The latest Theatreview Weekly includes reviews of The Disaster Brothers, Te Manawa, and The F Word.

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

* * *

The latest Theatreview Weekly includes reviews of The Disaster Brothers, Te Manawa, and The F Word.

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

* * *

NOW 2015: Young, fresh and exuberant
Meteor Theatre, Hamilton
- reviewed by Brenda Rae Kidd

Oomph, by Anna Bate is a hoot. The dancers become not just symbols of movement but instruments of sound. Can sound itself be a tactile thing? Dancer Jeremy Beck is compelling as he masters the awkward, jerky rhythms with such fun I could not take my eyes off him. Hilarious. The costume department makes good use of several sheets of coloured plastic for outfits. Quirky but no less an accomplished work.

------------------------------------------------------------------

TE MANAWA: Haka theatre show warmly appreciated by whanau
Shed 1, Corban Estate Arts Centre, Auckland
- reviewed by Raewyn Whyte

Te Manawa is a vigorous, rapidly moving blend of kapa haka, theatre, and contemporary song and dance. It features some rich singing, deft haka, a little comedy, and colourful characters who bring the story to life

------------------------------------------------------------------

THE F WORD: A classy and spirited critique
Elmwood Theatre, 31 Aikmans Road, Merivale, Christchurch - Canterbury
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

Such thoughtful material has no business to be so entertaining. Part of its charm lies in the sheer slickness of fast moving scenes, some of them set in train by the ‘alternative’ wedding plans of a liberal, fair minded couple, interspersed with surreal detours into underlying assumptions and conventions, as attitudes arise and are examined.

------------------------------------------------------------------

SIT ON IT: Stereotypes aplenty
The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

... eventually the lights dim and the pumping dance music builds to a level where all but the most basic communication is impossible. Yes, it’s just like a club atmosphere but I become anxious that if it stays at that level, which it does, I won’t hear much of the dialogue – and I don’t.

------------------------------------------------------------------

INKY PINKY PONKY: A modern day fairy tale with teeth and claws
The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

The playwrights ease transgender issues into their text but in smart ways that never seem laboured. There’s the issue of school uniforms for trans kids, concerns about who uses what toilets and the eternal chestnut of who can legitimately be friends with whom.

------------------------------------------------------------------

BED: Rich, cohesive, touching, profound, endlessly funny
The Basement, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Bed is, like each and every member of the audience, as unique and as inimitable as Henson’s vision and director Virginia Frankovich’s interpretation could possibly make it and that’s without including the excellent contributions made by each and every actor with the seemingly endless cast of characters who people this play.

------------------------------------------------------------------

NOW 2015: Invigorating and thought provoking
Maidment, Auckland
- reviewed by Camelle Pink

The company dancers perform skillfully, maintaining our attention throughout the show. They slip between the four choreographies with agility and stamina. This series of short works demonstrates that Footnote New Zealand Dance continues to be versatile and allow artistic risk to hold a place in their repertoire. It is fantastic to see that they offer themselves as a platform for both emerging and experienced artists to develop new works.

------------------------------------------------------------------

LIVE ACTS ON STAGE: Clever and funny
Whitireia Performance Centre, 25-27 Vivian Street, Wellington
- reviewed by Maraea Rakuraku

A couple of times I look at the audience and I’m not the only one sitting riveted watching the action progress. Who needs True Detective and Wayward Pines when you have these original tales of lust, betrayal and vengeance?

------------------------------------------------------------------

NOW 2015: Lolly mix show
Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown, Wellington
- reviewed by Ann Hunt

Definitely a mixed bag then, but depending on your taste, there'll be something here for you.

------------------------------------------------------------------

THE DISASTER BROTHERS: Hilarious ineptitude
Fortune Theatre, Dunedin
- reviewed by Terry MacTavish

It may sound sentimental, but truly there are few experiences more enchanting than being surrounded by ecstatic children sharing the magic of theatre. The presence of real live actors is thrilling, the other children’s excitement is contagious and they are actually being encouraged to express themselves!

------------------------------------------------------------------

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

Further information:

What began as a glorified blog by John Smythe has now become a major organ of communication, interaction and information that has created an online performing arts community by recording, critiquing, celebrating and debating NZ’s professional performing arts activity.

If you value Theatreview, and want to see it survive and grow to further serve the interests and needs of the performing arts community and their audiences, please join the Performing Arts Directory or offer a donation/koha.