BLUE BATHS COMEDY CABARET 2015: It’s a Quack Up
Blue Baths, Government Gardens, Queens Drive, Rotorua
13/01/2015 - 20/02/2015
Production Details
WHIMSICAL, OFF-THE-WALL ENTERTAINMENT SET TO MAKE A BIG SPLASH
Rotorua’s gloriously refurbished Blue Baths come alive this summer with their now annual and soon-to-be infamous COMEDY CABARET for 2015. Expect song, dance, glittering madness, magic and hilarity when this hugely popular rendezvous of revelry takes the stage from January 13. It’s a quack up… and just a little bit naughty.
Way back when, the Blue Baths were the first bathhouse in New Zealand to allow men and women to bathe together. And that spirit of boundary pushing has never gone away. Embodying its own spirit of art deco decadence and risqué history, this larger-than-life hootenanny sees audiences indulging in bespoke cocktails and sharing platters as their funny bones get tickled.
Creators Ian Harman and Darlene Mohekey have crafted a wild night out that mashes up the genres of comedy, illusion and burlesque, with a songbook that journeys from James Brown to Mary Poppins and from jazz right through to disco.
“Last year’s Comedy Cabaret was such a hit with our audiences, pure joy in fact, that it begged a sequel. We are so proud to have an original work, created and performed by an outstanding cast of clever Kiwis to showcase our beautiful venue. Audiences this summer are in for a treat,” says Jo Romanes, Blue Baths managing director.
In something of a coup, the Blue Baths are delighted to announce that they’ve recruited iconic NZ talents to stage the production. Much-loved by audiences and currently onscreen in the riotous Kiwi horror flick Housebound, Rima Te Wiata brings a wealth of musical theatre experience and comic nouse as director. Choreographer and local boy Taiaroa Royal is creating the crazy dance routines. The artistic director of Okareka Dance Company, Tai regularly choreographs high profile events across Australasia including the Montana World of Wearable Arts Awards and Auckland’s Christmas in the Park.
They sing. They dance. They act. The Blue Baths are delighted to announce a team of true triple-threat stars which include Jason Chasland (Spector with The Beat Girls), Darlene Mohekey (TV1’s Facelift, Wings) alongside exciting newcomers Tainui Kuru and Nomi Cohen and burlesque performer Lola Illusion. In this rendezvous of revelry, they’ll bring to life a host of larger-than-life characters including the glorious Vixen Vamp, a dynamite diva whose chameleon-like voice channels everything from opera to smoky jazz. There will be tap-dancing. There will be illusion. There might even be juggling.
This annual event keeps New Zealand’s love affair with cabaret well and truly alive. From Debbie Dorday’s legendary 1980s hotspot Burgundy’s to the more recent success of shows like La Clique and Cantina, New Zealand audiences have never shied away from their share of the whoopee. After all, there is absolutely nothing wrong with a bit of shameless entertainment. Unmissable.
BLUE BATHS COMEDY CABARET 2015 plays
January 13 – February 20
Weekdays and Saturday at 8pm. Sunday at 4pm.
Blue Baths, Government Gardens, Rotorua
Tickets on sale now from bluebaths.co.nz or 07 350 2119
Premium: $55. Adult: $45. Senior Citizens: $35. Cheap Tuesday (January 20 only): $25.
Cast
Vixen Vamp: Darlene Mohekey
Lola Illusion: Ian Harman
Aldolpho Aldolpho: Tainui Kuru
Buster : Jason Chasland
Rosie: Nomi Cohen
Director: Rima Te Wiata
Choreographer: Taiaroa Royal
Musical Director: Darlene Mohekey
Producer: Jo Romanes
Production Assistant: Jess Sayer
Lighting Designer: Ambrose Hills-Simonson
Costume Designer: Ian Harman
Seamstresses: Julie Mohekey and Charlie Baptist
Set Design: Ian Harman
Set Construction: Ian Harman and Sera Devcich
Stage Construction: Mark Paulger and his builders
Lighting / Sound Operator: Matt Eller
Follow Spot Operator: Jess Sayer
Burlesque reveals real talent
Review by Jill Nicholas 16th Jan 2015
Burlesque has come to the Blue Baths and Rotorua’s nightlife is all the better for it.
This show is a delicious melange of everything that makes showbiz showbiz. There’s glamour, there’s glitz, there’s a heady musical mix, laughs by the bucket load, a touch of pathos, colour, outrageous costumes, inspired lighting and an illusionist trickster who has even the most cynical pondering how could this possibly be?
It’s a heady mix that has heads spinning. [More]
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
Flamboyance, sophistication and humour
Review by Jill Harrington and Kaye Graham 15th Jan 2015
And it is – a Quack Up! What an amazing production: a professional, classy cabaret show which deserves recognition beyond Rotorua.
The Blue Baths provides the perfect setting for shabby chic glamour, with a show set back in the venue’s heyday: the 1930s. Pushing the barriers when it opened back in 1933, the Baths encouraged rather risqué behaviour when seemingly scantily clad bathers enjoyed mixed-sex bathing, for the first time in New Zealand. Blue Baths Comedy Cabaret attempts to capture the spirit of the era with flamboyance, sophistication and humour – lots of it!
Producer Jo Romanes is to be congratulated for putting this production together with a team of NZ professionals. We have Rima Te Wiata (well known actress) as the director, Taiaroa Royal (originally from Rotorua and one of NZ’s most outstanding & versatile dancers) as choreographer and Creators Ian Harman and Darlene Mohekey. Together the team of 5 actors/dancers/singers creates an evening which is thoroughly enjoyable and entertaining.
From the minute we walk into the ‘theatre’ the layout of table-seating and uncluttered stage setting makes us feel as though we could be in any cabaret theatre in the world. Creators Ian Harman (Lola Illusion) and Darlene Mohekey (Vixen Vamp) have crafted a wild night out that mashes up the genres of comedy, illusion and burlesque, with a songbook ranging from Mary Poppins to James Brown and from jazz through to disco.
The first half is focussed on 30s-40s burlesque style cabaret. From the opening song we are blown away by the talent of the vocalists: Darlene Mohekey as Vixen Vamp has the most powerful and versatile voice and both Jason Chasland (Buster) and Tainui Kuru (Aldolpho) are excellent in both their singing and dance performances. Congratulations must go to Taiaroa Royal for his amazing choreography – he is a genius. The show flows flawlessly.
Our Mr Lola Illusion (Ian Harman) as the magician is an absolute delight – his costuming is hilarious and his magic leaves us saying “how did he do that”? His tricks are simple but his personality and sauciness are beguiling.
The audience participation is very cleverly done. A few of us are targeted and one lady is asked onto the stage. Another audience member is enticed onto the stage by Lola as part of one of his magic sets.
Naomi Cohen is a delightful addition to the team and is an excellent dancer.
The majority of the second half is performed to more modern music which creates a lot of foot-tapping from the audience and bouncier dancing with the characters’ costumes ranging from King Kong to nuns’ outfits, finishing with classy cabaret beautiful designs; well done to the seamstresses!.
It is a thoroughly enjoyable show. Let’s hope Rotorua (and other cities) support a very professional and talented production. Going to a show that makes you laugh is a must!
Just one niggle – while the venue supports the concept because of its era, it lacks the modern day comforts of air conditioning! Perhaps portable fans would cool the air for the audience and the performers.
Copyright © in the review belongs to the reviewer
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