THE PANTRY SHELF
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Written & Produced by Mark Prebble & Marion Shortt Directed by Mark Prebble at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland From 16 Aug 2012 to 25 Aug 2012 Reviewed by: Lexie Matheson; Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald); |
What does your food get up to when you're not looking?
Find out in the New Zealand premiere of The Pantry Shelf. Team M&M are restaging their award-winning Edinburgh Fringe hit at The Basement theatre from August 16th – 25th 2012.
The satirical comedy is set on a pantry shelf and all the characters are food products. It explores branding, genetic engineering and consumerism, but mostly it's a love triangle between a rebellious Muesli Bar, a shy Bag of Porridge and a sexy Block of Dark Chocolate.
Team M&M are Mark Prebble (Writer/Director) and Marion Shortt (Writer/Actress). While living in the UK, they premiered The Pantry Shelf at Edinburgh Fringe 2010. It won the CSPA Fringe Award for Sustainable Production, packed houses and rave reviews:
“Hillarious… clever... A feast for the eyes - ****” – Three Weeks
“Sharply-written and funny satire ****” – Edinburgh Spotlight
“Thoroughly enjoyable - ****” – Hairline.
Last year they moved back home to New Zealand to restage The Pantry Shelf here. The 2012 season is a new production where Marion leads a talented kiwi cast of Ben Van Lier (Apollo 13: Mission Control), Rita Stone, Matt Halliday and Michelle Blundell (Shortland Street's Hayley O'Neill).
The production is supported by The Auckland City Council, Whittaker's, Ecostore, Farro Fresh, Quick Brown Box and Elliot's Feijoa juice. The actors all wear big, colourful foam costumes. Photos are available on request.
According to Mark:
The play evolved from a monologue Marion performed as a bottle of cough syrup. As it grew we saw a chance to explore serious issues in a very silly way. We look at genetic engineering, the ridiculous way food is marketed and who controls what we eat, but from the perspective of how the food itself feels and in the context of a teen-angst love story.
The Pantry Shelf is presented as a comedy double-bill with N0ughty Girls directed by Hera Dunleavy, devised by Thomas Sainsbury, Elizabeth McMenamin and Chelsea McEwan-Millar. This promises to be a mouth-watering night of fresh kiwi theatre, filled with all-natural local ingredients.
Show Info:
The Basement
16th-25th August – 8.30pm
Tickets - $20/$17.50
(double bill discounts available)
www.iticket.co.nz
09 361 1000
Cast:
Marion Shortt - Queenie (the Quinoa, Date & Bark Bar), Beano Beans, Party Girl
Rita Stone - Black Velvet Chocolate, Winter Soup, G.E.O. Tomato
Ben Van Lier - Carlito Corn Chips, Gooey Cough Syrup, Rich Coffee
Matt Halliday - Paul's Porridge, G.E.O. Tomato, Party Man
Michelle Blundell - Wasabi Punch!, Professor Pop, Trim Milk
Production:
Lighting Design by Ruby Reihana-Wilson
Set - Mark Prebble, Logan Shortt & Ben Van Lier
Costumes - Marion Shortt