The festive frivolities continue in the latest Theatreview Weekly including: A Very Merry Scriptless - The Gary Starlight Christmas Special, The Santa Claus Show 2013 and Knock Knock.

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

The festive frivolities continue in the latest Theatreview Weekly including: A Very Merry Scriptless - The Gary Starlight Christmas Special, The Santa Claus Show 2013 and Knock Knock.

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

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Vacant Space, corner of Manchester and Cashel Street, Christchurch - THE POWERFUL EVENT: Bizarre corporate rituals
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

How wonderful it is to be watching theatre again in the Christchurch CBD, especially something non-traditional. The Powerful Event is a piece of immersive site-specific theatre, which takes place on an empty central city lot ringed by ruined buildings.

Firstly, we are introduced to mysterious super-corporation Nouveau Monde Global by its CEO (via iPhone, naturally), and welcomed by two hilariously enthusiastic key members of staff ...

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The Pumphouse, Takapuna, Auckland - THE SANTA CLAUS SHOW 2013: The perfect antidote to commercial tripe
- reviewed by Adey Ramsel

The beauty of the show is that no one can be immune to it. The story is simple: Kelly is greedy and writes a wish list to Santa longer than Len Brown's expense claim. Consequently she gets transported to the North Pole to be taught the spirit of giving. Written by Tim Bray 21 years ago, the script thankfully avoids soppy sentimentality and cliché but delivers high on theatrical effect, magic and wonder.

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - KNOCK KNOCK: Whose [sic] there?
- reviewed by Sharu Delilkan

Although I appreciate the eight multi-coloured doors on stage were an ode to the antique advent calendar I couldn’t help thinking that they reminded me of the mystery version of Celebrity Squares. All in all The Dust Palace had cleverly set the tone from the get-go, which gave them the upper hand once ‘the proceedings’ commenced.

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Aro Valley Community Centre, Wellington - BEDTIME MONSTERS: Total immersion in human experience
- reviewed by John Smythe

As we find our seats, a young be-suited man sits in the centre of the circle as if awaiting interrogation. The sad-eyed Goblins with dark shadows under their lifeless eyes – Katie Boyle, Michael Hebenton, Ania Upstill – are adrift in the space around him, within and beyond the ring of chairs. Also on the move, with differing dynamics, are a brisk young woman trying to find her way using a cellphone app, a contemplative man taking a stroll and a deeply sad young woman who is given to gazing in desolation at the seated man. Even before the play proper starts, The Lord Lackbeards have set up lots for us to enquire into and discover.

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The Moorings, 31 Glenbervie Tce, Wellington - ROMEO AND JULIET: Amiable, lucid and effortless
- reviewed by John Smythe

With fluent ease the seven actors cover twenty characters as they play out the tragic tale of two houses divided by parental strife. And perhaps they are too laid back at times, where the dramatic changes could be more dynamically rung – specifically the moments of death.

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The Atrium of the Christchurch Netball Centre. Entrance off Hagley Avenue., Christchurch - A VERY MERRY SCRIPTLESS: THE GARY STARLIGHT CHRISTMAS SPECIAL: Over-the-top musical stylings
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

By the time I arrive for the show, 50 of the audience have already had a three course meal and a good amount to drink so the mood is certainly merry. We are here to watch Gary’s Christmas special – a series of modified Christmas songs that all, somehow, end up being about Gary – and he starts off the proceedings with a game of pass-the-parcel (or, pass “Gary’s package”).

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - KNOCK KNOCK: Frothily entertaining R16 must-share show
- reviewed by Raewyn Whyte

Eight distinctly different acts comprise the show, each hidden behind its own painted door, and collectively guarded by a good-natured gendarme (Ash Jones) who wields the pole of fate. The running order is decided by the sequence of door knocking engaged in by audience members, and the utterly unpredictable individual acts serve up rollicking fun interlaced with fabulously impressive aerial feats nonchalantly performed.

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Keirunga Homestead Theatre, Keirunga Gardens, Puflett Rd, Havelock North - LASHINGS OF WHIPPED CREAM: Canes it
- reviewed by Kirsty van Rijk

Lashings of Whipped Cream is a one woman show that invites the audience into the dungeon of a dominatrix. It is an interview (although who is being interviewed is us, the audience, and not Mistress Dominique) and candid conversation with a Kiwi working woman in who provides bondage and discipline (and a few other specialities).

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BATS Theatre (Out Of Site), Cnr Cuba & Dixon, Wellington - SKETCH UP: An eclectic range of often bizarre yet always recognisable characters
- reviewed by John Smythe

One splendidly played recurring scenario multi-characterises an extended family gathering, irrevocably infected by inappropriate Aunty Joan and a toxic relationship between a couple that put the kids in differing defensive modes. Surprises abound in each visitation.

Another involves the simple ritual of gift-giving and cleverly brings an audience member into the loop to help capture the excruciating embarrassment of …

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BATS Theatre (Out Of Site), Cnr Cuba & Dixon, Wellington - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: CHRISTMAS WITH CELIA: Clever contemporary humour
- reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku

It totally relies on audience intelligence and there could be criticism that this is targeted at a certain kind of Wellingtonian: educated, well-read and interested in politics. However, because of its political satirical nature, there is something generic in its content and delivery that we can all relate too. After all, an a-hole in a suit is still just an a-hole, right?

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BATS Theatre (Out Of Site), Cnr Cuba & Dixon, Wellington - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS: CHRISTMAS WITH CELIA: No shortage of targets at this festive party
- reviewed by Laurie Atkinson

It’s Christmas and Celia is having a party and her only guests, apart from the audience, are all politicians. The only drink on offer is organic eggnog, which isn’t quite strong enough for Winston.

The entertainment she offers is simple. There’s a very brief reading from ‘A Christmas Cawol’, some presents under the tree for two lucky audience members, a couple of songs (one by Winston), and a visit from three unwise men.

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

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