Theatreview | Latest Reviews | Region Wellington

MY KITCHEN KILLS at BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon - Undercooked and lacking in complexity

reviewed by John Smythe The title tells us someone dies and within the first few minutes the hints are very strong as to who that might be. No surprises there, except the programme credits an actor as playing that character. The other questions are as you�d expect: who, why, how and when? The kitchen in question is in a restaurant.

AND THEN IT MOVED at Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown - Impressive exhibition of skill and talent

reviewed by Ann Hunt Of the many gems, the ace in the hole was Teeter, a very mature work in terms of conception. Its cohesive, fluid choreography and beautiful design elements augur well for future work by its choreographer, Sarah Gatzonis.

JIMEOIN IN WHAT?! at Opera House - Non-threatening, appealing but doesn�t quite spark

reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku As for Jimeoin himself, sure he�s funny; good at telling stories, carrying the anecdote and joke through several scenarios, and the faces he pulls are great � But when he pulls out a book and starts testing potential gags (though this may be part of his routine), it feels like he�s stalling or tired or bored or all of it.

PUPPETRY OF THE PENIS - �LIVE� at Opera House - Limber, skilled, unbeatable stage presence

reviewed by Lucy O'Connor Staring in the mirror, splashing water on my face wondering what abuse of the retina is about to occur, I cannot help but think whether my mother thinks she has failed me. I go into this with the honest thought that it will shock me into some sort of nun state whereby I could never take a man A) seriously and B) literally again. Mum probably hopes the same thing. A life of asceticism.

VIRTUOSI at Reading Cinemas - NZ dancers in their element, writ large

reviewed by Virginia Kennard Sue Healey spent two days filming each dancer, household names to the dance industry in New Zealand, in their various international bases. Inviting them to dance for screen, either improvised or choreographed, we watch them talk and move and dance in places of personal importance. A sense of place, whether that be a reference to connection to the land or simply a place they enjoy being, is a central theme to this work: they climb trees, dance on (forbidden) rocks, traverse sandy beaches, dance-loiter on couches on the side of the road, shift objects in their homes. The viewer is a guest in their lives as they talk about dance or themselves or themselves as dance, with simply their face filling the frame. When else could we get to inspect a dancer�s face this intently?

NO HOLDS BARD at Downstage Theatre - Virtuoso performance effective but not affecting

reviewed by Hannah Smith Hamlet is a Danish ponce, Othello jiggles ladies on his knee, Macbeth would like to play Horatio, and King Lear wants a sandwich. No Holds Bard, previously Frequently Asked Questions and even briefly Bard Day�s Night, is as multifaceted in form as it has been in name.

SHE�LL BE WRITE (2013) at Te Whaea - Drama Three, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown - An exciting and inspiring challenge

reviewed by John Smythe This year�s ensemble � Andrew Patterson, Ria Simmons, Carrie Green and Joe Dekkers-Reihana � directed by Emma Robinson, make manifesting 37 very different roles in excerpts from an eclectic selection of 16 plays look easy, such is their talent, skill and preparedness. The focus is therefore squarely on the characters, relationships and works in question.

MICHELE A�COURT IN STUFF I FORGOT TO TELL MY DAUGHTER at San Francisco Bathhouse, 171 Cuba St - Hitting all the flavour notes from bright tangs to rich depths

reviewed by Maryanne Cathro The audience obviously appreciates their humour served well-seasoned with intelligence, and this is truly in good taste. And with absolutely no aftertaste of earnestness either. We could lick the bowl afterwards and asked for seconds.

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS � REVOLUTION! at BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon - Long may Nokise bring it

reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku If I was looking to pitch a political satirical television programme � think Spitting Image (UK: 1984-1996) and Public Eye (NZ: late 80s) without the latex puppetry � I�d head straight to James Nokise and hire him immediately as a writer. He knows his stuff and how to package and deliver it in a mad paced and packed 60 minutes, proven by Public Service Announcements: Revolution.

AND THEN IT MOVED at Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown - Stunning, beautiful, inventive, sophisticated

reviewed by Sam Trubridge And Then It Moved is a stunning collection of works by a brave group of new choreographers and dancers. Regardless of one�s experience with contemporary dance these are works that will speak to their audience through the beautiful compositions that have been made with physical wit, meticulous athleticism, and an inventive use of space, light, sound and materials