A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including Move: A Seismic Journey, The Engine Room, Lily, and Equanimity (Afro Fusion NZ).

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

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A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including Move: A Seismic Journey, The Engine Room, Lily, and Equanimity (Afro Fusion NZ).

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

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Zeal (above Bodega), Wellington - FALLING SPARROWS HERE OR THERE: Deeply simple fun with angst

- reviewed by John Smythe

Sarah Delahunty and her 1st Gear Productions senior troupe have created a dynamic hour of theatre that almost defies description because to put what happens into words will almost inevitably diminish it. But hey, that’s my job so I have to try.

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Hagley Open Stage, Christchurch - MOVE: A SEISMIC JOURNEY: Evoking our shaky times

- reviewed by Kate Sullivan

This portrayal of the earthquake is exciting and uplifting. I am comforted by the fact that all of the dancers and choreographers have shared experiences that relate so well to what most of us are feeling, making me feel more normal.

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BATS, Wellington - THE ENGINE ROOM: Sport, politics and media make for a vital piece of theatre

- reviewed by Robbie Ellis

The third of BATS Theatre’s rugby-related plays taking place during the Global Oval Ball Sports Tournament, this is another which is only tangentially to do with the sport itself. The Engine Room fuses the physicality, vocabulary, sound worlds and imagery of rugby, protest, politics and the media in a vibrant and provocative way ...

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Geo Dome, Christchurch - LILY: Lily = outsider spinster artist dedicated to her art

- reviewed by Paul Young

In this work, Lyne integrates at least four generations of performers, involves the local community, and honours the experience of our dance antecedents through oral history. What more appropriate homage could she create?

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Meteor Theatre, Hamilton - THE WORD BECOMES ME: The heart is still a lonely hunter

- reviewed by Gail Pittaway

Two in the Hand theatre company presented a tidy package of three short plays which, though not the first night or opening show, gave a great kick start to the Fringe Festival in Hamilton and a reminder of the joys of fringe – offering so much more freedom in style and experimentation for the players than more conventional theatre.

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Rudolf Steiner School Theatre, Christchurch - EQUANIMITY (AFRO FUSION NZ): Lively and entertaining

- reviewed by Paul Young

For anyone with young dance enthusiasts in the family, this show is lively enough to keep them entertained and maybe give them something to aspire to... it is infectious, colourful and worth supporting.

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BATS, Wellington - THE FIRST ASIAN AB: Winning charm from the light touch at Bats

- reviewed by Laurie Atkinson

The First Asian AB, the second of three plays involving rugby that are being presented at Bats during the World Cup, is a two-hander that is 10 minutes longer than a rugby game and has no half-time, though oranges are offered to the audience at the end.

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Geo Dome, Christchurch - FOOTNOTE DANCE: MADE IN NZ 2011: A programme of breadth and substance

- reviewed by Paul Young

Choreographically, Made in New Zealand is a programme of breadth and substance, offering the challenge of the avant-garde alongside the mastery of more established choreographers.

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Q, 305 Queen St, Auckland - TE HOUHI - THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND ARE ONE: Intelligent, heartfelt, and completely engrossing

- reviewed by Roxanne de Bruyn

The maturity of the dancers is obvious; they are precise and expressive, fully portraying the emotions of the story. There is a gritty resolve and determination as well as a hint of desperation which is almost tangible in the dancing.

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Takutai Square, Britomart Precinct, City, Auckland - MIKA’S AROHA MARDI GRAS: Unity through diversity

- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

The Aroha Festival is the brainchild of Mika and history clearly points to one fact above all others: Mika delivers what he says he’ll deliver despite dreaming the seemingly impossible.

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Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre, Auckland - HEROES: Courageous and beautifully crafted sports rich tapestry

- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Tests are set and plays played out within a riotous verbal wrangle of sexist, homophobic and racist mockery, none of it truly serious, as these rugby-heads wait for their own Godot, a Godot who, like Becket’s, never comes but is eagerly awaited.

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BATS, Wellington - PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS #2: Borax poked effectively

- reviewed by Laurie Atkinson

It’s election year and time to revive (or should that be disinter?) the late-night satirical revue. James Nokise and Rachel Henry have come up with a 40 minute revue that contains quick-fire sketches that were once the staple diet of TV comedy.

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Q, 305 Queen St, Auckland - TE HOUHI - THE PEOPLE AND THE LAND ARE ONE: Beautifully crafted, intricately layered

- reviewed by Raewyn Whyte

The imagery is rich, the story well told, the many elements very carefully integrated thanks to the sophistication of the work as whole, and it is beautifully presented by a team of mature dancers.

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BATS, Wellington - THE FIRST ASIAN AB: More is less

- reviewed by John Smythe

As with Death By Cheerleader there is no doubting the talent of the performers. Ben Teh and Paul Fagamalo play a tireless 90 minute game of multiple characters supporting two lead roles with energy, wit and discretion, backed by likewise indefatigable live musician Robbie Ellis.

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BATS, Wellington - DEATH BY CHEERLEADER: Futuristic cheerleaders in unfunny bellyflop

- reviewed by Laurie Atkinson

As we all know, there have been disasters of rugby games. How could we not know with the ABs playing France on Saturday? Disasters are not unknown in the theatre too.

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Q Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland - I, GEORGE NEPIA: Pure New Zealand theatre at its absolute best

- reviewed by Tamati Patuwai

E Hika ma, he mihi mutunga kore aku ki a koutou puukenga hei whakawhanake te Rangatira nei ki te ao whanui. Ka huri oku mihi ki a koe e Papa George, na o tauiratanga i puta mai ki a matou nga uri whakatipu. Tenei te mihi whakahonore atu ki a koe me o whanau whanui.

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Ginger Meggs Salon, Avonhead, Christchurch - SALON: Filling in the gaps is just part of the appeal

- reviewed by Alan Scott

Salon is unusual and quite striking theatre. It is a slice-of-life piece actually staged in a real salon, the well known Ginger Meggs, now relocated, courtesy of the earthquake, to Avonhead.

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Opera House, Wellington - FOOTNOTE DANCE: MADE IN NZ 2011: Elastacised loose limbs know no bounds.

- reviewed by Greer Robertson

Renowned for their unrelenting quest and unstoppable zest for contemporary dance, fresh from their whirlwind international tour, Footnote Dance command a presence in their new Wellington season. As New Zealand’s longest running professional contemporary dance company, in front of an enthusiastic devotee crowd, the dancers give their all.

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Q Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland - STRANGE RESTING PLACES: Humour, pain and profound insight shared

- reviewed by Nik Smythe

Fortunately, all the layers of meaning and significance are clear as can be, remarkably despite the fairly convoluted connections between the numerous characters whose stories all tie in to the tragic destruction in early 1944 of thousands of soldiers and citizens in and around the allied bombers’ target, Monte Cassino’s centuries old medieval abbey.

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Ginger Meggs Salon, Avonhead, Christchurch - SALON: Humour and pathos achieved despite a faulty script

- reviewed by Elody Rathgen

This is in an unusual setting for a play which both works and doesn’t work. It is in a functioning hair salon which gives immediacy and a dimension of believability. It also is another example of the Christchurch festival events being accessible to people in the suburbs. On the other hand ...

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Q Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland - I, GEORGE NEPIA: Calm, poetic homage to a wide-eyed hero

- reviewed by Janet McAllister

I want to be a rock in the river of history, changing its flow, muses Jarod Rawiri as George Nepia in this calm, poetic, almost transcendental homage to the 1924 Invincibles fullback. Then he shrugs and says he’s no rock, he’s just a “pebble”.

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Old Boy’s Theatre, Christ’s College, Christchurch - HE REO AROHA: A magical piece of theatre

- reviewed by Alan Scott

He Reo Aroha is one of those magical pieces of theatre where, out of nothing but a bare stage, a couple of chairs and two guitars, the actors create a whole world of love, heartache and laughter, of regret, forgiveness and hope.

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Circa Two - return season, Wellington - HE REO AROHA: Anyone who brings a date will not be disappointed

- reviewed by James McKinnon

He Reo Aroha is well-travelled by now, and for good reason. It has pleased crowds in Canada, Australia, Hawaii, and all around New Zealand. It thoroughly delighted the audience at Circa on Wednesday night.

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

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