 reviewed by Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post) 5 Nov 2012 |
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Play charts shifts in NZ society The title of the new show opening in Circa Two, The Tigers Of Wrath, along with the publicity posters convey a play with a Chinese flavour. But don’t be deceived. Although the politics of China play an integral part, especially at the beginning, and they do influence the lives of the three main characters, this is very much a NZ play, about New Zealanders and New Zealand politics. [more] |
 reviewed by Janet McAllister (New Zealand Herald) 5 Nov 2012 |
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Big performances in updated emotive story songs Post-war songwriter Jacques Brel – an inspiration for the likes of Leonard Cohen and David Bowie – wrote punchy, intense stories-in-melody which are well-suited to a theatrical presentation such as this. His lyrics range from sentimental to harsh, and Silo Theatre has created an engaging showcase of 22 songs, emphasising Brel's tug on the heartstrings. [more] |
 reviewed by Michael Gilchrist 5 Nov 2012 |
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Songs shine in delightful tracing of the Scottish thread in our settler heritage Maggie (Rowena Simpson) and Johnnie (Stuart Coats) are two Scottish immigrants to New Zealand, who meet and marry just before the First World War. Home tells their story in admirably economical fashion, showing how important traditional and popular songs of the period were in mediating the changes in their lives: from Scotland to New Zealand, in romance and in the trials of battle. [more] |
 reviewed by Helen Sims 5 Nov 2012 |
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Highly original and technically strong The second STAB production at Bats of 2012, Into the Uncanny Valley, promises to take its audience on a “theatrical adventure ... into the enchanting truth hidden within every particle of existence”. After a visually blinding but delightful opening, during which the audience is showered with small ‘particles’ (tiny bubbles), we follow a Victorian child called Sophie as she applies her imaginative powers to try and understand quantum physics. [more] |
 reviewed by Matt Baker (Theatre Scenes - Auckland Theatre Blog) 5 Nov 2012 |
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Triffically Entertaining Anyone who has an appreciation of ‘60s doo-wop or classic musical theatre will be entertained by ATC’s production of Little Shop of Horrors, because it is the musical talent that not only carries this show, but gives it some emotional depth and journey. While the entire creative team jointly recognises and illustrates their influences and intentions both in the programme and on stage, the clearest, strongest, and most unique creative voice comes from musical director Jason Te Mete. [more] |
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reviewed by John Smythe 4 Nov 2012 |
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A twisted strand in our socio-political DNA Only in New Zealand … Anywhere else a playwright aiming to trace the history of left-wing idealism over 35 years would contemplate a fairly large cast. Most New Zealand playwrights would work it so that the necessarily small cast could play multiple roles. But in his ironically titled The Tigers of Wrath Dean Parker does it superbly with four characters; four actors playing one character each – in 1974, 1993 and 2009. [more] |
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reviewed by Nik Smythe 4 Nov 2012 |
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Full potential yet to explode Mounting a production of such a beloved cult classic musical is a double-edged sword it seems. A good amount of the promotional work has already been done, and a proportion of any given audience will already be primed to hum/sing/toe-tap along with the cast in the tested-and-approved musical numbers, and to chuckle or laugh out loud with the ingenious script. [more] |
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reviewed by Vanessa Byrnes 3 Nov 2012 |
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Bold, loud, emotionally raw Jacques Brel, that Belgian song master of dynamic lyrics coupled with rough melodies who’s been covered by so many over the years, is now brought powerfully to life with verve and glamour by this excellent team. This is slick and emotional, rough and polished, wild and tame. [more] |
 reviewed by John Smythe 3 Nov 2012 |
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A magical treasure The typewriter sets the scene at some decades ago. He’s snappily dressed for a writer who works at home, in a headspace awash with white paper. Because so much of the pleasure of Paper Sky arises from watching it all unfold, from interpreting the reality of his story and his stories as they all play out, to say much more may constitute a spoiler. But I want to capture its essence for the historical record. [more] |
 reviewed by Sam Trubridge 2 Nov 2012 |
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A madcap evening of entertainment The dance is also really good. It is not just a prop for the comedy – these men all move with amazing control and grace through movements usually designed for the female body. It is amazing to see the lineup of such irregular body shapes, sizes, and colours all moving in unison to Ludwig Minkus or Tchaikovsky, when we are so used to seeing the homogenous lines of bodies selected for their similarity by various ‘straight’ ballet companies. It is quite moving to see such a disparate collection of bodies in motion together with such precision and control. This is particularly noticeable in the final piece of the evening – Paquita, after choreography by Petipa – where lines of dancers move in unison or cannonade to Minkus’ tinkling score. [more] |
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