BWW Review: A MAN OF GOOD HOPE at ASB Waterfront TheatreMarch 15, 2019This performance not only circumnavigated around my heart several times but captured it in a willing surrender of raw emotional energy.
I have never seen or experienced anything quite like it. The raw, basal emotion that was produced from the carefully crafted vocal sounds was simply incredible; dynamics like I've never seen before. If you can go, you must, if you can't, find a way!
BWW Review: HAMLET at Pop-up Globe AucklandMarch 12, 2019It's those feelings and desires to which we can all connect. Shakespeare knew this well - and the direction of this play presented a range of skilled and moving performances that had groundlings in front of me, and the audience seated in the bays of the lower gallery beside me, entirely captivated. It is an outstanding final show in the 2018/2019 Pop Up season.
BWW Review: MEASURE FOR MEASURE at Pop-up Globe AucklandMarch 11, 2019How apt being here just after the celebrations of International Women's Day! All feminists need to see this and those who are not, also need to see this. It is bawdy so leave the under 16's at home.
Although billed a comedy ( and it is certainly very funny), there is a great commentary about how women used their subservient role to get what they wanted and when the nun forgives the Mayor at the end (spoiler alert!) women come out on the moral high ground - clever clever clever!
BWW Review: CALIFORNIA SUITE at Howick Little TheatreMarch 11, 2019Neil Simon's 'California Suite,' a 1970's series of stories set in a fictitious Beverly Hills Hotel Room gives us a snapshot of relationships and the human condition within 4 different scenarios. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant each piece is engaging revealing a deeper more significant insight of the characters involved.
BWW Review: 42ND STREET at Centrestage Theatre Company OrewaMarch 10, 2019Leading ladies Megan O'Reilly playing Dorothy Brock and Geena Hutton as Peggy Sawyer are both powerhouses of talent.
O'Reilly certainly channels her inner diva, stepping into the role like a hand in a glove. She plays up her 'past her use by date' persona until she sings and dances revealing talent galore and matching her onstage rival, Geena Hutton, step for step, kick for kick and voice for voice. Hutton is superb.
BWW Review: ARSENIC AND LACE at Dolphin TheatreMarch 5, 2019While this is a light-hearted frolic through a well-crafted piece, there is irony in each of the characters and levels of social commentary particularly around the issue of euthanasia. Social status, acceptability and credibility are all well represented.
BWW Review: DELUX DELUX at Hamilton Gardens Arts FestivalFebruary 21, 2019Those over 18 are guaranteed a night of raucous laughter. The comedy, the skill, the surprises, the wanton sexual overtones and the laughter, oh the laughter! It's all there in this incredible show brought to you by a line up of international talent
BWW Review: JOAN at ASB Waterfront TheatreFebruary 13, 2019Having already tasted 'the fine wine' after an exquisite journey with 'The Daylight Atheist', award-winning playwright Tom Scott's story about his father, I was unsure how I was going to feel about 'Joan', Scott's play about his mother.
'Joan' takes us on a different path and so it should.
BWW Review: THE DAYLIGHT ATHEIST at ASB Waterfront TheatreFebruary 9, 2019Michael Hurst is simply captivating as Danny Moffat. Hurst didn't show us the life of Danny Moffat, he took us with him, transporting us to another time and place melding both skill and charisma. This is a first-class theatre experience
BWW Review: TWELFTH NIGHT at PumpHouse TheatreJanuary 31, 2019The beautiful setting of the amphitheatre on the shore of Lake Pupuke and adjacent to the main PumpHouse Theatre is the perfect place to enjoy a night of Shakespearean theatre. Come early and enjoy the offerings of the French Rendezvous Cafe complete with bar facilities. Bring your own cushions and blankets if you wish and set yourself up for a great night of theatre right in the centre of the North Shore.
BWW Feature: DOLPHIN THEATRE AWARDS NIGHT at Dolphin TheatreDecember 11, 2018The world premiere of emerging playwright Richard De Luca's 'Death of a Dream' has certainly paid off for Dolphin Theatre's Committee as it took out an array of awards including Best Production, Best Female Lead Role, Best Supporting Female, Best Supporting Male and Best character male at their annual end of year awards night and Christmas party.
BWW Review: NELL GWYNN at Dolphin TheatreNovember 25, 2018Director Syd Mannion and his team have encapsulated the essence of what this story is about and this is the crucial success of this production.
The characters are sensationally played; they are charismatic, exquisitely presented in delicious period costume and the story is supported with a craftily constructed set.
BWW Review: SHORTLAND STREET THE MUSICAL at ASB Waterfront TheatreNovember 20, 2018Shortland St the Musical. Was that a sharp intake of breath? What madness is this? At least, that was my reaction when I first heard that this show was being developed into a full-length musical comedy. I have seen little bits and pieces of the long-running soap, but I never really recognised what my other friends saw in it and therefore chose to block it out of my television browsing hours. I do feel compelled however to pay homage to the long-standing show, well into its third decade and has been sold to many overseas countries.
BWW Review: BIG FISH at Off Broadway TheatreNovember 20, 2018I was intrigued to see how the producers would breathe life into this and they have crafted a show that takes you on a bittersweet journey that is incredibly moving. And yes....you will cry. I am slightly annoyed at them for making me cry in public, I like to keep up my tough guy reputation...but I could not hold back.
BWW Review: I'LL LEAVE IT TO YOU at Howick Little TheatreNovember 14, 2018Howick Little Theatre's production of I'll Leave It to You successfully transports the audience back to another time with a sublime attention to detail of every aspect of the production. The full house on Opening Night was treated to a hilarious farce encased in a visually authentic wrapping of superb set and costumes.
BWW Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at Centrestage Theatre Company OrewaOctober 30, 2018The much-loved characters of yesteryear are brought to life in this resplendent production that more than pays homage to the 1939 movie version of this show.
Director Michael Sanders and his team have created a magnificent production igniting the same feelings of wonder and joy that the movie version brought to the screen whilst playing the full advantage of the medium of live theatre.
BWW Previews: THE WIZ at Spotlight Theatre Manukau Performing ArtsOctober 26, 2018Manukau Performing Arts production of 'The Wiz'
is an exuberant journey down the yellow brick road in an original Pasifika Panto style. It's entertaining, energetic and brimming with talent.
The diverse cast is bound in the unity of voice; each with a rich, unique sound that complements the funky soulful and bluesy music score. The singing is stunning. Any of those voices could slip into a New York nightclub with ease.