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SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at Maidment
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 9 Jun 2010
Sharp casting gives edge to demon barber’s tale
Stephen Sondheim’s musical version of Sweeney Todd is a brilliant, bloodthirsty thriller that has the emotional intensity and moral discernment of a Greek tragedy. [more]

THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 14 Jun 2010
Passionate reworking of a classic
Lightness and humour brought to a work that speaks of dark political times On one level The House of Bernarda Alba is a documentary study of domesticity in a 1930s Andalusian village, but by relentlessly focusing on one particular household, Spanish playwright Federico Lorca delivers a brilliantly penetrating analysis of the psychology of authoritarian politics. [more]

STEPPING OUT at SKYCITY Theatre
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 14 Jun 2010
Dance crew tap into night of fun
Auckland Theatre Company's winter extravaganza hits all the right notes with a feel-good comedy that taps into our secret longing for a taste of the applause and exaltation that is showered on over-night celebrities. [more]

Photo: Michael Smith
YOUNG & HUNGRY FESTIVAL OF NEW THEATRE 2010, AUCKLAND at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 12 Jul 2010
Explosion of youthful energy bound to entertain
Any concerns that live theatre might not survive the iPod generation’s penchant for micro-entertainment are completely blown away by the explosion of youthful energy unleashed at this year’s Young & Hungry showcase. [more]

ROMEO AND JULIET at Maidment
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 26 Jul 2010
A love story for our times
An ATC presentation of Shakespeare’s most popular play puts the directorial statement very much in the foreground and, as is often the case with heavily conceptualised productions, director Willem Wassenaar has some hits and misses. [more]

GREASE at Civic Theatre
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 7 Aug 2010
Livened-up Grease delivers as rock’n’roll rides high
Summer nights at Rydell High seem a long way from the drizzly misery of an Auckland winter but Grease is all about shaking off humdrum cares and tapping into that deep nostalgia for an uncomplicated world where rock'n'roll rules and teenage romance fills the air. [more]

KRAPP’S LAST TAPE at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 27 Sep 2010
Glint of hope in austere jewel
It may be serendipity, or perhaps the bursting of the financial bubble has made us more appreciative of Beckett's bleak brilliance. Whatever the case, we can be grateful for a superb piece of theatre which packs more punch into its 40 minutes than plays three times the length. [more]

MOJO at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 2 Nov 2010
Rock’n’roll gangsters pack a punch
Playwright Jez Butterworth is one of British theatre’s rising stars and the Basement’s production of his 1995 breakthrough play makes it easy to see why. [more]

TOYS at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 6 Dec 2010
Wild and witty world of toys well beyond kids
The Basement theatre ushers in the festive season with a bout of wild revelry that probably has more in common with pagan saturnalia than traditional Christmas celebrations. A series of boisterous monologues provides an energising workout for a rotating cast of 40 actors ... [more]

THE MUSIC OF ANDREW LLOYD WEBBER at Civic Theatre
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 5 May 2011
Lloyd Webber’s best songs performed with heartfelt emotion
With more than 30 songs on offer, musical theatre's most successful composer is given a comprehensive retrospective in a package which includes all the blockbuster hits as well as some lesser-known gems. [more]
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