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SILENT NIGHT at BATS
reviewed by John Smythe 7 Dec 2011
Entertaining and finally moving gift
There is humour and pathos-aplenty in Yvette Parsons’ beautifully modulated performance – directed by Stephen Papps – as she peels the onion of her story while navigating through a full range of emotional states. [more]

SILENT NIGHT at BATS
reviewed by Laurie Atkinson (Dominion Post) 9 Dec 2011
Reminder about elderly, lonely
The great Tom Lehrer wrote that “Christmas time is here, by golly, / disapproval would be folly”. In the comedy-drama Silent Night Irene McMunn, an elderly widow living on her own certainly doesn’t disapprove and her unit, while not decked with “hunks of holly,” does have a tree and decorations amongst her family photos and mementoes of Charles and Diana’s wedding. [more]

SILENT NIGHT at Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre
reviewed by Nik Smythe 14 Dec 2010
Harrowing hilarity earns standing ovation
Irene McMunn is a dear, doddery old biddy preparing to entertain a few guests on Christmas afternoon, after her customary morning church service. With able guidance from her director Stephen Papps, Yvette Parsons delivers a tour-de-force performance as poignant as it is parodic. [more]

SILENT NIGHT at Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre
reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald) 15 Dec 2010
Parsons right on the nose
Yvette Parsons creates a Kiwi Eleanor Rigby in her haunting portrait of an elderly widow busying herself in preparation for a Christmas Day gathering that no one will attend. [more]

SILENT NIGHT at BATS
reviewed by Craig Beardsworth (Capital Times) 14 Dec 2011
Fresh and satisfying
This one woman one act one hour play is a prime example of what theatre is meant to do. That is, take the audience on a journey. [more]

Auckland Fringe 2011
SILENT NIGHT at Old Folks Association Hall, 8 Gundry St, Newton
reviewed by Venus Stephens 8 Mar 2011
A treasured pleasure
False first impressions render Irene McMunn a pitiable old widow, with nothing better to do than twitch the curtains and harass her local pastor. Closer inspection reveals the elderly McMunn, a resplendent vision of viscose and flesh-coloured nylons, is more than the sad caricature of old age that noisily rambles into view from the ‘hallway’ of her pensioner flat. [more]

SILENT NIGHT at Assembly Room, Hawkes Bay Opera House
reviewed by Kirsty van Rijk 12 Nov 2011
Familiar, authentic and yet unique
Yvette Parsons is faultless in her characterisation of the simple and sad Irene McMunn. Parsons brings her to life but more than that, I’m sure I know this woman. As writer and actor, Parsons manages to create a character we recognise and empathise with, and yet Irene is still unique; original. [more]

Nelson Arts Festival
SILENT NIGHT at Suter Theatre
reviewed by Gail Tresidder 15 Oct 2011
Bravery and optimism in the face of loneliness produce Christmas cheers
She wears easies and built-up sandals with lycra fixings (funny/sad moments when she takes a swing at her sandals to undo them) and brick red pants of some synthetic material. Her teeth come loose and, despite her long list of ailments and pills to assuage them, she is staunchly cheerful. [more]

Nelson Arts Festival
SILENT NIGHT at Suter Theatre
reviewed by Leonie Hall (Nelson Mail) 17 Oct 2011
Celebration is anything but quiet
If you’ve ever wanted to make a “banana candle”, look no further than Silent Night. Played by Yvette Parsons, Irene McMunn and her Be Bold With Bananas cookbook left plenty to the imagination. [more]

Tauranga Arts Festival 2011
SILENT NIGHT at 16th Avenue Theatre, 174 16th Ave
reviewed by Michele McPherson (Bay of Plenty Times) 31 Oct 2011
Senior Years Tinged With Sadness And Joy
To entertain a captive audience alone is no mean feat but Yvette Parsons does it brilliantly. Playing widowed pensioner Irene McMunn in the play Silent Night, she uses humour to reflect the challenges and realities of life alone in your senior years. [more]
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