Review: MY YEAR WITH LORRAINE at Pumphouse Theatre, AucklandMarch 24, 2023Excellent two hander , written and directed by Tanya M. Wheeler, made its world premiere at THE PUMPHOUSE THEATRE on Wednesday 22 March. Sounding very much like authentic conversation, it's a very moving and inspiring narrative about two women who find solace and support through a desire to move forward in their lives.
Review: HOME, I'M DARLING by Laura Wade
at Howick Little TheatreMarch 2, 2023What did our critic think of HOME, I'M DARLING at Howick Little Theatre? Imaginatively directed with an eye for detail by Carleena Walsh, this award-winning play is thought-provoking and effectively executed by a very talented cast and creative team. Winner of the 2019 Olivier Award for Best New Comedy, the play was first performed in 2018 by A Theatr Clwyd and the National Theatre, London. But don't be fooled by its comic disguise, this is a play which will not only entertain, it will also make you think.
Review: DI AND VIV AND ROSE at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna, AucklandNovember 13, 2022What did our critic think of DI AND VIV AND ROSE at THE PUMPHOUSE Theatre, Takapuna, Auckland?Don't we all hunger for human connection? Love? Support? Laughter? Directed superbly, with exquisite attention to detail, by Stephanie McKellar- Smith, the action of this emotionally-charged play centres on the powerful bond between three women. The cast (Lisa Chappell, Eilish Moran, Jodie Dorday) is exceptional and there isn’t a moment when we are not captivated. Enacted with psychological, physical and emotional truth - faces, voices and movement ensure that right from the outset, we have a clear indication of the personality, values, attitudes and ambitions of the three “girls”. The 1980s was indeed a time of shift
Review: THE WRITER at Q TheatreSeptember 4, 2022THE WRITER is an emotionally rich, eloquent and engaging play that surprises. This is an adult play that addresses creativity, gender inequalities and power, particularly in the theatre setting: 'You get to make the world and I get to live in it.'
BWW Review: DHABA ON DEVON AVENUE at TAPACMay 29, 2022Opening night of a world premiere – and it’s a passionate and eloquent drama of a family polarised by a gamut of emotions: pride, determination, challenge and heritage. A ypical conversation that you have with your parents about ‘you just need to let me do my thing. You brought me to a new country to have a better life, so don't restrict the rules of the better life to back home.
BWW Review: THE TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA at The Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna, AucklandJanuary 31, 2022Opening night of the second play of the Shoreside's Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - and it's raining. However, spirits undeterred - the actors and the audience move into the auditorium, and the comedy begins. The Two Gentlemen of Verona was probably one of Shakespeare's first comedies alongside The Comedy of Errors and The Taming of the Shrew. By writing a play about friendship versus love, Shakespeare was challenging more established writers of the time --namely, Chaucer, Lyly and Francis Bacon. The play incorporates many of the themes, stereotypes and ideas of his later works: how appearance and reality might not be the same thing, the use of disguises, mirror plots, and cross gender performances.
BWW Review: Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE presented by Shoreside Theatre at The Pumphouse, Takapuna.January 24, 2022Opening night of the first play of the Shoreside's Auckland Shakespeare in the Park - and it's a clever comedy, its controversy eloquently driven by polarised emotions: friendship, revenge, love, hate, justice, mercy. Whether this is your first time or another of many viewings, there is much to surprise, engage and amuse you in the superb and imaginative direction by the director, Trevor Sharpe. Shakespeare meant his audiences to be addressed directly and to feel as if the thoughts being spoken, are being spoken immediately and spontaneously to us. His text is dialogue not poetry.
BWW Review: 'SPIDER'S WEB' at Dolphin TheatreAugust 8, 2021This is an intricate plot of murder, police, drug addicts, invisible ink, hidden doorways, secret drawers, dropped clues and engineered plot twists. Expertly directed by Matthew Cousins, with well-timed plot elements, well-balanced farce, and creative flair, the audience is entirely entertained and engaged.