FEATURE LAUNCHED ON THEATREVIEW
Today, 1 Feb 2012, we have launched a ‘Coming Up’ ticker on the Theatreview homepage. If you click on a title you will access the production page. [more]
30 Jan 2012 - THE STATE OF PLAY IN NEW ZEALAND
RUTH SPENCER
Sunday Star Times, 29 Jan 2011
The sound of hammers temporarily drowns out the Court Theatre's artistic director Ross Gumbley. In The Shed, the Court's brand new Christchurch premises, the public spaces are finished, but behind the scenes the work continues. [more]
29 Jan 2012 - NZ FRINGE FESTIVAL 2012 (Wellington)
A fierce, feisty, fabulous, Fringe Festival is ready to roll out some colourful mayhem in the Cultural Capital, 10 February until 3 March 2012. [more]
29 Jan 2012 - DUNEDIN THEATRE AWARDS
– a celebration of creative excellence –
DISCUSSION AND SUBMISSION DOCUMENTS
Background - by Patrick Davies
For a number of years there had been a long discussion about the establishment of the Dunedin Theatre Awards that seemed stymied by the lack of someone to actually do it, and the minefield of how it might be achieved in a semi- and pro- environment. [more]
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]
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