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

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IF THERE’S NOT DANCING AT THE REVOLUTION, I’M NOT COMING…: A politically powerful performance infused with positivity and joy
BATS Theatre (Out Of Site) Understudy Bar and various outdoor locations, Wellington
Created and performed by Julia Croft 
Directed by Virginia Frankovich
- reviewed by John Smythe

She greets us on a pedestal, in an orange tulle frock adorned with gold sequins, a showgirl/show pony feather in her hair. Structurally, the next 55 minutes will see her strip from bulky and lumpy to nothing but skin. And at each stage we are treated to vivid reminders of how constantly and consistently women are objectified and sexualised.

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FABRICATE: Playful, unsettling and all too soon over
Basement Theatre Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Choreographers in collaboration: Caitlin Davey, Lydia Connolly-Hiatt, Cushla Roughan, Rodney Tyrell, and Reece Adams.
Producer: Chloe Baynes
- reviewed by Jess Probert

Dynamics in Fabricate often change abruptly, both within phrases of movement as well as between sections of the piece, keeping the audience on their toes. Giving the audience the chance to participate in creating the dancer’s space by holding twine while one dancer slowly confines himself within the web gives an interactive, tangible element to this piece.

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WHITE/OTHER: Immense promise
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Created and Performed by Alice Canton 
Directed by Holly Chappell and Thomas Eason
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

Canton’s work is on a journey and it is successful because it raises questions: important and worthy questions that should be fodder for many foyer discussions. But in this iteration it fails to acknowledge that perceived or real difference is tricky to navigate. It’s far too simple to make the binary of ‘white’ and ‘other’ in a world that confounds us with histories where ...

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TITLED: Self-defeating or worth your risk?
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
by Nisha Madhan 
presented by The Town Centre
- reviewed by John Smythe

Harmonic convergence is a beautiful thing. In the context of the Performer-Audience contract it denotes a willingness to trust, participate, contribute and create. As a response to ‘Administrators who run the world’ it could be seen as mindless conformity.

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MATTHEW, MARK, LUKE & JOANNE: A nice balance of ideas and humour
The Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
By Carl Nixon 
Directed by Steven Ray
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

assertion and rejection provides the fuel for the play and of course its irrepressible humour.

That there is no real change in the wilful certainty of the characters is no doubt part of the overall message, but dramatically it does limit a sense of development. If each character is indeed a disciple of one sort or another, as is referenced by the title, they make light of any challenges which arise in the course of things.

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SONS OF A BITCH & MEL PARSONS: Hysterically funny and feel-good
Luggate Memorial Hall, Wanaka
Proudly presented by Farmstrong in association with ANZCO
- reviewed by Sue Wards

Two country dogs, Russ and Jack, find themselves at the vet's after a ride on the back of the ute. Dunbar and Newborn share an uncanny ability to emulate a dog's expression and physicality: blissed out with the air blowing their ears (hair?) back (cue the wind machine) is just one example.

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TWO INTIMATE OPERAS: OPERA OTAGO AT OLVESTON: Operatic rom-coms hit all the right notes
The Drawing Room @ Olveston Historic Home, Dunedin
DEAREST MAURICE 
Composed and directed by John Drummond 
THE TELEPHONE 
By Menotti 
Directed by Claire Barton
- reviewed by Kathryn van Beek

The evening is pleasantly short and deliciously sweet. You find yourself wishing that a fraction more thought had gone into the costumes and props so that they better complemented the timelessness of the surrounds. And then you chide yourself for being churlish. After all, it’s been a fabulous evening being entertained by opera’s young stars in a house fit for the most demanding of prima donnas.

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SONS OF A BITCH & MEL PARSONS: World-class, quintessentially Kiwi, full of heart and humour
Glendhu Station, Wanaka
Proudly presented by Farmstrong in association with ANZCO
- reviewed by Pip Harker

Currently doing a woolshed tour of the south island, this great pairing of the second show from The Bitches Box team – Amelia Dunbar and Emma Newborn with Sons of a Bitch – and New Zealand singer-songwriter Mel Parson is sure to appeal to anyone with a funny-bone and an appreciation for great song writing.

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SOMEONE SAY I DO: No ordinary wedding
The Lodge Hall at Ferrymead Heritage Park, Christchurch
Andrew Shepherd and Fleur de Thier with choreographic contributions from Sarah Franks, Sean James, Tracy Scott and Karen Lewis.
Film by Sean James
- reviewed by Ian Lochhead

Rebound Dance Company's latest production, Someone Say "I Do" .... provides its humorous take on the great Kiwi wedding.

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BEARDS! BEARDS! BEARDS!: Full and delicious with a heart and a message
BATS Theatre, The Propeller Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written by Ralph McCubbin Howell 
Directed by Hannah Smith 
Presented by Trick of The Light
- reviewed by Patrick Davies

Beards! Beards! Beards! – a joint production between the stunning Trick of the Light Theatre and Showpony Productions – wonderfully straddles the line between a Gilbert & Sullivan sensibility and the Flight of the Conchords kind of kinkier, anarchic humour.

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WINE LIPS: Feels like eavesdropping
Allen Hall Theatre, University of Otago, Dunedin
Written by Sam Brooks 
Directed by Jordan Dickson 
Presented by Counterpoint Productions
- reviewed by Jenny Gleeson

The theme of the play is familiar to many and resonates well with the audience, as these quarter-lifers hit the reality of making difficult life choices – vis-à-vis careers and love – with a loud thwack. We watch how they choose to deal with and/or recover from the impact of their choices, each in a separate manner.

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SEVEN DEADLY MONOLOGUES: Memorable moments in monologues of varying quality and strength
Te Pou Theatre, 44a Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
Written by Benjamin Teh 
Directed by Borni Tukiwaho 
Produced by Joselyn Khor 
Presented by A+ Productions
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

“Seven Deadly Monologues. Unearthing the haunting side of sin in humanity.” 

It’s a bold and ambitious statement; a provocation by playwright Benjamin Teh that dares his audience to enter into a lascivious exploration of all that is deeply sinful. Through seven monologues the immemorial pillars of sin (Lust, Envy, Pride, Wrath, Sloth, Gluttony and Greed) address the audience, each offering a modern glimpse into these hallmark traits.

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

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