A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including Hamlet Dies at the End, The Last Taniwha, Closer, Skin Tight and Awhi Tapu.

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

A selection of reviews from Theatreview from the last week including Hamlet Dies at the End, The Last Taniwha, Closer, Skin Tight and Awhi Tapu.

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

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BATS, Wellington - HAMLET DIES AT THE END: Humour and heart

- reviewed by Hannah Smith

Hamlet Dies at the End is right up my alley, a light-hearted comedy following a community theatre class staging a production of Hamlet. Ego, passion, tears and trauma abound, as do cheeky observations that will be readily recognisable to any one who has ever been involved in amateur theatre.

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Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland - THE LAST TANIWHA: Brutality dealt to with depth and good humour

- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

It’s raw, real and painful (in a good way) to watch, in part because of the nature of the play’s themes but also because of the company’s no-holds-barred approach to the play. Murupara is where the narrative of The Last Taniwha unfolds ...

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Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland - THE LAST TANIWHA: Distinctive voice of the taniwha

- reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton

Current events suggest the show's title is somewhat premature in proclaiming the imminent extinction of the taniwha. But the spirit that haunts Chris Molloy's play is of a very different order from the remarkably resilient species that has been turning up at recent planning tribunal hearings and city council meetings.

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Whitirea Theatre, 25-27 Vivian Street, Wellington - CLOSER: Struggled to care

- reviewed by Helen Sims

There’s a risk for a fledgling theatre company when performing a very famous play (that was turned into a very famous movie); namely that is bearing up under the weight of expectations. Closer is such a ‘very famous play’, and given the excellent advance publicity for the production, my expectations were high.

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Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre, Auckland - SKIN TIGHT: Revel in the sensuality of one of our best stories

- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

In Melissa Fergusson’s excellent production we get a new look at this fine play and it is absolutely riveting stuff, as much for its fresh, naturalistic approach as for its loyalty to the text.

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TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland - AWHI TAPU: Considerable emotional impact is nonetheless

- reviewed by Nik Smythe

The doors open and the audience is invited in warmly by the playful beany-clad Sonny (Tola Newbery), instantly creating a sense that we are a part of this community. The impression is enhanced as the cast of three male and one female young adults wail out classic standards to a nylon string guitar while the patrons duly seat themselves.

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