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SETTLING at BATS
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 7 Nov 2007
Culling needed
Settling looks at living in Wellington today, with references past and present and a weird mixing of the two at one point, where EW Wakefield turns into a modern day land developer discussing sperm banks with a security guard, who’s just popped up through the floor while searching for Maori artefacts at the behest of a transvestite. [more]

Photo: Stephen A'Court
URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL at Downstage Theatre
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 21 Nov 2007
Energetic direction and performances
There could be few less appealing titles for any kind of performance than Urinteown – but within a few minutes of the show starting, you learn that is kind of the point. This is a musical gently poking fun at the genre rather than launching an all out attack. [more]

ROGER HALL’S JACK AND THE BEANSTALK: THE PANTOMIME at Circa One
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 29 Nov 2007
Entertaining, engaging performances
Christmas now equals panto at Circa. Jack and the Beanstalk is the third Roger Hall panto in a row, crammed full of topical jokes, contemporary references (from Trade Me to the Rugby World Cup). Paul Jenden’s wonderfully outrageous costumes, Michael Nicholas’ Williams sing-along songs and Dame Julian Wilson. [more]

A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Circa Two
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 28 Nov 2007
Exciting work
It’s a powder keg, hot as hell New Orleans in mid summer, impoverished part of town, people crammed into claustrophobic airless apartments, ever increasing cycles of violence. Tennessee Williams is a genius wordsmith and a fearless writer. When performed as well as this one is, A Street Car Named Desire leaves you feeling as emotionally battered as poor Blanche, and wearing the bruises of poor Stella. [more]

REVENGE OF THE AMAZONS at BATS
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 7 Dec 2007
They all rock
Jean Betts’ play pokes the borax at everyone, and takes the battle of the sexes to whole new places. [more]

GODZONE at BATS
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Capital Times) 12 Dec 2007
Giggles and warm fuzzies
At the end of a long hard year you want just want to have a laugh and you’ll get them at godzone. Though this collection of street theatre pieces by loonesco clearly work far better out on the street, with milling crowds and more opportunity for audience participation. [more]

2007 WELLINGTON THEATRE IN REVIEW at Various venues
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Captial Times) 3 Jan 2008
Saluting the unsung heroes
This year I want to salute the unsung heroes of the theatre industry. Some of them are so unsung and so niche, that there isn’t a category for them in the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. Yet, without them, the theatre would indeed be “a poor shadow”, to quote the Bard. [more]

ON THE CONDITIONS AND POSSIBILITIES OF HELEN CLARK TAKING ME AS HER YOUNG LOVER at BATS
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Captial Times) 23 Jan 2008
It gets my vote
Pinfield and Meek have turned Richard Meros' book of the same name, into a persuasive power point presentation – or in their own words, ‘a watertight rational case study’. After an hour of argument and imagery, you will agree with the premise that our Prime Minister, ‘volcano of desire’ that she is, not only needs a young lover, specifically Richard/Arthur, but for this to happen is indeed in the country’s best interests. [more]

ARMSLENGTH at Circa Two
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Captial Times) 23 Jan 2008
Meaty and elegant
What a way to start the year – five plays, four of them New Zealand works. And those works all about as different as you could wish for. [more]

Photo: Stephen A'Court
RABBIT at Circa One
reviewed by Lynn Freeman (Captial Times) 23 Jan 2008
Tania Nolan – credibly vicious
Rabbit is a cross between Sex in the City and the David Auburn play Proof – an uneasy mix sometimes but a play with heart and something to say underneath the hour and a half of raucous squabbling over a birthday dinner. [more]
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