New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views

	2013 CHRISTCHURCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME UNVEILED [more] Festival of Colour audience survey [more] AUT TO PARTNER WITH ATC THEATRE PROJECT [more] MAIDMENT update from ATC [more] Support options to keep THEATREVIEW alive … Join the PAD as a Company, Co-op, Individual or School, or Donate to Theatreview. Step up for THEATREVIEW – take ownership! [more]
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Jane Austen Is Dead at BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon (Wellington, from 9 Jul 2013) GLORIA at Centrestage, Orewa (Auckland, from 29 Jun 2013) DANCING IN THE WAKE: The Story of Lucia Joyce at Expressions Arts & Entertainment Centre - Upper Hutt (Wellington, from 23 Jun 2013) DANCING IN THE WAKE: The Story of Lucia Joyce at The Riverbank Centre (Whangarei, from 21 Jun 2013) TU at Q Theatre. Rangatira - return season (Auckland, from 20 Jul 2013) K'RD STRIP at Downstage Theatre (Wellington, from 10 Jul 2013) K'RD STRIP at Regent Theatre (Dunedin, from 28 Jun 2013) SYDNEY BRIDGE UPSIDE DOWN at Downstage Theatre (Wellington, from 21 Jun 2013) SYDNEY BRIDGE UPSIDE DOWN at Q Theatre, Rangatira (Auckland, from 7 Aug 2013) SHORT+SWEET 2013 – THEATRE – Wildcard at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge (Auckland, from 22 Jun 2013) SHORT+SWEET 2013 – THEATRE – Week 2 at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge (Auckland, from 25 Jun 2013) SHORT+SWEET 2013 – SONG & THEATRE Gala Final at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge (Auckland, from 30 Jun 2013) GAME OF THINGS at BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon (Wellington, from 26 Jun 2013) THE PITCHFORK DISNEY at Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St (Auckland, from 20 Jun 2013) Birth/Death at Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre (Auckland, from 26 Jun 2013) NICK: AN ACCIDENTAL HERO at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 2 Jul 2013) NICK: AN ACCIDENTAL HERO at BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon (Wellington, from 25 Jun 2013) ODYSSEY at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs (Auckland, from 26 Jun 2013) Piccolo Cor: A Journey in Beauty and Belonging at Allen Hall Theatre (Dunedin, from 27 Jun 2013) C – A MUSICAL at Circa One (Wellington, from 6 Jul 2013) CAT AND MOUSE at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 9 Jul 2013)

KAHA 2013 at Gallagher Concert Chamber, Wel Academy of Performing Arts, Waikato University, Hamilton
reviewed by Liza Kire 20 Jun 2013

Sustained flow of energy
Using their bodies as a group to create what appeared to me like the entrance to a Marae, a race to the finish line and at one point to create the feel that a Ta Moko was being lifted off the skin and taken into a three dimensional form shows the dedication of these performers and the hard work they’ve put in. The culturally rich meaning behind all of the numbers is a pleasure to see taking elements such as the traditional Maori stick game to a whole new level. Gone are the days of simply sitting on ones knees and keeping the simple beat to the song E Papa Waiari. The same beat was used but kicks and jumps, leaps and flips have been added to give it a modern feel that I can see taking off and becoming the new challenge in terms of tititoria (short sticks). [more]

See also reviews by:
Kathleen Mantel
Peter Nee Harland

SHORT+SWEET 2013 – THEATRE – WEEK 1 at Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland
reviewed by Vanessa Byrnes 19 Jun 2013

Eclectic mix of Treats to savour
Each year Short + Sweet Theatre produces “hundreds of the best ten minute plays from across the globe produced by some of the most talented local actors and directors”. This evening’s eclectic offerings of week one: Auckland Short + Sweet at the Herald Theatre are a mixed bag of different tasting lollies that you’ll be glad you sampled. [more]

See also reviews by:
Sharu Delilkan (TheatreScenes - the Auckland Theatre Blog);

JANEECE GUNTON: HERSTORY at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
reviewed by Heidi North-Bailey 19 Jun 2013

Raw delight
From the moment the door opens and Janeece (Yvette Parsons) appears on a mobility scooter, throwing the C word in front of her like no tomorrow, looking worse for wear after a hard night losing her sick husband’s pension at the casino, we know we’re in for a treat. [more]

ANNE BOLEYN at Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland
reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe 17 Jun 2013

Naked self-serving ambition and greed, driven by fear
The premise is bold, colourful, fun, accessible and upfront. We are thrust into the muddle of religious doctrine; into the middle an ambitious self-serving monarch, parliament and church. In addition, Brenton portrays Anne as committed to the protestant cause above all else – an astute and fearless political strategist rather than the more popularised view of an ambitious gold-digging minx ... [more]

See also reviews by:
Paul Simei-Barton (New Zealand Herald);
James Wenley (TheatreScenes - the Auckland Theatre Blog);

TRIBES at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin
reviewed by Terry MacTavish 17 Jun 2013

Funny, daring, hopeful, insightful
Lara Macgregor’s production of Nina Raine’s multi-award-winning work is as enlightening as it is enthralling. This is marvellously challenging theatre which entertains with wicked dialogue delivered at breathless pace, while demanding empathy for Billy, the only deaf member of a hearing (and aggressively speaking) family. [more]

TABLE 12 at Ferrymead Friendly Societies Hall, Christchurch - Canterbury
reviewed by Kerri Fitzgerald 17 Jun 2013

NZ funk/lounge on the menu
A series of ‘vinaigrettes’ unfold - from appetizers to ‘New York ‘style - each course titillating and tantalizing the audience keeping teenagers to octogenarians fully attentive. Duos, trios, quartets, and ensemble numbers, all of equal strength, simply burst into life. And then there are the solos: Andrew Sheppard devilishly delights with his chocolate (cockolate) number wearing highly desirable boots that are a marvel to behold, Bina sings cabaret style with verve, and Sean James’ ‘Dessert’ is rich, fluid and elegant. [more]

TU at Circa One, Wellington
reviewed by Hannah Smith 17 Jun 2013

Potent emotional story makes for resounding theatre
The performances are strong and the ensemble cast work seamlessly together. Non-verbal sequences show us the tangled and troubled history of the characters; the rhythms, imagery and theatricality of these arrangements connects powerfully with the audience and drive the energy forward. [more]

See also reviews by:
John Smythe
Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA at St James Theatre, Wellington
reviewed by Jo Hodgson 15 Jun 2013

Another spectacular night at the theatre
And what a journey! The sumptuous overture (played excellently by instrumentalists from Orchestra Wellington) accompany the set transformation into the Opera House as it was in 1881 and the chandelier rises like a spaceship to the ceiling. There are operatic melodies, diva antics, frayed nerves, mysterious voices, fatal ‘accidents’, hidden lairs, magical mirrors, young love, longing and despair and the singing, oh what fabulous singing. [more]

See also reviews by:
Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post);

DANCING IN THE WAKE: THE STORY OF LUCIA JOYCE at Dance Studio, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton
reviewed by Dr Karen Barbour 15 Jun 2013

Engaging us in laughter, loss and literature
As she twists, travels and twirls through the space, marvellous shifts in Lucia’s dancing between social and performative styles make for a delicious choreographic mix and much laughter. Duets with Smythe as Lucia’s father Joyce and as her lover Samuel are highlights and even some audience members get short dances with the flirtatious Lucia. Adding a rendition of Josephine Baker’s famous banana dance, and later (with some artistic licence around the facts), Nijinski’s ‘dance of your war’, [more]

See also reviews by:
Claire O'Neil
Caoilinn Hughes
Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post);
Deirdre Tarrant (Capital Times);
Jonathan W. Marshall
Lindsay Clark
Alan Scott (The Christchurch Press);
Mark Houlahan

K'RD STRIP at Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland
reviewed by Raewyn Whyte (NZ Herald) 14 Jun 2013

Cabaret a whirlwind salute to K' Rd
The six performers are multi-talented, able to sing and dance and act. They are all in fine voice for the 19 iconic Kiwi tracks. A good deal of credit must go to Jason Te Mete, the musical director as well as part of the cast, for the fine ensemble singing. [more]

See also reviews by:
Jesse Quaid
Sharu Delilkan (TheatreScenes - the Auckland Theatre Blog);

"And of course the key to it all is that Lucia Joyce is seeking her own fame in the wake of her father's." - John Smythe   [read full comment]

"Oh Roberta, I see you have come back and edited your little missive... at least the grammar is better, though ..." - Hellojohny   [read full comment]

"The Gala Final last night was a fantastic evening of dance and made the judges decisions very hard!!! After mu..." - Lydia Zanetti   [read full comment]

"the above comment is a little personal and on the nose... perhaps you could comment about the work and not the..." - hellojonny   [read full comment]

"I found Wild Card show monotonoes. I thought that it might get wild and experimental, but didn't expect to loo..." - Roberta   [read full comment]

"Thanks" - gelyte   [read full comment]

"Thank you for reviewing the performance. I just wanted to note that the Heke house is played by Maori actors -..." - Sasha Gibb   [read full comment]

"Ernest Rutherford's pecuniary concern (or lack thereof) is, of course, immortalised in the statement &ldq..." - Michael Smythe   [read full comment]

"We loved seeing 'Virtuosi' here in Wellington, and having Sue Healey as guest teacher at the New Zealand Schoo..." - New Zealand School of Dance   [read full comment]

"I should add that in the past couple of days friends and colleagues in Auckland and Christchurch have told me,..." - John Smythe   [read full comment]

"I would not and could not have written this review unless I perceived the play as described, so I stand by it ..." - John Smythe   [read full comment]

"This reviewer must have some filtering device fitted which translates the events before him onstage into a fan..." - Alex   [read full comment]

19 Jun 2013 - 2013 CHRISTCHURCH ARTS FESTIVAL PROGRAMME UNVEILED The full programme for the 2013 Christchurch Arts Festival has been released featuring more than 50 events spread across five weeks from 22 August to 22 September.   [more]

17 Jun 2013 - AUDIENCE SURVEY HIGHLIGHTS POPULARITY AND ECONOMIC BENEFIT OF FESTIVAL OF COLOUR Findings from a detailed audience survey conducted by the Southern Lakes Festival of Colour emphasise the enduring popularity of the biennial celebration of art, music, theatre and conversation as well as the important economic benefit it brings to the region.   [more]

13 Jun 2013 - AUT TO PARTNER WITH ATC IN A NEW ZEALAND FIRST AUT University is investing $5 million in the Waterfront Theatre Project at Auckland's Wynyard Quarter's Innovation Precinct. The new partnership with Auckland Theatre Company (ATC), whereby AUT will own 15% of the limited liability company established to develop, own and maintain the new theatre, is the first of its kind in New Zealand.   [more]

31 May 2013 - INSPIRING A NEW INDUSTRY: ARTS IN THE WELLINGTON REGION A FORUM TO DISCUSS COLLABORATION IN THE ARTS IN THE WELLINGTON REGION Can we do for the region’s arts industry what has been achieved for New Zealand’s wine industry?   [more]

16 May 2013 - MAIDMENT UPDATE (and other matters) FROM THE AUCKLAND THEATRE COMPANY We have been advised by the University of Auckland that they are driving their contractors to have the Maidment Theatre repaired by the end of June. If this time frame is achieved, which we have every reason to believe it will be, the season of The Heretic and The Lion Foundation season of Lord of the Flies will go ahead as scheduled.   [more]

9 May 2013 - The annual PLAYMARKET PLAYWRIGHTS b4 25 competition challenges young playwrights (ages 24 and under)to write aboutanything that matters to them in any way they like, for any kind of audience they like.   [more]

7 May 2013 - EIGHT WEEK COURSE & THEATRE PRODUCTION ACTING CLASSES & FILM PROJECT When: Monday and Wednesdays; 6.30pm – 9.30pm. Term Two: Monday 27th May – Monday 22nd July. Where: Raye Freedman Arts Centre, Epsom Girls Grammar, Auckland. Fee: $825 (Payment options available and Early Bird Discount of $775).   [more]

6 May 2013 - NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETED SHOW AT CENTREPOINT FOR SHOP ’TIL YOU DROP During New Zealand Sign Language Week (13-19 May) Centrepoint Theatre will be offering the Deaf community a NZSL signed performance of our current show, Shop ’Til You Drop.   [more]