The latest Theatreview Weekly includes reviews of Ruia Te Kakano: Hokia Ki Nga Maunga - Return To The Mountains, and The Good News.

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

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The latest Theatreview Weekly includes reviews of Ruia Te Kakano: Hokia Ki Nga Maunga - Return To The Mountains, and The Good News.

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

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DR SEUSS’S THE CAT IN THE HAT: Something lost in translation from page to stage
Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

All good fun then and a classy production in many ways, though for me the text invites more participation in its patterned sound. At one stage, the audience is encouraged to complete the 'Red Fish, Blue Fish' line and the auditorium comes alive in a way that watching clever physical action has not achieved.

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RUIA TE KAKANO: HOKIA KI NGA MAUNGA – RETURN TO THE MOUNTAINS: Clear, captivating and witty weave of traditional and contemporary
Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, Auckland LIVE, Auckland
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

It’s a bit of a cliche to say that a show has everything but Hokia Ki NgaMaunga (Return to the Mountain) is about as close as you’ll get to that ideal. This charming tale is pitch-perfect for the four to ten year old age range it’s been created for ...

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THE SWORD IN THE STONE: A magic-free zone
Gryphon, Wellington
- reviewed by John Smythe

having mastered and ‘taken ownership’ of the text, which therefore sounds convoluted and overwritten.

The story eventually finds its humdrum way to the key proposition: that the ‘KKT Kingdom’, which we inhabit, is in dire need of a new King who shall, according to prophesy, reveal himself when he pulls the titular sword from the stone ...

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THE GOOD NEWS: Chaotic and coherent
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
- reviewed by Richard Mays

"It's a heavy book...a grim read." That's how a couple of unidentified respondents describe the Holy Bible in this performance free-for-all through the pages of both Testaments.

A work devised around word-for-word recollections by 21 people who were interviewed about the Bible and religion, The Good News is far from being heavy, or grim.

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THE BOOKBINDER: Intimate, heart-warming, spooky, transfixing
Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Univeristy of Waikato, Hamilton
- reviewed by Brenda Rae Kidd

With his heart-warming and often atmospherically spooky story, McCubbin holds the audience close as he moves effortlessly between characters while interspersing shadow play and puppetry. The younger members of the audience sit quiet as mice during the 60 minute performance. They are transfixed.

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GRANDMA MCGARVEY WITH GRANDPA’S SLIPPERS: Polished yet with a warmth, ease and playfulness
The Pumphouse, Takapuna, Auckland
- reviewed by Sarah Gallagher

Tim Bray has skilfully woven the stories together to produce a wonderful celebration of Grandparents which will delight and engage audiences of all ages.

I initially thought six stories would be a lot for a young audience to take in but the 60 minute show flows effortlessly from tale to tale and my 5 and 7 year old boys are thoroughly entertained the entire time.

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THE ELVES AND THE SHOEMAKER: Interactive fun with good values
4 Moncrieff St., Mt. Victoria, Wellington
- reviewed by John Smythe

Elves looking for work in the wake of The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies is an excellent starting point for Rachel Henry’s adaptation of the Brothers Grimm* tale. Pilly and Filly – whose real Elvish names are much, much longer – left their North Pole jobs with Santa Claus to work for Peter Jackson and they like New Zealand so much they want to stay.

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DEXTER’S DEEP SEA DISCOVERY: Fun and jokes for all ages
TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
- reviewed by Loki Smythe

The main character, Dexter – played by Amanda Tito – has a very stereotypical eight-year-old attitude, thinking shark attacks are awesome and glasses look stupid.

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YOU DANCE 2015: Entertaining, energetic and able
Maidment, Auckland
- reviewed by Briar Wilson

When young dancers choreograph their own work, it means that they have reached a good level of sophistication and technical ability – also that they can work together – although presumably needing some oversight. Again I would welcome knowing who had that responsibility – as they should also be acknowledged and congratulated. Thus I commend Jessie McCall’s work overseeing Pointy Dog Youth Dance Company a group stemming from classes at TAPAC. 13 dancers are spread over three pieces, each being choreographed by its dancers, that being a feat in itself. They use a good range of movement, sometimes individual, other times in unison, and in Pendulum convey connection and disconnection with aplomb.

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ORANGUTAN: Not yet a Great Ape
The Basement Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
- reviewed by Matt Baker

In such an intimate space, it's disappointing that, while not necessarily carved with the intention to perform in this specific space, we lose Canton's eyes behind the mask.

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THE MOURNING AFTER: Needed Mour
The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
- reviewed by Matt Baker

Ahilan Karunaharan's pioneering script is developed from a solo show post drama school training, developed into an ensemble piece upon "being in the presence of other South Asian actors". The play is a surreal drama, but, at its heart, there is no conflict.

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THE CAPE: Realistic and compelling
Mary Hopewell Theatre, Dunedin
- reviewed by Alison Embleton

The rehashing of past events, and the development of new bonds between the characters allows for the audience to get a good sense of their history while also being able to see how they’re growing and changing together on this trip.

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YOU DANCE 2015: Large ensemble works particularly impressive
Maidment, Auckland
- reviewed by Raewyn Whyte

Also a charmer is the final dance of the evening, Autele, choreographed by teacher Samantha French for 10 male and 7 female dancers from Mt Albert Grammar School. A vibrant and dynamically driven dance based in Samoan traditions, this requires precision in rhythm and spatial patterns arising from the constant re-positioning of groups on the stage. There's no doubting the passion and commitment of the performers to be the best they can be, and they perform with passion, pride and verve to Maori Beat by Highlight Tribe.

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

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