Monica Moore - Page 3

Inside the cavernous Fly Palmy Arena, Greek legend collides with space opera via Cirque de Soleil in the epic human-powered gravity and vertigo-defying Dust Palace sci-fi reset of Homer’s Odyssey. It’s an audacious live mash-up featuring elements of Star Trek, Star Wars, Red Dwarf and Guardians of the Galaxy. So what if a few details get changed, rearranged or condensed in the telling. This is outer space, man. Homer’s story – colossal though it is – is simply a means to frame Herculean feats of aerial artistry and dramatic beauty, while showcasing high-level production values on a grand theatrical scale.

Dave Spark and Glen Ruske are to be congratulated. Under their respective businesses Pixel and Bouncenz , together with Electro - Tech services and Hang - Up Entertainment, they have not just found a silver lining out from under COVID 19 lockdowns, they’ve found Gold! This revue style show gives the audience a taste of some 30 plus Musicals sublimely performed by six powerhouse performers from stages around the World.

This story is a sensitive one and there's some pretty dark themes running through it. Tuatara Collective are committed to an innovative arts practice that supports mental health in the arts industry for artists and audiences. A psychologist or qualified counsellor is present during all performances a?' a first in the industry and a very apt and necessary way to acknowledge the seriousness of these issues.

The high-voltage laughter was genuine and shockingly easy. All five nominees were exceptional and presented us with their own individualised well-crafted 'slice of life', entwined with fragments of their personal stories. Go along and see their individual shows!

Director Glenda Pearce is known for her attention to detail and she has successfully replicated the realism of the retirement home; highlighting the atmosphere and the experiences of the diverse characters who live there and delivering the humour.

'Shakespeare was Written by Chicks' pokes fun at poetry, prose and patriarchy- challenging, questioning and debating the authenticity of Shakespeare's literary contributions as fake news- by 'proving', using examples of strong women from history whom he ripped off,  and apparently claimed as his own talent.  

The combination of Sir Roger Hall's script, director Colin McColl's skill and supreme delivery by Alison Quigan and Mark Hadlow (ONMZ) created the synergy for superb entertainment. Sir Roger Hall maybe in his 80's but he's let us all know loud and clear that he still has 'it'; in fact, this latest work is one of his best.

The image of Shakespeare peering out, as if hidden from behind a barrier, as the choice of poster, entices and intrigues - and sets the scene for a pair of revealing performances - is he watching us, or are we watching him? Shakespeare's insights into the tortured depths of the ambitious and unscrupulous, paired by his playful reveal of pastoral romance set against the seven ages and stages, in human development.

With the flamboyant style of Prince and a voice as mind-blowing as Freddy, this daring deviant riffs through 'RESPECT', breezes through 'Bohemian Rhapsody', and will leave you singin' in the 'Purple Rain'. It's all the queens and kings you love to belt along to, in a hilarious cabaret romp you'll be talking about for days. Will he have a coronation, or just a corona?

A spectacular, colourful night of exotic and extravagant Vaudevillian cabaret - this was

Opening night of the second play of the Pop-Up Globe's Summer Season of Love - and it's a playful, laughter-filled, exuberant, Polynesian-tinged romp. The slapstick farce of Dogberry and Verges' pre-show action makes immediate and direct connection with the audience. Already, we know there will be no moments lacking lively audience interaction. 'Much Ado about Nothing' is filled with a range of comedic layers- the wit, the intellectual banter, the farce, the clowning, the slapstick, the sexual innuendo. The festive tone (so appropriate for the festive season) is secured in the opening moments as the characters explode on to the stage for the first of many dance sequences. The audience is in for a treat - and they know it.

The opening night audience was enthralled from the first notes of the band to the last at Auckland Performing Arts Academy's 'The Addams Family'.

Is there anything better than family and the anticipation of Christmas as December's end draws closer? That is the question we were delighted to answer at the opening night of 'A Christmas Story the Musical'. And it is a resounding 'No'. With all the negativity in the world at the moment it was lovely to have a night to sit back, relax and be transported to a time where childlike innocence and family values were paramount.

Want to see a heart-warming, unexpectedly clever spoof? Commissioned and developed by Silo Theatre with funding assistance of Creative New Zealand and Silo Theatre's Patron Donors, the 'Bollywood' spaghetti western is a superb mix of light and breezy, with an undercurrent of serious political and media commentary.

Self-appointed Captain Mainwaring, the pompous bank manager, is created with true authenticity by Bradley Pope in his first major role, and it is testament to his outstanding commitment that he cut off his thick head of hair to become Mainwaring's double.

What a concept - who does not remember the naked ambition, the competition, the betrayal, bribery and jealously in the Primary School classroom to secure a plumb role in the annual Christmas Nativity play! We can instantly relate and regress several, if not many decades.As Playwright Tim Firth says, this life lesson, experienced by all, prepares us for one of the toughest issues we will ever have to face as adults: 'The part you end up with in life may not be the part you deserve.'

For fans of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and period comedic farce, this play will entirely engage, delight, and entertain. Intelligently and creatively directed by Andrew Gordon, it provides everything you love about live theatre: extravagant characters with underlying motives, a mystery thriller with many characters who could 'have done it', superb comic timing, an eerie atmosphere conveyed through creative lighting and sound, authentic costumes, dramatic irony, and a clearly articulated Sherlock Holmes style.

Visually this show is spectacular thanks to super talented costume designers Helen Chessum. My particular favourites were Potiphar's scene with it's truly striking black and white theme and all the Pharoah scenes where the attention to detail ensured the wow factor- collars, wigs, sparkly shoes and even a fully bedazzled Elvis cape. Marty Wilson's attention to detail in his hair and make-up design was highlighted for me by the blue stripes in Pharoah's hair which matched his Egyptian eyeshadow.

Fuelled by the desire to assist three talented South Auckland teenagers to get to The Junior Theatre Festival in America in January 2020, Emma Bishop has come together with 3 equally talented performer friends to create 'Queen_St' - and audiences are loving what they do.