Mana Wahine concludes 2016’s Kia Mau Festival, performing a sold out season at Circa Theatre. Presented by Okareka Dance Company, the production is directed and choreographed by the talents of Taane Mete, Malia Johnston and Taiaroa Royal. Drawing inspiration from Te Aokapurangi’s story of courage, the productions chronology is threaded through the stories of the performers and inspiration from the choreographers.
Courtney Rose BrownSolOTHELLO is part of the 2016 Kia Mau Festival that is taking Wellington by storm this Matariki. Presented by Te Rēhia Theatre Company alongside the British Council, SolOTHELLO is a one man show performed by Regan Taylor and directed by Craig Geenty. As the name suggests, the show is William Shakespeare’s Othello, performed as a solo. However, Geenty and Taylor transform what could have easily been an ego trip, (tackling one of Shakespeare’s most ambitious plays solo) into something that is beautiful in the simplicity of deft storytelling. With the use of Te Mata Kokako o Rehia (traditional Maori mask) Taylor reclaims the story of Othello into the lands of Aotearoa, in telling the audience that William Shakespeare is a thief. SolOTHELLO is one man’s retelling of the jealousies and manipulation from Othello in a new and innovative way which brings an exhilarating life force to the text.
Swati BhattThe Vultures Written and directed by Mīria George Presented by Tawata Productions as part of Kia Mau Festival 2016 The Vultures presented by Tawata Productions is the second show of the Kia Mau Festival that opened last night. The development season of the play was presented as part of the Pūtahi Festival 2015 at Studio 77, written and directed by playwright Mīria George. The premiere season of the show, now at Bats Theatre, revolves around the human desire of wealth, the connection of the whānau (family/community) to the whenua (land) and the status quo within a wealthy Māori family. Dell MitchellCombining 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.
Julz BurgisserI 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.
Aimee Smith
Courtney Rose BrownTaking Off the Bird Suit, is an improvised show (that rests very comfortably as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival) featuring the talents of an all female improv troupe! Staring Alayne Dick, Clare Kerrison, Dianne Pulham, Gabby Anderson, Harriet Hughes, Josephine Byrnes, Kate Wilson, Maria McWilliams and Susan Williams. Jennifer O’Sullivan, welcomes the audience in as the MC (and also director of the troupe) to a very energetic and nearly full house. O’Sullivan placed an energy on top of this, creating a supportive and enthusiastic environment as she mentioned the range in experience of the improvisers. Courtney Rose Brown Nelson’s Refinery warmly welcomes one of the last shows from Pat-A-Cake Productions tour of Where the Wild Woman Is, with a fully packed out theatre, as extra chairs are hastily added to already long rows. Where the Wild Woman Is, is a One woman show that is devised and performed by Ingrid Saker. Winner of ‘Best Actress’ and ‘Edgiest Show’ in Nelson Fringe 2016. We enter into a pre-show of Saker interacting with the crowd, adopting a monkey like physicality, with clowning behaviour. At times, pre-shows can be jarring, creating confusion about whether or not the show has already started, or if as an audience member, you really have to pay attention to what is happening or not. Saker’s interactions however, create a relaxed atmosphere, where before the show has already begun she has introduced the idea of audience interaction, where everyone is game to participate. As the house lights dim, she has the audience leaning forward on their seats, fully engaged, as she is enchanting to watch. Dell Mitchell & Laura FergusonHosted at BATS on a stage littered with baby toys, the scene is set as Joseph Moore walks out on stage with a dirty diaper. We quickly realise that this is a theatre/comedy mash-up rather than a straight stand up act. Eleanor Merton
Julz BurgisserWhen we think of the idiom The Wild Blue Yonder I think of heading off somewhere and never coming back, the internet describes it as when you go somewhere far away that seems exciting because it is not known. Heading into Brendhan Lovegrove’s show it explains pretty well how I felt. I’d heard a lot about his comedy and was excited to see the unknown for myself. He didn’t disappoint, he went some crazy places with his comedy but what a good time!
Julz BurgisserThat’s Shentotainment is exactly what the name promises, comedian Dan Shenton being entertaining. This is a show of big belly laughs, a guitar and a stream of conscious so unusual that makes you wonder what it’s like living inside Shenton's head.
Julz BurgisserCareer decisions to love life lessons, Louise Beuvink is having a Quarter-Life Crisis and she’s invited us along for the ride. Her dark humour and astute observation leads to some brilliantly funny confession stories and other sweet moments of introspection.
Julz BurgisserNik Bruce-Smith never had an answer to the question: “What's your five year plan?” Plans also have a way of not working out for him like he thinks. One glorious day he found the answer and it turned out to be a question…. Marry Me, Taylor Swift?
Julz BurgisserThe scene is set for the wedding of the century, or of the year, maybe the day. Scratch all that the scene is set for the marriage of the #1 in NZ, Reality TV Show personality, Chris Warner of Shortland Street. Marry Me Chris Warner will be the show that everyone is talking about because none of the invited magazines seemed very keen to cover it for some reason. Or so James Malcolm tells us as he sweeps onto the stage completing the picture of the perfect wedding. There’s only one problem really. The groom seems to be absent right now.
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Local Honest ReviewsAt Art Murmurs, our aim is to provide honest and constructive art reviews to the Wellington community. Archives
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