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NO MOA at Downstage Theatre
reviewed by John Smythe 16 Apr 2006
Outrage at Downstage
What I cannot forgive is that Tama the Moa is played with a Bronx American accent. Well played, sure, in every other respect - but why on Earth American? [more]

See also reviews by:
 Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);

Deserves a good run
THE GINGERBREAD MAN at The Red Brick Hall
reviewed by John Smythe 16 Apr 2006
Spice and life lessons
When the hall is packed and the kids interact with the play without having to be asked, let alone cajoled, you know the perpetrators know their business. [more]

See also reviews by:
 Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);

ON OUR STREET at Capital E
reviewed by John Smythe 16 Apr 2006
Simply inspiring
There is a great ease of style and, amid the lively, dramatic and comic sequences, lots of lovely quiet moments that focus audience attention wonderfully. This is true entertainment, that draws us in and holds our attention, without forcing anything on us or making manipulative demands. [more]

See also reviews by:
 Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);

BLACK GRACE & FRIENDS at Soundings - Te Papa
reviewed by John Smythe 17 Apr 2006
Well executed and pleasant to watch
So, with the Black Grace boys playing small and not sharing much, it takes their visiting Friend, Louise Potiki Bryant, to choreograph a piece that is relatively mature. Her Night Blooms is abstract, so open to subjective interpretation by each viewer, but it exudes a conceptual depth that inspires trust. [more]

See also reviews by:
 Deirdre Tarrant (Capital Times);

Vacuous checout chicks
CHECK IT OUT at BATS
reviewed by John Smythe 19 Apr 2006
Sex-obsessed fizzler
I’d like to say that if the actors - who are all very capable performers - just played their roles for real, the show would settle down and work a treat. But there’s not much reality to be found in their characters. [more]

RADIO SHADE: PROJECT ANTIGONE at Newtown Community & Cultural Centre
reviewed by John Smythe 20 Apr 2006
Performance art of little consequence
Like The Rolling Stones, Red Mole keeps on truckin', but not with quite the same following. Two nights after the Stones filled a stadium with affluent fans keen to recapture the carefree hedonism or committed idealism of their youth, Red Mole - who also epitomised the counter-culture in their heyday - attracted an audience of six. But it was their second night. [more]

DRAWER OF KNIVES at Circa Two
reviewed by John Smythe 23 Apr 2006
Drawing on self interest
When in doubt, check the title. In retrospect I realise it's not about the contents of a kitchen drawer. It's about the person, people or circumstances that cause knives to be drawn. [more]

See also reviews by:
 Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);
 Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);
 Matthew Wagner (Sunday Star Times);

RAIN at BATS
reviewed by John Smythe 26 Apr 2006
The qualities of Rain
... this new Calder play is delivered with mystery, drama and a touch of poignant comedy ... the sense of authenticity that permeates this portrait of a damaged friendship keeps it compelling. [more]

See also reviews by:
 Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);
 Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);

FLAMENCO TABLAO / THE CRY OF SPAIN at The Front Room
reviewed by John Smythe 29 Apr 2006
Paradox in passion
Flamenco is a dance of contrast and contradiction, if not paradox. Possessed of the dispossessed it is at once a dance of defiance and deep sensuality. [more]

THE FUNDRAISER at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Smythe 1 May 2006
Way too premature
Frankly I am shocked that The Fundraiser could be scheduled for a 6-week season when the script, let alone the production, falls so far short of its potential. [more]
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