 reviewed by Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post) 4 Aug 2012 |
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New take on lust and obsession The love triangle has been used countless times in plays and films over the years but probably not as intriguingly as Gina Vanessi does in her play Quiver opening this week at Bats. From the opening moments when Celeste (Gina Vanessi), unseen behind a white screen, phones Petra (Jaya Robertson) during her yoga class declaring she is watching her but that she is not a stalker we know there is something strange going on. [more] |
 reviewed by Ewen Coleman 4 Aug 2012 |
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Bight, bold musical well worth enjoying Following on in the tradition of such musicals as Grease, Fame and High School Musical, Wellington Musical Theatre’s current production of Hairspray is big, bright, bold and very loud. From John Waters’ 1988 movie of the same name to a Broadway musical in 2002 and then another movie of the musical in 2007, the story of tubby teenager Tracy Turnblad's dream to dance on a local TV show in Baltimore in 1962 has garnered numerous awards with many hit productions along the way. [more] |
 reviewed by Johnny Givins 3 Aug 2012 |
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Pasifika heart-beat enriches American family drama Something new is happening at Unitech! A pilot scheme to increase the involvement of Pasifika students is bearing its first fruit. What a delight to watch the developing talents of five actors who have spent two years at PIPA and now have the opportunity to spend a year at Unitech Department of Performing and Screen Art to graduate with a degree in 2013. [more] |
 reviewed by Lyne Pringle 3 Aug 2012 |
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Sumptuous, satisfying and pleasing to the eye Act II is gorgeously stylish with a well-tuned corps de ballet dancing intricate choreography that swirls in the space to evoke a royal ballroom. The performances of the ugly sisters lift off with fabulous solos from them and they are hilarious as they pursue first the prince and then the prince’s friends who jête and prance with terrific elevation. [more] |
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reviewed by Jo Hodgson 3 Aug 2012 |
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A great toe tapping night out with heart and integrity Having seen the 2007 film version I have to admit to feeling a little apprehensive about seeing the stage show with its feel-good story full of cheese and youthful energetic froth, quite in contrast from the reality of the civil rights movement struggles of the time. Yes it’s a social commentary of perseverance in the face of adversity but the movie had left me feeling that this struggle was glossed over. However, tonight’s performance leapt off the stage with sheer exuberance and talent making it impossible not to get caught up in the changing landscape for the youth of the early 60s as they rollick through the musical score ... [more] |
 reviewed by John Ross 2 Aug 2012 |
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A fine new play Funerals and the brouhaha surrounding them typically bring people together who’ve not met for yonks – but what if they’ve had powerful reasons for staying far apart? Chuck into the mix the boozing that's characteristic of a wake, leading on to the freeing-up of the voicing of grievances, grudges and ugly truths, and here comes trouble. [more] |
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reviewed by John Smythe 1 Aug 2012 |
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Questions of fault intriguingly explored It’s a good name for this play: Quiver. It’s all about that obsessive state of love or lust that makes you all aquiver. It’s also the name of a perfume. Then there are the earthquake tremors. And the metaphorical quiver of arrows – of desire and revenge; of cupidity and stupidity … [more] |
 reviewed by Gail Tresidder 30 Jul 2012 |
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Delicious clowning, miming and puppeteering My eight year old review adviser, Ethan, joined Barnie in falling in love with this cute, enchanting yellow and pink chicken. Anthropomorphism rules because for us both, and though not even a real flesh and blood bird, she is the star of the show. Her nimble and creative puppet-master, Johny Brugh, masked as a ninja in top to toe black, imbues Ethel with the sweetest personality ... [more] |
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reviewed by Richard Mays 30 Jul 2012 |
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Insightful, compelling and humorous piece about life, love and loss “That bastard dog shit on the front lawn again!” And with these opening words we are introduced to the formidable ‘dame’ Joan, a 70-years (plus) peroxided (former) bombshell, and chief (so she reckons) mourner at the funeral of her daughter, Olivia. [more] |
 reviewed by Gail Tresidder 29 Jul 2012 |
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Every trick in the book... The troupe touch and miss hands, paw the ground like a horse, kick backwards at fellow dancers, groan out loud with “strained backs”, let out wails when lifting, collide with the proscenium wall, lose their way in and out of stage entrances and exits, and employ every ounce of foolery to bring tears of laughter to the by-now entranced audience... [more] |
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