This month, Circa Theatre plays host to a gripping and beautifully intelligent female monologue, the Wolf’s Lair, from the acclaimed Almost a Bird Theatre Collective.
There is no denying it, neo-burlesque has hit Wellington with the likes of Dr Sketchy, the Roller Derby and the works of Fuse Circus, but this revival has finally been cemented in the capital with its very own Burlesque Dance school and it’s not for professionals…
Jess Chambers is no stranger to the Wellington-music scene having championed a successful debut album; worked with the likes of Rhian Sheehan, Module and the Upbeats; AND been responsible for the tender female vocals for the much-loved, much-hyped the Woolshed Sessions coterie that have sold out numerous performances and produced a collection of catchy-country-licked-pop songs.
The capacity crowd at the opening night of Jo Randerson’s Good Night – The End was a testament to the reputation that Randerson, and her production company Barbarian Productions, had cultivated over the years… or perhaps the slightly unnerving publicity stint that saw grim reapers, courtesy of the Binge Culture Collective, wander round town…
The creative octuplet that is The Woolshed Sessions
merged their artistic talents once again to perform to an adoring
Wellington audience last Sunday night, as part of Downstage Theatre’s
new monthly music night.
Entertaining Mr Sloane
is the work of English playwright Joe Orton and is often touted as an
immoral and scandalous black comedy that shocks audiences by its crude
sexual themes and calculating heartlessness.
Then head along to the BATS theatre and check out the annual Young & Hungry Festival, which is set to kick off on the 10th July!This year is the fifteenth birthday of this unique festival that seeks to support budding theatre-types in all aspects of the industry, from acting to design to marketing to backstage crew.
The night kicked off to a later than expected start, which gave punters enough time to fortify themselves with countless jugs in preparation for the grungy rock n' roll onslaught to come.
The Downstage Theatre was almost unrecognisable as I took my seat in the light-dimmed room to watch The Raft. Laid out before me was an impressive cross-section of a bach, complete with wood-panelled floors and walls. There were thin branches of dead bracken hanging from the ceiling and a cute pot-belly stove tucked in a corner. This clever set-design, along with intelligent lighting and sound, set the scene for an incredibly moving piece of theatre that I cannot recommend highly enough.
The 20th century had Sir Howard, Dame Kiri, John Rowles, the Finn brothers, Dobbo, and those loveable larrikins from Shihad. You can now add Fly My Pretties to that list.
The first iconic, kiwi music-act, of the 21st century.
I have no problem saying this because I saw it with my own eyes. The most talent-packed stage anybody could ever wish for, all working as a team to produce one stunning show that almost reeked of quintessential Kiwiana.
It was too often a case of missed opportunities and uneven performances for the opening night of Othello Polynesia. Not to say that there weren’t any highlights amongst this modern retelling of an ancient story. But when you’re taking more interest in the funnier parts of such a classic drama, it’s obvious something’s a bit lacking in terms of the production and its respective players.
For as long as I’ve known the Auckland-based Collapsing Cities there has always been a degree of hype. I guess this was largely due to their bNet domination with the singles Seriously, Or So I Said Last Weekend and Fear Of Opening My Mouth and the successive release of their well-received debut album Elixir Always.
Flipper, in their current incarnation of Bruce Loose, Ted Falconi, Steve DePace and Rachel Thoele, are making their way to the San Francisco Bath House on June 18th as part of a longtime coming and largely antipodean tour. Flipper formed in San Fransico back in 1979 and went on to become one of post-punk’s, no-wave’s and noise rock’s most significant bands. They even had a large impact on the grun
I have never been to the Comedy Divas evening, it is something that I have always intended to check-out, but have inevitably missed it every year. I think it’s the allure of a diverse range of comediennes and the promise of a goodie-bag for a reasonable buck, that gets me every time. Clearly a total win for a tight-arse that thinks stand-up comedy can be a bit of a gamble…
Remember the Cuba Street Carnival? What about those fantastic, drum beating, fish-headed guy’s who took the illuminated night parade by storm? Well they want YOU.
Wellington’s Batucada – our very own community-based Samba percussionists – are on the lookout for new talent.
Knives, pistols, gang warfare, love, betrayal, revenge, murder… yip… Blood Wedding is a powerfully gripping and passionate piece of theatre that keeps you captivated right to the last minute.
Brooklyn-based noisemakers Matt and Kim are a charming, dorky, chaotic, euphoric two piece with Kim on drums and Matt on keys. Their 2006 debut and recent release Grand are both full to the brim of their own blend of spontanious punk on a fistfull of happy pills which really shines live. More like an out of control house parties than concerts, their shows are an exhilarating, rambunctious affair,
Happy Bar always likes a surprise. And that attitude hasn’t changed, with the established ‘Experimental’ music venue moving into the capable hands of new owners, Deborah Resnick and Sam Macleod.
The more out there shows will be limited to one night a week, with Tuesday’s becoming “Experimental Tuesday's”, continuing the Happy tradition of weird and wonderful performances.
See what the chaps from comedy duo Flight of the Conchords were up to six years ago - go and see Tongan Ninja, which will be screened at the Film Archive on Thursday. The Tongan ninja was trained in the ancient art of ninjitsu. When his father was eaten by a fish, Sione (Sam Manu) was brought up to follow
the way of the ninja. Now he must journey toward his greatest challenge
and defend the b
Capital hitters Fat Freddy's Drop and The Black Seeds are padding up to compete for the inaugural Sandwiches SummerSet Twenty20 Cup at the iconic Basin Reserve. This unique Twenty20 match hits off at midday on Tuesday 14 April and entry is absolutely free.
The Flight of the Conchords' masterminds, Bret McKenzie and Jemaine Clement, have achieved outstanding international success over the last five years… a Grammy… two Emmy nominations… four New Zealand Music Awards… 184,826 myspace friends....and are now a major-draw card for an upcoming charity tennis tournament at the Wellington Renouf Tennis Centre… neat…
There are lots of those activist punk rock type of groups around these days. To be honest, I find that most of them are a bit too earnest to take seriously. Their message usually seems to overshadow the actual music. But Canada's Propagandhi who formed in 1986, are one of the true blue originals who I reckon are the real deal and really worth seeing. Not only do they have
Dan Deacon has a graduate degree in electro-acoustic and computer composition, which he uses to create spazzed out 8-bit electronic euphoria. He has an aversion to stages, making his performances something to behold. He piles up synthesizers and effects pedals on a low sitting table, somewhere among the audience, and encourages participation. He released a whole bunch of independent re
Downstage Theatre is one of
Wellington's oldest and best, next year will mark it's 45th birthday.
Downstage has always been an avid supporter of great theatre and the
up and comers. I have seen some amazing plays at Downstage this year,
such as Bare and On the conditions and possibilities of Helen Clark
taking me as her young lover. Judging by the line-up for the first
half of 2009, Downstag
Since late November, internet forums have been full of speculation, some grief and lots of "where will we go now" over the news of Valve Bar unexpectedly closing it's doors.
Valve, on Vivian Street, was notorious in Wellington for being the bar that bands started out at, it avidly supported local bands and the underground, with punk and metal being the staple genres you would hear coming ou
Our Earth, 2073. Outside, AI systems are roaming hungry. Inside, not-quite-exes Billy and Nono face the newfound horror of 'boundaries'...NO NO NO is a sci-fi dark comedy, which explores what we both create and destroy in the people that we love[d].
An Almighty Yes is a bittersweet solo comedy show about how Emma Lange’s bloody cruddy cancer leads to Deaconess Fanny Bribery exorcising beelzebub in her comfy brogues to a lycra dancing sausage and a vigorous final ascent to tiramisu heaven.
Hutt City Council has today agreed to release its draft Long-Term Plan 2024-34 for consultation which sets out proposed investment priorities and activities over the coming decade.
Since it first opened in May 2021, Te Wāhi Āwhina has seen hundreds of people coming through its doors seeking support for a manner of things including housing, employment, mental health, and wellbeing.