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

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LITTLE CHILD OF MIRACLE: Yet to deliver on its promise
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Devised and presented by Christopher Stratton & Natalie Maria Clark
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

This is a new work but it is also very much a work in its embryonic stages. There are seeds of good ideas sprinkled throughout and the premise of an adult fairytale deserves to be respected. There is a nod to the silent film era but it's clumsy and awkward, as are the often-muffled voice overs and the ad hoc design.

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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: Emotions fly in epic tale of love and war
Pop-Up Globe, Bard's Yard, 38 Greys Avenue, CBD, Auckland
By William Shakespeare 
Produced & directed by Vanessa Byrnes 
Presented by Byrnes Productions Ltd with support from Unitec
- reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton

In Antony & Cleopatra the clash of civilisations is set against the intimacy of a tender love story and the epic struggle between Rome and Egypt comes to represent the conflicting impulses that exist within each of us.

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THE SEVEN SONS OF SUPPARATH: THE WINCH OF FATE - PART ONE: Hilarious, exciting and superbly performed
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written by Uther Dean and Paul Waggott 
Directed by Hannah Banks and Uther Dean 
Presented by My Accomplice
- reviewed by Baz Macdonald

Where the story does succeed is in how many opportunities it offers for jokes, gags and amazing physical performance. The show is full to the brim with all of the above, with a nice mix of general comedy and more pointed referential jokes and genre call-outs, meaning there is comedy to be had for genre fans and neewbies alike.

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MISS JEAN BATTEN: Fascinating, appealing, stimulating, stirring
Basement Theatre Studio, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Written and co-produced by Phil Ormsby 
Directed by Amanda Rees 
Presented by Flaxworks
- reviewed by Leigh Sykes

Alex Ellis is immediately engaging. She involves the audience from the get-go, and invites us to be her sounding board, friend, confidante and admirer, and I must admit, I become an admirer very quickly. She addresses us directly, involving us so easily with a beaming smile, a knowing glance or thoughtful expression.

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ANTONY AND CLEOPATRA: Innovative, often arresting and surprising
Pop-Up Globe, Bard's Yard, 38 Greys Avenue, CBD, Auckland
By William Shakespeare 
Produced & directed by Vanessa Byrnes 
Presented by Byrnes Productions Ltd with support from Unitec
- reviewed by Leigh Sykes

The actors show a great understanding of the Pop-Up Globe space throughout the production. They play to all areas of the space and invite the audience to be involved in the action, speaking directly to individuals and pleading with groups to help bring Antony to Cleopatra’s monument. The speed and variety of exits and entrances keep the play moving forward quickly and effectively.

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A MAN WALKS INTO A BAR: Challenging in all the right ways
Te Pou Theatre, 44a Portage Road, New Lynn, Auckland
By David Geary 
Directed by Chris Martin 
Presented by Rangatahi Series 2016
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

It’s clear from the outset that this production has been created with a great deal of care, that the complex and, at times, difficult text is well orchestrated and that this is matched by a physical choreography that serves to get Geary’s text off the page and into our faces with alacrity.

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TURN OF THE SCREW: Undeniably intriguing
Isaac Theatre Royal, The Gloucester Room, Christchurch
By Henry James 
Adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher 
Directed by Michael Adams 
Presented by NO Productions Theatre Collective
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

To describe this subtly crafted tale as a ghost story runs the risk of understatement, for both the original novella, published in 1898 and this adaptation for stage keep us guessing and cogitating in a way which goes well beyond a simple tale of the supernatural.

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THE GLITTA SUPERNOVA EXPERIENCE: LETS GET METAPHYSICAL: All that Glittas is definitely not Gold
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Pretty Peepers Cabaret (AUS)
- reviewed by Sharu Delilkan

As someone who’s seen a heap of burlesque cabaret theatre over the years I can tell you that I’m no prude in any shape or form. 

However Glitta Supernova strutting her ‘stuff’ on stage from the get-go was not only outright tasteless and vulgar ...

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

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