The atmosphere in Circa Theatre’s foyer this evening is an enchanting combination of intrigue and magic, as young and old alike crowd around one another preparing to embark to Neverland. Peter Pan is a story we know well, one of finding a place you belong and of teaching us about family. This year, the comic stylings of Pinky Agnew and Lorae Parry take helm as the writers of the pantomime, and I’m anticipating an evening full of political satire, hearty comedy, and strong female characters. At the heart of Peter Pan is theatrical and storytelling magic, which differentiates it from being ‘just another pantomime’. Lively, vibrant, hilarious, Peter Pan guarantees a night full of laughter for the family.
Courtney Rose BrownLadylike: A Modern Guide to Etiquette, is back at BATS Theatre for a return season after a successful stint in the comedy festival. Created by comedian Louise Beuvink and directed by Lucy Noonan.
Dressed in a pink and blue floral gown, I find myself making assumptions about where the show will go. Frustrated at myself, I feel on the defensive, as I’m not prepared for another show that makes fun of fem women, as I’m overwhelmingly aware that I’m wearing a more chill version of her costume. Aimee SmithWhen I know I'm going to see a show by The Wellington Footlights Society, I’m already expecting something fearless. Over the past few years the company has tackled some big and beautiful shows - and they’ve scored many a touchdown. So the concept of a four show festival of musical theatre didn’t surprise me entirely. It seemed like such a massive task, it almost felt inevitable.
I had the honour of attending Night A of the ‘Heart and Music’ festival. The night boasted two shows - the pop-rock revue The Rising Sun and New York chamber musical A New Brain. The two shows are a bit chalk and cheese. They’re utterly incomparable,but the flip-side is that they offer two very different flavours, for those of us who decide to embrace the nights full offerings. Bethany MillerWhat a way to finish the evening! The hit musical comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is the second show of Wellington Footlights’ Heart + Music festival, Night B (intentional?). It is outrageously delightful and explosively funny, which perfectly suits the enthusiastic company and their performances.
The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee centres on several eccentric and distinct prepubescents, participating in a spelling bee that is fun but fiercely competitive, and the imperfect adults or parents who facilitate (or not) the contest and their success. This production could not be more brilliantly cast. Every character is a hit, Bethany MillerThe Wellington Footlights’ first ever musical theatre festival “Heart and Music” has just kicked off. Night B opens with Flatline with Two Sugars, a premiere of an original musical written by company members Laura Gardner (book and lyrics) and Katie Morton (music).
Flatline with Two Sugars is dark magical realism, a bittersweet mix of tragedy, comedy, and bleak reality. A dreary cafe barista has an unwanted gift in which she visualises the time and means of someone’s death just by touching them. This musical sees Lucie’s desperately confined life turn upside down, and we get to experience the drama, excitement, heartache, and even black comedy pleasures that go along with it. |
Local Honest ReviewsAt Art Murmurs, our aim is to provide honest and constructive art reviews to the Wellington community. Archives
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