Art Murmurs - Reviews

Hamlet

27/5/2016

Aimee Smith

If there was an award for best company name, The Lord Lackbeards would have my vote. The note The Lord Lackbeards gives us - a cheeky wink, a nod to itself as a statement of feminist empowerment - definitely bleeds into the work, both by virtue of being an entirely female cast and in the playful nature brought to the performance. Directed by Ania Upstill, their production of Hamlet manages to carefully balance the scope of the tragedy with touches of light comedy creating a sense of community amongst the audience, as we laughed at the characters, the actors, and each other. We maybe shed a few tears, too.

Ophelia Thinks Harder

27/5/2016

Zoe Joblin

Ophelia Thinks Harder was written 20 years ago by New Zealand writer Jean Betts. It is a modern, feminist response to Shakespeare’s classic tragedy Hamlet. Lord Lackbeard’s Touring Company present both shows; modern and classic, masculine and feminine in a double bill season that has toured the North Island and has its final stop here in Wellington. Performed at Boat Café on Oriental Parade, the atmosphere is casual and welcoming. Julia Campbell directs a cohesive production of Ophelia Thinks Harder and through the story depicts the extreme edge of the female experience in Hamlet’s world.

The Breathing Rooms

27/5/2016

Aimee Smith

It’s nice to look at bodies. Sometimes it’s a grotesque experience. Sometimes it’s beautiful. Sometimes they experience moments that are lovely. Either way, they are unavoidable. These are some thoughts that I mused upon when I visited The Breathing Rooms, an exhibition by Briana Jamieson and Jake Fairweather. They are maybe not the most revolutionary of thoughts, maybe they don’t sound very interesting or exciting, but they are nice things to ruminate on, in a warm space, enfolded into a crowd of people with a bit of red wine in your belly.

On Heterotopian Boundaries

26/5/2016

Aimee Smith

'Green ball' - Gil Eva Craig

Nestled amongst the bustle of Courtenay Place, Photospace Gallery provides a place of invigoration, sitting atop the various bars, cinemas, and restaurants dotting our most happening street. It’s a shockingly fitting location for Gil Eva Craig's first solo photography show, On Heterotopian Boundaries.

Love and Information

24/5/2016

Courtney Rose Brown

Love and Information written by Caryl Churchill and presented by Lightshade Creative Productions is a whirlwind of over 100 characterisations and interactions which directed by Tabitha Arthur is skilfully crafted into snapshots of life that I find constantly pull at my heartstrings.

The performers are electric and charming as they easily gain our emotional investment. I never question the dynamics between the performers as they instantly establish their relationships. Nor do I never feel pulled away too soon or disappointed for them leave - although thoroughly engaged with each one, soon we are brought into another world.

Far Away

24/5/2016

Courtney Rose Brown

Far Away is self-described as a dystopian fairy-tale written by Caryl Churchill and directed by Tabitha Arthur. Presented by Lightshade Creative Productions Far Away takes the audience on a journey that is one more of curiosity than fear which is a theme of intention as told by Wikipedia, as we try to unravel the series of events we are faced with.

The Elephant Thief

21/5/2016

Courtney Rose Brown

Leela Devi has dreams of travelling the world and with the inheritance of a map from her mother, she’s prepared to spread her wings. The Elephant Thief, presented by Indian Ink, is part way through their tour of New Zealand and is currently being performed at the Hannah Playhouse. The show explores the many hurdles that Leela faces as she struggles to keep her footing on her path to follow her dreams.Written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis (who also directed), The Elephant Thief is a magical, musical and comedic example of bewitching story telling.

Much Ado About Nothing

20/5/2016

Matt Loveranes

Presented by Students of THEA302 and THEA308
Directed by Stella Reid

When I heard that the 300 level students of Victoria University of Wellington were taking on the oft-performed Much Ado About Nothing, I admit I raised an eyebrow. It’s a daunting challenge, making this fan favourite seem fresh and worthwhile for their audience, most of whom have to brave harsh winds and rain to get to Studio 77 up in Kelburn. Thankfully, the bright-eyed and fresh faced company of THEA 302 mostly live up to that challenge.

Class Comedians Showcase

17/5/2016

Courtney Rose Brown

This year’s Class Comedians Showcase has fresh meat and the line up is promising. Class Comedians Showcase is in its fifteenth year of providing a platform for young budding comics to workshop and perform their own comedy routines. Hosted by Jesse Griffin, who brings forth an interesting energy as he runs on stage and settles into dad-like humour, choosing to focus on a fellow ginger in front of him who gets the brunt of his jokes. This is until a few audience members arrive late, where his quick wit catches the audience in giggles when he asks if they need anything, you know, perhaps a watch? Griffin creates and holds a calm, non-pressured environment when he sets off applause for the afternoon’s lineup.

These Two Women Open Their Mouths, What Happens Next Will Shock You

14/5/2016

by Laura Ferguson

Savanna Calton and Lucy Roche’s show is set in two halves, a naughty one and a naughtier one. The title of the show, These Two Women Open Their Mouths, What Happens Next Will Shock You, is certainly accurate in any case, and for that, I loved every second of it.

Not Your Mum's Tupperware Party

14/5/2016

by Laura Ferguson

While this show might not be your mum’s Tupperware party, it certainly does seem like a party in general. Sokhom and Roy begin the show dancing manically to a banging tune that easily hyped up the audience, getting us into the spirit of things right from the start. Roy’s flailing had me in stitches instantly and watching Sokhom give an audience member an impromptu booty grind was entertaining to say the least.

Legally Blonde

13/5/2016

Aimee Smith

I have this belief that watching a good musical imparts upon you the powerful knowledge that you, too, were born to sing, act and dance. This quality of musical theatre is almost a spiritual experience, infecting you with what may very well be a totally illogical belief in your own abilities, and imparting a desire to leave your seat and get onstage so strong it requires a degree of physical constraint. Potentially this religious fervour quality is why musical theatre tends to have such zealous fans.

The Good, the Bad, and the Unemployed

13/5/2016

Dell Mitchell

Combining Jack Ansett, Dylan Watts and Justin White in one show should have been a discordant adventure - but thanks to some clever MCing by Snap it became relatively harmonious.

Savage

13/5/2016

Julz Burgisser

I went to a comedy show tonight that not only made me laugh big snorting laughs, but also made me question my life, made me cry as I remembered my mother, and reignited my desire to do something more than just what I do everyday until I retire or die. Though I was a complete stranger, I hugged that comic hard. That comic was Alice Fraser and her show is Savage.

Wilson Dixon - For the First Time. Again.

13/5/2016

Aimee Smith

Last night I snorted whilst laughing. That’s a first, for me. It had something to do with a horse named Andrew. If that sounds at least a little bit bizarre and like it shouldn’t encourage snort-levels of laughter, then good: we are off to a good start to describing Wilson Dixon’s For the First Time. Again.