CONSTANTINOPLE
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by Barnie Duncan with Trygve Wakenshaw Theatre Beating [1hr] at The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland From 2 Mar 2011 to 4 Mar 2011 BATS, Wellington From 2 May 2012 to 5 May 2012 Civic Theatre, Auckland From 11 May 2012 to 12 May 2012 The Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland From 2 Apr 2013 to 6 Apr 2013 Reviewed by: Lillian Richards; John Smythe; Rosabel Tan (Theatre Scenes - Auckland Theatre Blog); Nik Smythe; Matt Baker (Theatre Scenes - Auckland Theatre Blog); |
Look out there. You see that? Okay… now look… Beyond.
Through. Inside. Outside… to the city of Constantinople. Amazing isn't it. Now come back. Back to now. Do you see that man? He is Barnie.
Barnie discovered his love of theatre at the tender age of four when he enrolled in the Theatre Arts Workshop in his hometown of Palmerston North. He attended the famous Bromley Clown School in London at age 7.
Upon moving to Auckland as a teenager Barnie began participating in theatre and music steadily. He has worked internationally and appeared in Harold Pinter's The Hothouse in Barcelona (2000) not to mention numerous stints on the big and small screen back home and abroad – Shortland St, Power Rangers, Outrageous Fortune, Show of Hands, Labou.
He formed the company Theatre Beating with co-conspirator Trygve Wakenshaw which has made several works of genius – Happy Hour for Miserable Children (Best Comedy at the 2004 Fringe Festival), The Magic Chicken (which toured the nations arts festivals in 2005), Join us at Ricks, Rumplestilts, This Is A Plum (Best Outdoor 2006 Fringe Festival), and most recently The Pied Piper of Hamilton. The work of Theatre Beating centred around the art of slapstick, and Barnie has spent many years exploring this style, and has acquired a commanding knowledge of acro-balance and physical comedy.
Barnie has been writing absurdist plays for years, and his play Shit, Ubu Shit! won the 2008 SmackBang Playwrite award and enjoyed a two-week season at The Basement Theatre. Barnie's musical explorations have included co-founding the 15 piece afro-soul band The Hot Grits in which he plays rhythm guitar and sings, and his new band History of Snakes is also arousing much attention. He also gigs regularly as a DJ under the cunning alias Uncle Barnie.
But back to…
Constantinople. Throughout the Middle Ages it was Europe's largest and wealthiest city. And then suddenly, in 1930 the name of the city was dropped in favour of the Turkish name Istanbul. Curious.
In this mostly one-man show Barnie Duncan explores a variety of subjects, that may or may not include the Ottoman Empire and possibly and excursion into the Byzantium Empire as well.
What were their parties like? Did their horses talk?
All this and a selection of nice records to listen during the show, because as well as being an actor, Barnie is a DJ.
Were there DJs in Constantinople?
Barnie has been meaning to make a solo show for long time. He almost gets there with Constantinople, but gets some surprise guests to do some surprise business, so it doesn't really count as a solo show.
Constantinople. Look out for it.
The Basement</span>
Wed 2 - Fri 4 March, 10pm
TICKETS: Adult $15, Conc/Child $12
BOOKING: www.iticket.co.nz (09) 361 1000
As part of the NZ International Comedy Festival 2012
now a 2-hander with Barnie and Trygve
CONSTANTINOPLE
WELLINGTON
Date: Wed2 – Sat 5 May, 9.30pm
Venue: BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, CBD
Bookings: 04 802 4175 www.bats.co.nz
Tickets: Adult $20, Conc. $14, Group 6+ $14
Duration: 1 hour
AUCKLAND
Date: Fri 11 - Sat 12 May, 10.30pm
Venue: Wintergarden, The Civic, Cnr Wellesley & Queen St
Bookings: 0800 BUYTICKETS, WWW.BUYTICKETS.CO.NZ
Tickets: Adult $25 Conc. $20, Group 6+ $20
Duration: 1 hour 30 mins +
For a full line up of performances, booking details &more information, visit www.comedyfestival.co.nz
2013
Dates & Times: 2 - 6 April, 9pm
Venue: Basement Theatre Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland CBD
Prices*: $20
*Booking fees may apply
Book Now
Auckland, 2011 - Barnie Duncan
Comedy Festival 2012 & 2013 return season: Barnie Duncan and Trygve Wakenshaw