Monica Moore - Page 8

The Atom Room; a story of our primal need to survive, our innate nature to love and desire to procreate amidst a futurist dilemma of interplanetary habitation. There's a number of firsts to be experienced at Circa Theatre's The Atom Room. First up it's a World Premiere, written by New Zealand Playwright Philip Braithwaite. It's also first to create a prologue in virtual reality, which certainly tugged at my heartstrings more than a little. To see Wellington, the city I know and love well, so different from my own reality is disconcerting and literally illuminated the just-as-disconcerting question 'Do we need to find another planet to inhabit in the future

World Premiere of a romantic and thrilling new play by award-winning New Zealand playwright Philip Braithwaite, featuring new music from electronic music icons MINUIT.

Abstractedly alluring yet provocatively familiar, Morningstar transports us to a dimension where a mythological story confronts us with the very core of human nature. Award-winning playwright Albert Beltz has masterfully crafted a prose that is a lyrical symphony of superbly honey-rich language. He transports the essence of humanity; our conflict for order and freedom, our moral reasoning and free will and packs it into a rollicking great yarn.

There's something new and exciting in store for Auckland Theatregoers with the World Premiere of Morningstar opening at the Pumphouse tomorrow night. Producers Sapphire Productions had a huge success with comedy hit Nigel last year, playing to sold-out audiences. This year it's Morningstar; an action-packed high stakes drama written by award-winning playwright Albert Beltz.

If the line up of one-acts and performers was a menu then Dolphin has served up a delectable gustation for a more than generous price.The cast line up is dazzling with well-known super talents Keith Marr, Bridie Dixon, Kristin Candice Paulse and Sam Iosefo.A set should only ever be the icing on the cake and Raymond Vinten and Charlotte Robinson were both testament to this, delivering excellent performances with minimal props.Mike Daley and John Edwards deliver memorable and comedic performances in their roles as good mates.

The two plays and one musical on offer are irresistible with all three being written by award-winning writers; Robert Scott, Aaron Sorkin, and Lin-Manuel Miranda respectively. Dolphin Theatre have put together a menu of simply delicious entertainment! The line up of performers alone is enough to get you securing your ticket and just skimming the cast list names such as Keith Marr, Bridie Dixon and Sam Iosefo catch my eye. I have reviewed them before and they are excellent.

George Bernard's Shaw's play is a sharp comedy that rides on a social commentary based on his beliefs that prostitution is not about moral failure but economic necessity. Awarding-winning director Eleanor Bishop ( Boys 2017) is both a writer and director creating feminist theatre. Bishop has deconstructed and re-framed Shaw's work adding an extra character in the form of Kitty Warren's sister Liz who provides a window from a of a sex worker's perspective.

The much-loved 1964 musical is a timely reminder that we are standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. Traveling back to Anatevka feels more familiar than expected. The music is wonderfully familiar and the all time popular 'Tradition', 'Matchmaker Matchmaker', 'If I were a Rich Man' and 'Sunrise, Sunset' to name but a few, will have you singing along. The orchestra is beautiful and pays homage to the much loved music. Musical Director Edwin Randall is indeed a supreme maestro.

The cast is fabulous and is supported by a creatively constructed set to deliver this much-loved story.

What would you do to go home? This futurist piece will quench the thirst of sci-fi apocalyptic theatre lovers for sure.

The vibe amongst the audience as we left the theatre was very definite. I had to control my urge to hug random strangers and tell them I loved them. I could just tell others wanted to do the same! 'Love me Tender, Love me do'. This timeless message from the heart was delivered in a refreshing and touching way melting even the hardest of hearts.

Be prepared to be uncomfortably dazzled and delectably delighted by North Shore Music Theatre's season of Heathers.While labeled a black comedy, Heathers is a razor-sharp satire of teenage High School dilemma delivered through a deliciously uncomfortable glorious lens. This show may be about teenagers but it is for those looking back on a time in the past and making connections to what's going on in the world today.

It's unusual to be confronted by themes suicide, bullying, sexual assault and murder when you spend a night at your local community musical but this is what North Shore Musical Theatre's production of Heathers offers. Theatre replicates life and with the talk around the world about the horror of the school shootings in America, this musical is very timely. Although a black comedy in it's essence, Heathers explores uncomfortable and difficult issues.

There's always a definite vibe within the walls of a theatre; it's the nature of its purpose; to create an atmosphere, sparking the emotions and stimulating the senses.

There's nothing in life that can stop you from reaching your dreams, only you can stop yourself. Tevita Lolohea's dream is to win gold for his country at the Olympics but when life hits him with a punch he never expected, more than just his dreams are tested. His heart, his will, and his faith are all put to the test. This play has heart, pathos and Tongan humour as the reality of life for many Tongan families in New Zealand is clearly identified through this story of family love and the struggles to make ends meet while still living by their deeply traditional and cultural religious values.

There's no natural light. It's all 'created'. Words and music notes are taken off the pages and placed in a space that manifests the power to interpret and share with others. The colours, sounds, moods and emotions are all man-made. It's glorious!

The rock aspect came across loud and strong throughout the show. Ron Grut as Jesus has an incredible voice that more than delivers the emotion demanded by this role. While the music (circa 1970 AD) and the message (circa 30 AD) are timeless this show is set in a mix of the two. with a bit of 70's Godspell-meets-Hair and the addition of some Broadway razzamatazz. The strength is in the powerhouse of vocals that the company delivers.

Expect your emotions to be immersed in the story as Goretti Chadwick in the role of Mama, conquers, engages and takes you on an emotional journey of her struggles and feelings. One cannot help but love Mama; her humour, pathos and raw emotion as she finds solace in the revelation of her life, first to Blackie her recently deceased cat and then Moa, a chicken who takes up residence in her back garden. Auckland audiences will only stand up when they are truly moved. The play concluded with the near full house jumping to their feet in a standing ovation resonating with a full deep response to the the emotional depth of the beautiful piece of art that had unfolded before them.

The 2018 Auckland Fringe is the first annual iteration of the festival - an organic result of the momentum created from the success of the 2017 Fringe. The Auckland Fringe has existed in various guises since 2009, but it wasn't until the current Festival Director Lydia Zanetti took over during make-or-break times, and carried off an explosive Auckland Fringe in 2017 that we've seen it start to show its teeth.