A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including: Tautai, Tom Green, Nick Rado in the Funniest Joke in the World, and Hedluv + Passman In 2 Cornish Rappers and a Casiotone.

See more recent reviews at theatreview.org, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory.

A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including: Tautai, Tom Green, Nick Rado in the Funniest Joke in the World, and Hedluv + Passman In 2 Cornish Rappers and a Casiotone.

See more recent reviews at theatreview.org, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory.

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SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland - TOM GREEN: Love him, love him live
- reviewed by Cherie Moore

Green has many strings to his bow: actor, director, producer, composer, and reality TV star. But it's his film Freddy got Fingered that Green is perhaps best known for, especially with the crowd here tonight.

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Puppies, cnr Tory & Vivian Streets, Wellington - HEDLUV + PASSMAN IN 2 CORNISH RAPPERS AND A CASIOTONE: Funny, intense, weird
- reviewed by Lucy O'Connor

It becomes quickly clear that their clothing choices speak volumes deeper than the lowest bass tones in their vocal range. What need noting, even before the music, are Passman’s dance moves. They’re manic.

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Fringe Bar, Cnr Cuba & Vivian, Wellington - NICK RADO IN THE FUNNIEST JOKE IN THE WORLD: Good, clean, easy laughs
- reviewed by Stewart Lund

Nick Rado has been a major player in the New Zealand 'bar-stand-up' comedy scene for a number of years now, having won several awards for best MC from the NZ Comedy Guild, and being nominated for the prestigious Billy T Award back in 2011.

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Fringe Bar, Cnr Cuba & Vivian, Wellington - BARNIE DUNCAN IN CALYPSO NIGHTS: A master of unpredictability and subverting expectations
- reviewed by John Smythe

Being of a generation that thought Harry Belafonte was the King of Calypso, cried “Day-O!” from Wellington hilltops, sang ‘Island in the Sun’ and ‘The Jamaica Farewell’ around campfires and heeded his warning about that other ‘Matilda’ who didn’t waltz but took his money and ran to Venezuela, I thought I was Calypso literate. But that was before I encountered Juan Vesuvius.

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The Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland - BRENDON GREEN IN EVERYTHING IS ALRIGHT (*CITATION NEEDED): Citation happily offered
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

Firstly, I’d like to say that in its quietly pathetic Wiki-geek way this show gets my vote for best title. So there’s a point scored before I’ve even clapped eyes on this young Green yobbo and heard his jokes. Plays a bit of music too apparently, so let’s see…

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Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Wellington - JONNY POTTS IN LET US REAPPRAISE FAMOUS MEN: Open letter to a friend…
- reviewed by Charlotte Simmonds

Jonny Potts is one of my favourite comedians but also one of my favourite friends. Does this make me a partial viewer of the show? Yes, but if you cannot get honest feedback on your shows from your friends and can only get honest feedback from reviewers who neither know nor care about you, you would have to ask yourself, what kind of friends do you actually have? Ask yourself that now.

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Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, Auckland - THE BOY WITH TAPE ON HIS FACE … MORE TAPE: What could be better?
- reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe

Like kids anticipating The Cat In The Hat’s return on a rainy day, we wonder: what will The Boy and his extraordinary mind come up with this time, from the objects around him, the audience with him, the music and imaginings inside him? Using dress ups and junk scattered round the stage, The Boy is back, with silent mischief, tricks and skits (some old, some new), underpinned by the genius that Sam Wills is now recognised for around the world.

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - DOCTOR BROWN IN BEFRDFGTH: The wildest, most ridiculously surreal show you will see anywhere
- reviewed by Stephen Austin

In this cynical world, it’s a pretty rare occasion to be amongst an audience still willing to entertain their sense of play as they leave the theatre. Doctor Brown (Phillip Burgers) has us all roaring, cackling and honking out into the street, with broad grins across our faces and a more engaged sense of even the smallest gesture of those around us.

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Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Wellington - GORDON SOUTHERN THE KERFUFFLE: Reasonably clean, clever and thoroughly entertaining
- reviewed by Stewart Lund

Gordon Southern likes New Zealand and is happy to keep coming back, which is something we should be very happy about. He bounds onto the stage exuding confidence and smugness (something to which he happily admits during the show) and rattles out an hour of constant hilarity in his relatively new show, The Kerfuffle.

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - DR BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN BROWN AND HIS SINGING TIGER: Challenging expectations
- reviewed by Shirin Brown

Dr Brown Brown Brown Brown Brown and his Singing Tiger is a carefully crafted show designed to entertain adults and kids alike. While most kids’ shows go for easy farting laughs, the jokes here are carefully constructed with elements of surprise to keep the kids squealing and yelling on cue, and adults grinning all the way through.

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Cavern Club, 22 Allen St, Wellington - ELI MATTHEWSON IN PROPOSITION: GREAT!: The genuine humour of honesty
- reviewed by Stewart Lund

We are treated to amusing anecdotes, music, and a truly heartfelt and warming story that can only be summed up as love. As he said near the start, he is still not quite an adult at heart, and perhaps once he better finds his footing, he will improve.

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Circa Two, Wellington - THE IMPROVISORS IN COMIC HEROES: If you like lycra …
- reviewed by John Smythe

Long form improv is quite a challenge and its one of those things that, like most arts, looks effortless when done well, so it’s easily taken for granted. But there’s not much danger of that in The Improvisors’ opening foray into their new format, Comic Heroes.

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Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland - IDIOTS OF ANTS: MODEL CITIZENS (UK): A great rapport both with the audience and with each other
- reviewed by Chris Page

As far as sketch comedy goes, these guys really do it well and it’s great to see new material from them, with a couple of my favourites from their last visit thrown in for good measure (the ‘Hen’s party aftermath’ and ‘Guide to being a Dad’ sketches have us in stitches).

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Q Theatre, Rangatira, Auckland - STEPHEN K AMOS IS THE SPOKESMAN: Charms with a lovely resonant voice and a great physicality
- reviewed by Chris Page

It really is fantastic to watch a comedian build rapport with their audience so quickly and have them in the palm of their hand with such ease – even the unsuspecting members who provide much off-the-cuff material for him (warning: if you are a teenage boy considering attending his show with your Mother you may want to re-think this for fear of some awkward silences on the car ride home).
http://www.theatreview.org.nz/reviews/review.php?id=5838

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The Classic, Auckland - TOM RHODES: Owning his bravery, genius and brilliance
- reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe

Not so much the meandering narrative or “here’s a bit of a story for you” sort of guy, Rhodes’ style, at first, is cocky and confident, fast and incredibly diverse. Pacing round like a caged lion, the diversity of content is extraordinary, from badass blokey to subtle sensitivities; from unique world-view, to personal perspective.

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Downstage Theatre, Wellington - JARRED CHRISTMAS IN LET’S GO MOFO: An hour of many moods
- reviewed by Maryanne Cathro

Joy to the World (or at least to the Wellington bit of it), Jarred Christmas has come! The comedian who may single-handedly revive a fashion for huge sideburns and western shirts is playing Downstage.

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Kitty O'Sheas, 28 Courtenay Place, Wellington - SAM SMITH IN SAMANTICS: A little bit witty, a little bit self-depreciating, and a lot mischief
- reviewed by Shannon Friday

Samantics, Smith's first solo show, is about the “games and jokes” he likes to play on the people around him, and he reaches a near-religious – if somewhat tongue-in-cheek – fervor in wanting to see these games spread.

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BATS - Out Of Site - Cnr Cuba & Dixon, Wellington - TEECHERS: Engaging energy and dynamism
- reviewed by James McKinnon

The ease with which Whitehall Comprehensive becomes Whiti High School may not be a credit to New Zealand, though, given that Godber’s play criticises an educational system rigged to shore up the class system and ensure that working class kids stay that way. I also note that high-achieving, relatively privileged university students here often ask me for letters of reference to help them get the same dismal, low-end service industry jobs that Godber’s underprivileged characters resign themselves to as their punishment for not going to university.

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Circa Two, Wellington - THEATRESPORTS FOR KIDS!: Ideal tone, generous with it, hilarious results – all for $10
- reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku

It’s a relief to go to something for kids that isn’t all twee with the usual bells and whistles (read OTT colourful clothing, butterflies, glitter) and given the highly transferable quality of Theatresports, it does make me wonder why hold this in a theatre? Apart from the lighting it can happen anywhere and if that’s the case, I wonder what magic this crew could do for those in a different socio-economic demographic or setting.

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San Francisco Bathhouse, 171 Cuba St, Wellington - URZILA CARLSON: THE LONG FLIGHT TO FREEDOM: In-your-face wit
- reviewed by Hannah Smith

Urzila Carlson’s been making her way around the NZ comedy scene for the last few years. Now she’s got citizenship, and a baby on the way (like, any minute, she brings her phone on stage in case it happens during the set), and a happy life in Kiwi-land. The Long Road to Freedom relates Carlson’s journey from her birthplace in South Africa to her newfound homeland.

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Little Theatre, Library Bldg, Lower Hutt - TAUTAI: Packs a socio-political wallop simply by telling the truth
- reviewed by John Smythe

A Tautai is a master fisherman and one of his skills is ‘way-finding’. In the play the central character, New Zealand-born Tokelauan Mauilata (called Maui for short; recalling another famous Polynesian fisherman) – played by Iaheto Ah Hi, as in the original solo – has found his way forward by going back to a Tokelau he was sure would have nothing to offer a too-cool-for-school Kiwi boy like him. What plays out is the story of how that journey came to pass.

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Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch - MAN’S BEST FRIEND: A thoughtful and satisfying piece of storytelling
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

The enduring relationship between a dog and his master is the heart of Man’s Best Friend, a rather sweet rom-com that offers up a well-crafted but low-key story about one person’s search for loving human companionship.

The titular MBF is Dog – a deadpan Brendon Bennetts in a rather fetching Dalmatian onesie – who provides occasional narration, interacts with the audience, and tries to understand and aid in his master’s quest to find a significant other.

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Fortune Theatre, Dunedin - YOU CAN ALWAYS HAND THEM BACK: Hall-marks but not his best
- reviewed by Barbara Frame

"This is a tale about every one of us" is the first line. How true! During the interval, the bar is full of grandparent stories - older people proudly detailing their offspring's offspring, younger ones talking about their oldies.

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Opera House, Wellington - FIRST LAUGHS 2013: An auspicious start to the festival
- reviewed by Hannah Smith

First Laughs 2013 is the comedy version of speed dating. Fifteen comedians try to charm the pants off the audience through a combo of material, personal charisma and whatever else they can muster in a six-minute slot. It gives a good feel for the festival, and is a great opportunity to figure out who you’d like to see more of. Just like a real date, of course, chances of success are heightened by the consumption of alcohol – and on Sunday night the Opera House was stuffed full of those on the razz – so things look good for a pretty successful date night.

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Q, The Vault, Auckland - REVEREND JELLIE IN CUT TO THE CHASE: A laugh a minute
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Reverend Jellie’s Facebook page tells us that the group formed in 2007 and is an “evolving collection of experienced actors, improvisers, and comedians who have been performing in New Zealand and internationally for over a decade.” In this incarnation, the team is made up of four highly skilled improvisers: Michael Fletcher, Lorraine MacDonald, Chris Anderson and Matt Armstrong, and their show is presented in a fairly standard improvisational format.

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Q, The Vault, Auckland - MICHELE A’COURT IN STUFF I FORGOT TO TELL MY DAUGHTER: An absolute classic from the ultimate theatrical trickster
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Last year, Michele’s daughter Holly got a job and went flatting for the first time. She was almost 20.

With no kid in the house for the first time since 1993, and with a bit of time on her hands, A’Court began reflecting on those things that she forgot to tell her daughter as she was growing up. The result is her first solo show in seven years – and we get to hear it first.

Michele A’Court is a household name in New Zealand and has been for well over the twenty years of Holly’s young life.

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Brooklyn Bar - 57 Lorne St, Auckland - TERRY WILLIAMS IN THE GRIN REAPER: Attractive, charming, incredibly well prepared and very funny
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

The longest living people have nine secrets. So says Terry Williams, The Grin Reaper, and the aforementioned nine secrets provide the theme for his latest show.

He’s right, of course, about the nine secrets, but as with most good comedy shows this doesn’t stop Williams commenting liberally on anything and everything including the occasional words of support - and advice - he gets from the more vocal members of his audience and, in so doing, he definitely runs the gamut of human experience.

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Fortune Theatre, Dunedin - YOU CAN ALWAYS HAND THEM BACK: A bright musical revue
- reviewed by Terry MacTavish

Scorning the obvious choice of a grandparent as guest, I have invited an actor who, in the late 80s, spent six months as one of Roger Hall’s characters in his TV series, Neighbourhood Watch. His writing succeeds, she asserts, because he knows us. He observes us closely, and he thinks we’re funny: funny in a typically New Zealand way. He was the first playwright to make us laugh at ourselves.

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The Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland - CHRIS PARKER AND HAYLEY SPROULL IN OUTSIDERS’ GUIDE: It’s cooler outside
- reviewed by James Wenley

Everyone is an outsider somewhere. Hayley Sproull and Chris Parker know this well, and find fertile ground for comedy, and laughs of identification, in their Outsiders’ Guide: A whirlwind guide to life and reasons yours doesn’t work. The thespianic-comedians are the insiders on the outside, who promise, in beatnik poetry at the top of the show, to expose the “awkward situation / alienation”.

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Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland - ANDY CLAY’S BOOK OF LOVE: Hitting the spot
- reviewed by Candice Lewis

It’s more packed than jam in the city tonight and the Comedy Festival buzz feels like hundreds of happy healthy flies have come out to enjoy the party. Nicely dressed flies of course, and very clean.

Mum asks me if this is Andrew Dice Clay. Google images of that if you want a laugh, but no, it’s not. Dice Clay is an American comic who wears big chains around his neck. The New Zealand Clay wears a suit jacket and looks like he might be into spray tanning.

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Brooklyn Bar - 57 Lorne St, Auckland - LUKE HEGGIE IN MEGA DRY: Acute alcohol related travesties
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

The connecting through-line for the ensuing hour of relentless nasal derision is a list of all the types of sub-educated persons who frequented the bottle-store he once worked in, and the ways and means by which they would make his day, by way of confirming all his worst judgments of where humanity is at and/or headed, whilst unwittingly providing him with fertile material for this very production.

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The Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland - CHRIS PARKER AND HAYLEY SPROULL IN OUTSIDERS’ GUIDE: Rapid-Fire Pseudo-Edification
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

A-a-a-nyway, the show eventually suddenly explodes into being with a visually dynamic moving-coloured-lights-and-shadows spectacle, accompanied by intimidating inquisitive extra-terrestrial type noises, that in turn drops into up-front Outsiders’ Guide guides Chris Parker and Hayley Sproull busting out a head-spinning rapid-fire cerebral rhyme-busting vocal intro by two straightforwardly complicated specimens of today’s overstimulated youth.

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The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland - BATTLE OF THE BASTARDS: Full-on physicality illuminates the fascinating world of words
- reviewed by Stephen Austin

Ladderman’s style is affable and warm, and he welcomes us with some of his characteristic fast-paced patter and juggling moves before launching us headlong into an hour-long Cliff Notes version of the world of the masculine heart of The Bard’s most tragically political writings.

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Downstage Theatre, Wellington - SEASONS: Fresh and inspiring delights
- reviewed by John Smythe

It’s the concept of a year – because they only get together once a year, for the summer holidays – that generates their evocation of the four seasons, through a combination of song, dance, puppetry and play.

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Civic Theatre, Auckland - COMEDY GALA 2013: Let the party begin
- reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe

The 2013 NZ Comedy Festival team have produced another slick, well-oiled, world-class Comedy Gala to be proud of.

MC Jeremy Corbett tells us we’ve come of age, as we settle into the NZ International Comedy Festival’s 21st Gala-birthday bash at the beautiful Civic Theatre.

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TheatreWorks Theatre, Recreation Dr, Birkenhead, Auckland - FROST/NIXON: Fantastic fiction
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Frost/Nixon is English playwright Peter Morgan’s account of the genesis, planning and making of the Frost interviews with Nixon. I have carefully chosen the word ‘account’ because the veracity of the events portrayed is still up for debate and so it will always be because if anyone polarized opinion it was Richard M Nixon.

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Gryphon, Wellington - ZANNA, DON’T!: A gay paradise where women are caricatures of straight girls?!?
- reviewed by Charlotte Simmonds

The show initially represents an alternate world which is a safe place for gay people and a dangerous place for straight people. Being a musical theatre piece of comedy, with light pop music, a large part of the satire on heterosexual ideas of normality is devoted to the overuse of traditional stereotypes.

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See more recent reviews at theatreview.org.nz, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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