Wallflower and Shafted

The Basement, Auckland

23/03/2010 - 27/03/2010

FRESH PRODUCE Season

Production Details



Two garden-fresh organic and fruity plays for less than a couple combos

New to the Auckland theatre scene with two untainted low calorie shows is Wallflower and Shafted: two comedies without the pesticide or bug bites.

Crisp but not yet pickled after their experience at Unitec School of Performing Arts School these pieces show the drive of new acting talents to create work which entertains and deliverers on a budget even they can afford.

10 bucks gives you Wallflower, a comedy for anyone who’s thoughts are divided and Shafted, a rollercoaster ride without leaving the elevator.

Part of The Basement’s Fresh Produce Season both productions are fresh from the picking and ready to bite. Created during their third year at drama school these shows are tight ready to be exposed.

So watch your waistline and enjoy this unprocessed, appetizing, snack.

FRESH PRODUCE
Tuesday 16th – Sunday 28th March
The Basement , Lower Greys Ave, Auckland CBD

Tues 16 – Weds 17 March: Battered 7pm
Thurs 18 – Sat 20 March: Pro-Posing 7pm
Tues 16 – Sat 20 March: Green Room 8pm
Tues 23 – Sat 27 March: Wallflower and Shafted 7pm
Tues 23 – Sat 27 March: The Idea of America 8:30pm & Sun 28 March 2:00pm. 

Door sales are available at The Basement Box Office one hour prior to the start of each show. 
www.basementspace.co.nz    


Wallflower:
Charlie – Gypsy Kauta
Logic – Sarah Graham
Emotion – Greg Padoa
Interviewer – Paul MacDiarmid

Shafted:
Gavin – Paul MacDiarmid
Valerie – Toni Rowe
Violet – Kirsten Ibbeston

Crew:
Producer – Patricia Phelan
Sound and lights – Michael Craven
Stage Manager – Devlin Bishop (TBC) 



Powerful and weak

Review by Karyn Cushen 25th Mar 2010

Wallflower and Shafted are two original New Zealand works that were handpicked to show as part of the two-week Fresh Produce season at The Basement. Marketed as “two fast-paced comedies, devised, written and performed” by graduates of Unitec’s School of Performing and Screen Arts, I was eager to assess the calibre of this up-and-coming talent.

Wallflower commences with a young woman casually crossing the floor and taking a seat, in what appears to be a waiting room. She – Charlie – is waiting to be interviewed for a promotion. But there is one wicked twist: she is audibly accompanied by her Emotions and Logic, and it packs one powerful black comedic punch. It’s candid, witty, well timed and the performance of Greg Padoa, Sarah Graham and especially Gypsy Kauta appears far superior to their recently graduated status.

The transition between pieces is swift. Gone is the waiting room and in its place, a makeshift elevator cab complete with light and irritating elevator music. This one metre squared box sets the scene for Shafted, a play that unimaginatively places three peculiar characters – a suicidal pregnant haemophobic, a nostalgic agoraphobic and a screechy American achluophobic* – in a small confined place.

Unfortunately for Shafted, the weaker of the two plays, a comedy requires more than an ironic placement of characters and progression of events to be successful. I was relieved when the lights dimmed on this particular performance.

It is a brief evening of theatre, clocking in under 50 minutes, that provides an insightful snapshot into the standard of New Zealand’s emerging theatre talent.

*[Fears of blood, open spaces/public places, and darkness respectively.]

Comments

Jonathan P March 29th, 2010

Well…what can I say about Wallflower. An absolutely brilliant show and one with extremely good comic timing and a natural flow of commentary on the mind and what we all think about during ‘stressful’ situations. I thought the ‘battle’ between logic and emotion was exceptionally delivered by Greg and Sarah, with Gypsy doing a masterful portrayal of the poor woman sweating through the experience. Well done guys!
I do now have to strongly disagree with the review posted about Shafted. It too was a comedy and one that had just as much punch and brilliantly timed humor as Wallflower. It hit all the right notes, getting more laughs than I could count. There are many forms of comedy and not all have to comment on real life situations. Some may be extra ordinary situations such as getting stuck in a lift with some odd people. In fact, I recon there are a few stories floating around very similar to that of Shafted. What I find a real shame is the very high caliber of acting which was not commented on, given this was apparently the reason for viewing the show. I would like to congratulate Paul MacDiarmid, Toni Rowe and Kirsten Ibbetson on a very well thought out, and extremely well acted play…and of course making me laugh until I couldn’t breathe.

Toby Goode March 26th, 2010

I personally found both short plays very entertaining and amusing. Sure the location for both wasn't overly imaginative, but it's what happens in those locations that makes the 20-30 minuites of each piece highly entertaining. The reviewer seemed to expect a story of deep and epic proportions from Shafted, yet not Wallflower. They were both designed to be quick, fun and entertaining pieces that portrayed interesting characters within interesting situations, which I believe both achieved.

"I was relieved when the lights dimmed on this particular performance" - This comment is slightly childish, and Shafted definately didn't deserve anything this harsh. I'm not sure if the reviewer had something personal against this performance, but this comment is out of place.

Don't pass off this show just because of this review, go make your own opinions, it is only $10 after all!

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