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

	2012 COMEDY FESTIVAL AWARDS [more] ASB Community Trust adds $5m to ATC theatre project [more] ATC / AUT PARTNERSHIP ANNOUNCED[more] Recently published plays reviewed in NZ Books [more] BLOOMSDAY! JUNE 16! THIRSTY DOG! Auck [more] The Basement as a risk share venue? FORUM 6 MAORI PLAYS ON TV 25/4 to 27/5 [more] Read Raw 2012, 1^st Sun monthly April-Sept, Auck [more] JOBS & OPPORTUNITIES on The Big Idea [more]
LANDMARK - *NZ Play Reading #3: THE TREE* by Stella Jones, Auck, Mon 28/5 [more] Centrepoint seeks Stage Hand 4/6-14/7, apply now [more] AUDITIONS – IMMACULATE by Oliver Lansley, 21/5 for JULY season, Wellington [more] AUDITION for 'Quiver' by Gina Vanessi, 27/5 for 31/7-11/8 season, Wellington [more Communications & Marketing Team Leader, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, apply by 28/5 [more] SUMMER SHAKESPEARE WELLINGTON SEEKS 2013 SEASON DIRECTOR, apply by 1/6 [more] ATC: THE NEXT STAGE FESTIVAL of new work, submit by 2/7 [more] CAROLINE PLUMMER FELLOWSHIP in community dance, apply by 1/06 [more] Short+Sweet Auckland, writers, directors, producers register by 6 /7 [more] If you are 'in the biz' and want to be one click away from someone who might want to work with you, put yourself on the PAD - i.e.** join the New Zealand Performing Arts Directory
The Intricate Art of Actually Caring at Downstage - return season (Wellington, from 25 May 2012) The Intricate Art of Actually Caring at Assembly Room, Hawkes Bay Opera House (Hastings, from 6 Jun 2012) STANDSTILL at BATS (Wellington, from 14 Jun 2012) STANDSTILL at Meteor Theatre (Hamilton, from 5 Jul 2012) STANDSTILL at Q Loft, 305 Queen St (Auckland, from 30 May 2012) Made in New Zealand 2012 - Footnote Dance Company at Opera House (Wellington, from 12 Jun 2012) Made in New Zealand 2012 - Footnote Dance Company at Q, Rangatira (Auckland, from 22 May 2012) BLOOMSDAY! at Thirsty Dog Tavern, Corner Howe St & Karangahape Rd (Auckland, from 16 Jun 2012) RIGOLETTO at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre (Auckland, from 7 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Memorial Hall (Queenstown, from 20 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at SIT Centrestage Theatre (Invercargill, from 13 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Memorial Hall (Alexandra, from 18 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Memorial Hall (Cromwell, from 19 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Real Journeys Fiordland Centre (Te Anau, from 15 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Opera House (Oamaru, from 24 Jun 2012) TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Town Hall (Ranfurly, from 23 Jun 2012) BARD DAY'S NIGHT at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 21 May 2012) ASSISTED LIVING at BATS (Wellington, from 23 May 2012) ULLA’S ODYSSEY & LOVE THY NEIGHBOUR at Opera Factory, 7 Eden Street Newmarket (Auckland, from 23 May 2012) COURSE RELATED COSTS at Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave (Auckland, from 29 May 2012) THE LION IN WINTER at The Pumphouse, Takapuna (Auckland, from 31 May 2012) Rock The Ballet at St James Theatre (Wellington, from 6 Jun 2012) Riverdance - the Farewell Tour 2012 at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre (Auckland, from 22 May 2012) Riverdance - the Farewell Tour 2012 at St James Theatre (Wellington, from 29 May 2012) Riverdance - the Farewell Tour 2012 at CBS Canterbury Arena (Christchurch, from 7 Jun 2012) The Nutcracker On Ice at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre (Auckland, from 3 Jul 2012) The Nutcracker On Ice at St James Theatre (Wellington, from 10 Jun 2012) KAHA: Short Works at Playhouse, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts (Hamilton, from 25 May 2012) COPENHAGEN at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs (Auckland, from 30 May 2012)

RIGOLETTO at St James Theatre, Wellington
reviewed by Sharon Talbot 21 May 2012

Full of powerful drama, glamorous spectacle, wonderful singing and highly evocative music
Let's be upfront here: Rigoletto is a nasty story – a nasty story set to great music. It is Verdi's music that transforms from scummy to tragic the age-old story of a glamorous playboy who takes women he fancies, willing or not, and gets away with it because of his wealth and position. [more]

See also reviews by:
John Button (The Dominion Post);

TWO FISH 'N' A SCOOP at Fortune Theatre, Dunedin
reviewed by Terry MacTavish 20 May 2012

Bitter sweet comedy and tough questions
Two Fish ‘N’ A Scoop is exactly the sort of polished professional production we need: a New Zealand playwright giving us our own voice, delighting us with laughter, yet forcing us to confront such dark and demanding issues as racial intolerance. [more]

MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 20 May 2012

Exuberant rendering pleases much
Shakespeare was only a decade into his astonishing art when he penned this play, so the dizzy delight of intricate plot lines, abundant romantic material and scintillating word play, all about 'Nothing', come before his mood darkened. [more]

THE NOWHERE SHOW at Brooklyn Bar - 57 Lorne St, Auckland
reviewed by Joanna Page 20 May 2012

Discomfort and awkwardness
“Want to belly laugh, shed some tears or even wee yourself a little bit?” read the promo blurb for this show. “Then here’s an experience you’ll never forget!” Yes, I did want to belly laugh, perhaps shed a tear or two, and put my pelvic floor muscles to the test. Sadly none of that happened. [more]

Andrew Miller - photograph by Stephen A'Court

ON THE OTHER HAND - NEW ZEALAND SCHOOL OF DANCE CHOREOGRAPHIC SEASON 2012 at Te Whaea, Wellington
reviewed by Virginia Kennard 20 May 2012

Cohesive staging a brilliant choice for student works
The stage is set throughout the performance with white bedroom furniture around the edges used, or not, to various ends by each choreographer. The inspired choice to use Gareth Okan’s piece to transition, introduce and conclude the performance, was incredibly successful in execution. The same costume was worn by each performer throughout, a consistent thread that took nothing away from the stark differences between pieces. [more]

RUDALI – THE MOURNER at TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
reviewed by Aidan-B. Howard 19 May 2012

Tragi-comic look at the roles and struggles of women in Indian society
While men may control their society in an administrative way, women seem to be the centre of the dynamic life of the society, and Mahasweta Devi [the Bengali writer who wrote the story the play is based on] captures this very well. And like any good writer, she blends the tragic with just the right amount of the comic. [more]

DICKENS' WOMEN at Regent Theatre, Dunedin
reviewed by Terry MacTavish 18 May 2012

Sublime character acting and acerbic commentary
Margolyes has created this remarkable solo show, which for years has toured the world, to spotlight the women both in the novels and the real life of Charles Dickens. “The greatest man who ever wrote English prose,” she has called him. “I love him and I hate him.” It is this passionate, conflicted response to the man and his work that fires her performance, still fresh and vivid after all this time. [more]

See also reviews by:
Nik Smythe
Laurie Atkinson (The Dominion Post);
John Smythe
Lynn Freeman (Capital Times);
Gail Tresidder

LOVEPUKE at Globe Theatre, Dunedin
reviewed by Kimberley Buchan 18 May 2012

A rollercoaster ride through relationship dynamics
Director Emma Feather Shaw brings us Duncan Sarkies' romp through Kiwi attitudes to relationships and sex in the surprisingly warm Globe Theatre. Lovepuke begins with myriad entrances and exits summing up the characters and relationship dynamics. The stage is littered with chairs which are stumbled over, thrown, built up and entwined with. [more]

See also reviews by:
Barbara Frame (Otago Daily Times);

PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: THE BUDGET SHOW at BATS, Wellington
reviewed by John Smythe 17 May 2012

See Winston save the world!
Nokise's astute observations and jibes allow the politically literate – of which there are many on opening night – to have a ball while there is plenty of broad comedy to keep the 'average person in the street' happy. [more]

See also reviews by:
Ewen Coleman

IN SPITE OF HIMSELF at Cashmere High School, Christchurch
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 17 May 2012

Much to enjoy and ponder
They know how to claim attention, this group, and they know how to sustain it. Set cleverly in transverse fashion across the body of a school hall, with the audience facing each other across the playing space, this series of issues-based pieces keeps ideas flowing and the adolescent audience – who could not all have wanted to be there – nicely attentive. [more]

See also reviews by:
John Smythe

PAREKOTUKU MOORE IN WHO DAT SHEILA? at Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Wellington
reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku 17 May 2012

A class act
This is a woman who knows her audience but better yet, and refreshingly, knows herself. We are observing Parekotuku Moore. Period. It’s very comforting and familiar. It’s like hanging out with a diva in the airport lounge, the whānau at the Pa or the bros leaning on a shovel. [more]

NGAIRE & NAUREEN’S PRISONTIME SPECIAL at Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
reviewed by Adey Ramsel 17 May 2012

We laugh like silly school kids
Hmmm, not sure where this one’s going. Or where it came from. I’m reminded of Blackadders line: “It started off badly, it tailed off a little in the middle and the less said about the end the better – but apart from that it was excellent.” [more]

"The Salient review: http://salient.org.nz/arts/quantum-sheep-animal-orchestra " - Editor   [read full comment]

"I went to opening night. I was lucky to receive x2 free tickets. Thanks a good start to the universe. Puzzled ..." - EELMAN RECORDS New Zealand   [read full comment]

"So John Smythe writes for posterity? Oh, dear. I fear that posterity will be just as irritated and unimp..." - Corus   [read full comment]

"John Smythe your reviewing a Guy Capper show is like a Grandma reviewing The Ren and Stimpy show. I attended o..." - lisa Hayes   [read full comment]

"Dan, there is no R in Jemaine. There is no S in Clement. Don't make him angry, you wouldn't like it when he's ..." - Nicky Brick   [read full comment]

"Again, I am glad you and the rest were entertained, Dan. On opening night, however, a well disposed audi..." - John Smythe   [read full comment]

"I agree Hobbs, i was at the last night... and yes it was rather entertaining. Not sure what show you saw John,..." - dan wilkinson   [read full comment]

"I just want to say I can not speak highly enough of this show. Just brilliant. What I find the mos..." - Sarah Harpur   [read full comment]

"Much appreciation. Let it beknown to the world: JOHN SMYTHE IS A FAIR AND REASONABLE MAN. .... I'm sure that w..." - James Nokise   [read full comment]

"OK James – thanks for the emailed details. I have edited some but not all. My concern is to represent th..." - John Smythe   [read full comment]

"[shakes fist] SMMYYTTHHEEEE!!! - stop giving away so many of my physical gags! You're killing me on the whole ..." - James Nokise   [read full comment]

"I don't agree at all. It certainly wasn't your standard smutty-joke filled, differnce between men & women..." - GreenLaughs   [read full comment]

21 May 2012 - The 2012 NZ International Comedy Festival A NIGHT OF CROWD SURFING, TOWELS AND GUMBOOTS As Marcel Lucont crowd surfed his way out of the SKYCITY theatre last night, entertaining the crowd – it was local stars Guy Williams and Rhys Darby who took home the big awards of the night at the Festivals closing event ‘Last Laughs’ hosted, this year, by Te Radar.   [more]

21 May 2012 - Rediscover our theatrical past with LANDMARK - New Zealand Play Reading Series #3: THE TREE by Stella Jones “Richard asked me last night to marry him. Out there. When you were all inside sewing.” All are welcome to attend the free play reading on Monday 28th May, 7pm at the University of Auckland Drama Studio (Level 3 Arts 1 Building).   [more]

16 May 2012 - Audition for 'Quiver' by Gina Vanessi Directed by Gavin Rutherford Season at Bats, July31st – August 11 Auditions on Sunday, 27 May 2012 10:00 until 14:00 Circa Theatre Rehearsal Room 2   [more]

15 May 2012 - Centrepoint Theatre: Stage hand position available Centrepoint Theatre (Palmerston North) is offering one lucky person the opportunity to be apart of an innovative, New Zealand Premiere, production.   [more]

14 May 2012 - ASB Community Trust Contributes $5 Million to Visionary New Theatre Project Auckland Theatre Company is delighted to announce ASB Community Trust will contribute $5m to the new theatre proposed for the Wynyard Quarter. The contribution takes the total pledged to the new theatre $21.7m. The total amount needed to build the new 600 seat venue is $35.1m.   [more]

14 May 2012 - University and Theatre partnership provides distinct future for NZ arts Auckland Theatre Company (ATC) and AUT University are pleased to announce New Zealand's first comprehensive theatre and university partnership. The partnership will be focussed on supporting the business of theatre through education.   [more]

14 May 2012 - THE PECULIAR BUSINESS Laurie Atkinson reviews new play script publications for NZ Books: Katydid - Lucy O’Brien | No 8 Wire: Eight Plays, Eight Decades - Playmarket | Plays 2: London Calling: Blue Sky Boys/John, I’m Only Dancing/Waterloo Sunset - Ken Duncum | Hurai - Harry Love   [more]

14 May 2012 - AUDITIONS – Immaculate by Oliver Lansley Monday, 21 May 2012, 09:00 until 17:00 You're young, free and single and haven't had sex for the last eleven and a half months, then one morning you wake up pregnant, and here is the Angel Gabriel on your doorstep claiming parentage. In Oliver Lansley's "Immaculate", things quickly spiral into farcical confusion ...   [more]