Brie Keatley
This is my second time reviewing a show by Horse With No Name and I can honestly say they are consistently absolutely smashing it. From the costumes to the performances, everything in Kiwi’s Big Hararei (written by Ryan Cundy and Catriona Tipene, also directed by Tipene) is polished and full of energy.
Kiwi (Gabby Clark) is a fuzzy bundle of energy as he embarks on his first holiday overseas with his Mum (Salomé Neely) to stay with Aunty Echidna (Ryan Cundy). Along the way, Kiwi makes a best mate out of Kangaroo (Tadhg Mackay), who draws rollercoasters for a living.
Clark is positively bursting at the seams with energy as he darts between Kiwi’s emotional highs and lows, while Neely provides a grounding energy as the thoughtful and caring Mum. Cundy pretty much steals the show as the awfully camp, Dame Edna-esque Aunty Echidna. However, Mackay gives Cundy a run for his money with his equally-as-scene-stealing Kangaroo, who bounces between comedy and genuine lovesickness with ease. I am so happy that Horse With No Name have found collaborators that they work well with and I hope they continue to work with them for a long time.
The set (by Brendan West and James Searle, painted by Loretta Knights) of painted flats at first appeared quite plain. But it soon exceeded every expectation I had as it folded many times over throughout the play like a story book. How I have never seen this used in children’s theatre is absolutely beyond me. The show was partially narrated by Kiwi, stepping out of the action to explain like a storyteller, and the set worked in tandem to reinforce this.
We were also once again treated to the eye candy costumes of Victoria Gridley. I was particularly taken and given the giggles by the shark costume, whose fins flopped exactly like I’d imagine a real life shark’s to. No one, and I really mean no one, makes animal costumes like Gridley by Victoria. The music in Kiwi’s Big Hararei was also absolutely delightful, with three songs written by Benny Tipene and impressively lead by Clark, whose voice is absolutely gorgeous, and the understated composition done by Ben Kelly. The songs or compositions never overwhelmed the performances, they are simply the cherry on top.
Circa Two was full of rangatahi and adults alike giggling and cheering along at Kiwi’s journey. There is something so magical about a well-made children’s show that can be enjoyed by all ages. Horse With No Name, I remain a fan of yours and I will heartily recommend Kiwi’s Big Hararei to not only my friends with kids, but to all of them.
Kiwi’s Big Hararei is on at Circa twice at day 10:00am and 11:30, Tuesday the 23rd of September to Saturday the 4th of October. You can get tickets here.
Disclaimer: Tadhg Mackay is a reviewer with Art Murmurs and I have worked with a few members of this team in the past. I have attempted to remain objective with my review but please feel free to leave a comment or email [email protected] if you feel otherwise.
Clark is positively bursting at the seams with energy as he darts between Kiwi’s emotional highs and lows, while Neely provides a grounding energy as the thoughtful and caring Mum. Cundy pretty much steals the show as the awfully camp, Dame Edna-esque Aunty Echidna. However, Mackay gives Cundy a run for his money with his equally-as-scene-stealing Kangaroo, who bounces between comedy and genuine lovesickness with ease. I am so happy that Horse With No Name have found collaborators that they work well with and I hope they continue to work with them for a long time.
The set (by Brendan West and James Searle, painted by Loretta Knights) of painted flats at first appeared quite plain. But it soon exceeded every expectation I had as it folded many times over throughout the play like a story book. How I have never seen this used in children’s theatre is absolutely beyond me. The show was partially narrated by Kiwi, stepping out of the action to explain like a storyteller, and the set worked in tandem to reinforce this.
We were also once again treated to the eye candy costumes of Victoria Gridley. I was particularly taken and given the giggles by the shark costume, whose fins flopped exactly like I’d imagine a real life shark’s to. No one, and I really mean no one, makes animal costumes like Gridley by Victoria. The music in Kiwi’s Big Hararei was also absolutely delightful, with three songs written by Benny Tipene and impressively lead by Clark, whose voice is absolutely gorgeous, and the understated composition done by Ben Kelly. The songs or compositions never overwhelmed the performances, they are simply the cherry on top.
Circa Two was full of rangatahi and adults alike giggling and cheering along at Kiwi’s journey. There is something so magical about a well-made children’s show that can be enjoyed by all ages. Horse With No Name, I remain a fan of yours and I will heartily recommend Kiwi’s Big Hararei to not only my friends with kids, but to all of them.
Kiwi’s Big Hararei is on at Circa twice at day 10:00am and 11:30, Tuesday the 23rd of September to Saturday the 4th of October. You can get tickets here.
Disclaimer: Tadhg Mackay is a reviewer with Art Murmurs and I have worked with a few members of this team in the past. I have attempted to remain objective with my review but please feel free to leave a comment or email [email protected] if you feel otherwise.