 reviewed by John Smythe 6 Jul 2008 |
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Striking a blow for non-verbal theatre Like Strike’s four percussionists, earth, air, fire and water feature separately and together in multiple permutations to create the 13 works that comprise Elemental. Murray Hickman, Tom Pierard, Leni Sulusi and Tim Whitta are earthed in their consummate and composite musicianship as they extract extraordinary sounds and rhythms ... [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 11 Feb 2009 |
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Extraordinary wit, perspicacity and humanity Eli wrote it and they use their real names but they play heightened versions of themselves or maybe more accurately aspects of themselves or is it just aspects of Eli because he wrote it all and Eli-in-the-play claims not to be a poet while Jack-in-the-play is, and a good one too, except it’s Eli’s words he’s saying ... [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 30 Apr 2009 |
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Remains a gem in our treasure trove of tour-friendly works “With your breath we will not be forgotten.” Thus storytelling is embedded as the motive force that sets Ian Hughes’ Ship Songs on its 70 minute journey through three lives over six centuries. Here, in truth, lies the existential imperative for life after death. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 2 May 2009 |
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Laughs aplenty To mark the world premiere of this specially commissioned Dave Armstrong comedy, Wanaka comes to the party with éclat, its stores festooned with red, white and blue balloons, a large percentage of its population wearing black berets, ‘Viva Le Sud!’ and ‘Mon Dieu!’ signs and badges variously displayed. On opening night (following a solitary preview in Clyde), prizes are awarded for the best French dressing (as in costume). [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 26 Nov 2009 |
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Less than ept but has potential Beirao re-enacts the story of how he came to manifest his Rhubarb Rouge performing persona, and two female pseudo drag queens (women pretending to be men pretending to be women) support him not only with lip-synching but also with actual live singing, piano playing, comic performing and shadow puppetry. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 28 Nov 2009 |
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Intensely colourful life examined in depth The multi-talented Jan Bolwell has created a very well made docu-drama about Frances Hodgkins. Eschewing the solo performance conventions of their previous collaborations ... Bolwell and director Ralph McAllister now add two more actors to the mix: fellow Kapiti Coasters Perry Piercy ... and John Wraight [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 9 Dec 2009 |
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Stories we can relate to Each performer randomly selects a wish from the tree, one is read out provoking instant action and interaction from whoever chooses to run with it; then another, and another … Thus a selection of improvised stories begin to unfold. And once a few have been established, they randomly return for their next evolutionary stage, at the instigation of one of the actors. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 21 Feb 2010 |
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Adds up to less than the sum of its parts despite some riveting moments Billed in publicity as a prequel to site-specific’s much lauded Hotel (although the programme says the opposite), the much-anticipated Salon invites inevitable comparison. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 9 Mar 2010 |
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Bitter-sweet tale draws universal truths from its very particular blend According to Kutisar – Jacob Rajan’s latest wondrous creation – the Festival called him in because it realised its audiences felt their lives were meaningless. Apparently we know only “emptiness, loneliness and painful urination” and we need enlightenment. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 17 Mar 2010 |
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A work of insight, humanity and great character Capturing the character and mood of the times, Jonny Brugh plays his Second Test innings at a steady pace, somewhat in the rhythm of a game of cricket. And in the same way Kiwi men were (are?) circumspect about expressing emotions, he avoids overplaying the drama. Yet the drama registers strongly, amid the low-key comedy. [more] |
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