ONE NIGHT STAND
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
27/02/2013 - 02/03/2013
Production Details
WINNER OF ORIGINAL NEW CIRCUS AWARD – MELBOURNE FRINGE 2012
Are you ready for a One Night Stand with the law? Then spend a riotous evening with Melbourne’s most daring underground circus star, Captain Ruin in the New Zealand debut of his award winning solo show.
Direct from a daring escape out of a Turkish jail cell, and described as “Australia’s Harry Houdini” (John Safran – Triple JJJ), One Night Stand finds him sharing stories about politics, prisons and punch lines with characteristic charm, death defying physical antics and a ferocious wit.
Inspired by the true story of the performers incarceration, and using escapology, stage illusion, sideshow, tattooed striptease and his circus skills Captain Ruin charms the audience with tales of his many adventures, while also inspiring them to challenge the accepted realities of our modern world.
Directed by renowned dark clown master Derek Ives (The Candy Butchers, Circus Oz) and by equal measures both poignant and hilarious, this is circus with a refreshing social conscience, that provides an intelligent take on the forces that motivate us all.
Following acclaimed and sold out seasons in Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne, now it’s New Zealand’s turn to enjoy this engaging performance that has been described as:
“Thought provoking, amusing and highly recommended” – ArtsHub.com.au, 26.09.12
“Brave, relevant, witty … a fantastically choreographed solo act” – theaureview.com, 06.10.12
“Charming to the tips of his Mohawk” – aussietheatre.com.au, 27.09.12
The Auckland Fringe runs from 15 February to 10 March 2013. For more Auckland Fringe information go to www.aucklandfringe.co.nz
ONE NIGHT STAND plays
27th February – 2nd March, 10pm
Duration: 50 minutes
Location: The Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland CBD
Ticketing: Adults $20, Concessions $17, Group $15
Bookings: iTicket -(09) 361 1000 or www.iticket.co.nz
50 mins
The tricky freedom of a charming ranter
Review by Heidi North 28th Feb 2013
Captain Ruin, aka Australian Mitch Jones, spent six weeks in a Turkish Prison; the results are One Night Stand. The show is a blend of circus tricks, stand-up comedy, political rampages and a surprisingly touching true story. A circus performance promoting truth and freedom (and a good dash of fun), loosely held together with the theme of literal and figurative imprisonment, all built around the slow unfolding of Jones’s personal story.
While at times a little prone to ranting, Captain Ruin is nevertheless charming. The show has a lack of pretence; not something you’d usually get from a circus act. It feels more like a friend entertaining at a party (he calls himself ‘your friendly neighbourhood anarchist’) with a few tricks thrown in. Yet the ease and humour with which he lets the audience into his story, starting with going to prison at age 19, shows a 25 year-old comfortable enough in his own skin to simply be honest. So you can’t help but admire that sort of truth, or forgive him the sometimes clunky transitions between acts. In short, you go along for the ride.
Some tricks have the audience squirming in their seats (dancing with a drill bit embedded in his nose, swallowing raw eggs), while others cause sighs of wonder.
I’m still not sure what the peeing into a bucket at the very beginning is all about, but anyone who can wear a leopard-print onesie (“This is what Anarchy really looks like”) while giving us a tour of his various skin art with self-mocking humour gets my vote.
His tale hints at a deeper truth: a man who finds that anger isn’t the answer after all. He might be a tattooed ‘freak’, but he’s found the perfect place to express himself. It’s an enjoyable hour, and a great show to take any angry young people you know along to.
“You have your freedom out there. Doesn’t matter how you use it. Just, please, appreciate it.” Aye, Aye Captain.
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