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REVOLVER: SEXY CIRCUS CABARET CLUB at Comedy Chamber, Town Hall, THE EDGE - Remarkably raunchy and risibly rude

reviewed by Nik Smythe The first act proper is scruffy ragdoll mascot girl Maria Blacklips, flinging her limbs about with dynamic flair, again engaging the frequently utilised revolving stage. She is follow by one of the waistcoat fellows, the bearded one, �Beau Champagne�, who takes us through a round of deft and nimble, if wholly perfunctory, trapeze manoeuvres to a pumping dubstep soundtrack.

GISH: GISH-TAKES at The Classic Studio - Billy T meets Weird Al

reviewed by Nik Smythe easoning it�s in his cultural make-up to appropriate anything he sees fit, Gish happily mines (as in, that�s mine now) the canons of musical artists as diverse as Supergroove, Joey Scarbury, Bananarama, Harry Belafonte, the Swingers, Billy Joel, Edwin Starr, the Cranberries, the Bangles, Elton John, Dave Dobbyn, the Prentenders� the list goes on.

IN SPITE OF HIMSELF at Cashmere High School - Much to enjoy and ponder

reviewed by Lindsay Clark They know how to claim attention, this group, and they know how to sustain it. Set cleverly in transverse fashion across the body of a school hall, with the audience facing each other across the playing space, this series of issues-based pieces keeps ideas flowing and the adolescent audience � who could not all have wanted to be there � nicely attentive.

RAYBON KAN IS COMPLETELY UNCALLED FOR at Downstage Theatre - Saved by genuine intelligence and warmth

reviewed by Maryanne Cathro It was a dark and chilly night as a few brave souls huddled together in Downstage to witness Raybon Kan be Completely Uncalled For. And indeed most of his humour is just that. Wherein lies its appeal.

NGAIRE & NAUREEN�S PRISONTIME SPECIAL at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave - We laugh like silly school kids

reviewed by Adey Ramsel Hmmm, not sure where this one�s going. Or where it came from. I�m reminded of Blackadders line: �It started off badly, it tailed off a little in the middle and the less said about the end the better � but apart from that it was excellent.�

PAREKOTUKU MOORE IN WHO DAT SHEILA? at Cavern Club, 22 Allen St - A class act

reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku This is a woman who knows her audience but better yet, and refreshingly, knows herself. We are observing Parekotuku Moore. Period. It�s very comforting and familiar. It�s like hanging out with a diva in the airport lounge, the whānau at the Pa or the bros leaning on a shovel.

HAYLEY SPROULL IN MISS FLETCHER SINGS THE BLUES at BATS - Don't miss this Miss!

reviewed by John Smythe There was rapture last night at Bats, as the lights went out on actor / composer / musician Hayley Sproull's superb formidable creation, Miss Fletcher. Her hour of fretting and strutting upon the stage, and tinkling and pounding upon the piano, is as brilliantly performed as it is conceived.

JARRED FELL PRESENTS FREAK SHOW at Q Loft, 305 Queen St - Comedy and magic not taken "to new heights"

reviewed by Stephen Austin When I was about twelve years old, I had aspirations of being a stage magician and performing the sort of spectacle I saw on TV. I also had a pretty low-brow sense of humour, mostly enjoying scatological jokes and the violence of cartoon humour. This is about the level that Jarred Fell works at in his latest show.

BOMBS AWAY! A MUSICAL at Q Loft, 305 Queen St - Goodies-grade silly

reviewed by Nik Smythe I�m always drawn to comedy festival shows that strive to offer something more than simple standup. Sure, I love a good raconteur like anyone, but in the middle of a three-week binge on them it�s a refreshing point of difference to see something more theatrical.

PLANTATION at Mangere Arts Centre - An entertaining and engaging slice of Pacific flavoured life

reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton Plantation, which is showcased as part of the Pacific Arts Summit, offers a lively example of the exuberant South Auckland arts culture that is flourishing in the hot-house environment of the Mangere Arts Centre.