FLAMES
BATS Theatre, The Random Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
14/12/2021 - 18/12/2021
Production Details
A hip hop musical theatre show that tells the story of two private detectives solving a series of arson cases.
Private Detectives Morgan Reid and Ian Sheff are two of the best detectives in Wellington. Morgan is the long standing top agent in the country. By-the-book, sophisticated and with a ghostlike ability to escape.
Ian is the young, prodigal son of the agency. He is a sore loser and a rebel with an unorthodox ability to get the job done. After both being forced into a simple arson case due to reckless behaviour, they must move past their differences and work together to overcome the odds and uncover a much larger conspiracy that reaches internationally.
BATS Theatre, The Stage
14 – 18 December 2021
6.30pm
FULL: $18
CONCESSION: $14
GROUP 6+: $16
THE DIFFERENCE: $40
BOOK
Creative Team
Roy Iro: Producer, Writer, Creative Director and Performer.
Reon Bell: Writer, Creative Director, Music Producer and Performer
Harrison Keefe: Director
Amanda Joe: Production Manager
Sean Milward: Co-Writer, Dramaturg and Performer
Mia Bentley: Set Designer
Theatre , Musical , Hiphop ,
1 hr
Smart, sassy and exhilarating
Review by Margaret Austin 15th Dec 2021
As a 70+ year old, I’m feeling slightly self-conscious at the opening night at BATS of Flames, a show promoted as a hip-hop musical. When I spot the word “procrastinating” in the programme, possibly intended as some kind of excuse for what we are about to see, I feel only slightly comforted.
What unfolds onstage needs no kind of excuse. Flames tells the story of two private detectives, Ian (Reon Bell) and Morgan (Roy Iro) who are forced to put aside their differences to solve a case and uncover a conspiracy. The case concerns arson – seven buildings in Newtown – and they’ve been on it for ten months. Now Chief Don (Albert Latailakepa) has given them two weeks to wind it up.
Our bumbling detectives clearly can’t manage this on their own. In bursts Andre (Sean Rivera) whose personality and actions become the dominating force. Hilarious interchanges are peppered with local references. Digs at Te Papa’s earthquake house and cheap jewellery shop Lovissa raise shouts of glee from the audience. Best of all, though maybe mysteriously to some, the Wellington address 21 Marion Street as a location of interest gets a mention. The young man next to me gives a start of recognition – anyone else?
The cast is completed by The Godfather (Luz-Eliana Folau-Brown) whose entrance is a high point (literally) of the show.
The merits of this show are plenty. It’s cleverly conceived and written, its marvellously well staged – I don’t know when the performance area at BATS last got such a workout – and appropriately cast. Oh, and the hip hop element enhances the story without being overpowering.
Just one thing that may require attention – voices, especially singing ones – are rather too often indistinct. It wasn’t my hearing! – I checked with others.
The production is an earlier recipient of the Parkin Development Award. Director Harrison Keefe and cast are surely worthy of it. I couldn’t be more enthusiastic – this hip-hop musical is smart, sassy and exhilarating.
Give yourself a Christmas treat – get singed by Flames.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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