Free tickets to Downstage (limited time, conditions apply)

Finding Murdoch posterThe lovely people at Downstage have offered Wellingtonista-readers the chance to see the new NZ play Finding Murdoch free next Monday or Tuesday.

Reviewer John Smythe at theatreview.org.nz said of the show:

My partner loved it and rugby is not her bag. But then it’s written by a woman about a woman’s desire to achieve and understand, and it’s directed by a woman, so I shouldn’t be surprised. Which isn’t to say rugby orientated blokes won’t like it too. Heading for the car (after the Monday 6.30 show) I bumped into Keith Quinn – of sportscasting fame – and asked him if he’d just been to Finding Murdoch. “Saw it on opening night,” he said. “It’s terrific. You should go.”

There’s more about the show here, and we have 20 double-passes to give away to either Monday or Tuesday of next week. Simply email theatre@downstage.co.nz with the word “Wellingtonista” in the subject line, and the name of the All Black the play is about in the body of the email, and the magic of time-stamping will do the rest. First 20 are in.

Stinky poo, stinky poo

Where's your worm now!?!?Whilst Wellingtonista Towers is home to the funky, the hip and the connected it also houses the dads, mums and general caregivers to the next generation of the funky, hip and connected.

For those that are also parents can I recommend the latest Kapitall Kids Theatre show at the Gryphon Theatre of Spike Milligan’s Badjelly the Witch

Whilst a paid theatre reviewer would probably use phrases such as “professional”, “engaging”, “a delight”, “something for the adults” and “a must see for all the family” my son and I can only say – GO! It’s a total hoot and you’ll love the music (pop), jokes (topical) and acting (awesome).

Details

Where: The Gryphon on Ghuznee [ZoomIn map]
When: now until Saturday 14th of April
Time: 11 am, 1 pm; 3pm Mon – Fri
Price: $10 per person, $36 for family
How to book: 04-934 4068 or just turn up
Age: 3+ years

The Player and the Advocate

the player and the advocate

Oscar is a hotshot young actor in the bustling Elizabethan Wellington theatre scene, loved by the Publick, but resented by the authorities. When he is kicked out of his theatre company for ‘improvising’, he must fight, not only to get his job back, but also to stop the Queen from pushing the country into all-out war…

What if Wellington were the centre of the Elizabethan world, pioneering an explosion in theatre, fashion, new music and coffeehouses at the birth of the modern age?

Awesome. The short pitch is ‘Whale Rider meets Shakespeare in Love’, but the above is the longer synopsis of the plot for The Player and the Advocate – a new film being written by Wellingtonian John Parker.

John’s having a public reading of the feature film treatment on…

Sunday 1st October, 4:00pm
@ Katipo Café, 76 Willis Street, Wellington
Duration: 1 hour (45 minutes for reading, 15 minutes feedback session)
Cost: free!
Featuring: Erin Banks and James Stewart, two of Wellington’s finest theatrical talent

…so feel free to head along and help shape what will hopefully be one of the next great pieces of Wellington film-making at its earliest stages.

More info at the official website.

Young and Hungry 2006

young and hungry. students, eh?The Young and Hungry 2006 season is about to get under way, with three plays produced and performed by ‘yoof’ starting their two week run down at Bats from this Friday night.

This year we’ve got How to Live in a World Full of Terrorists, Generator, and, winner of best title award, Butt Ugly, which also sounds like it has the most entertaining (if familiar) plot: “What happens when all the odd-ball freaks band together and set out for revenge?”

The Y&H plays are always good fun, and have spawned many a renowned thespian over the years – be sure to pop along and spot new theatre talent in the making. Book at Bats.

Stories Told to Me by Girls, second season

Those of you who missed out on the first season of Julie Hill’s play ‘Stories Told to Me by Girls‘ should head down to Happy tonight or tomorrow (or yesterday or the day before that, if you have the technology), to catch a special return season. Laurie Atkinson’s review in the Dom is suitably gushing… […]

Stories Told to Me by Girls

Well, after a well-earned holiday, the staff of Wellingtonista Towers are starting to retake their respective blogging places around the spacious and freshly decorated open plan office. First up in our ‘recommended things to do in the evening now that your days have returned to the daily working grind’ is “Stories Told to Me by […]

Backyard Theatre – Misconceptions

-Misconceptions- Strange images on the fax? A dead Okapi in Copenhagen zoo?? Abused blackberries from the freezer??? And Ratty from The Wind in the Willows???? Who the *#@* is Zoe????? Does she really have wings?????? For the answers see “Misconceptions” – David Lewis’ virtuoso comedy, by turns hilarious and heartbreaking, straight-talking and surreal. Matthew and […]

romp pomp a stomp

Dorothy the Dinosaur and friends will be hitting the St James on Friday 22nd July. A goodly number of the Wellingtonist kids went to the Wiggles recently, and no doubt will be wanting to attend this gig too. As Wellingtonist friend Martha says: Anyone who missed the Wiggles – stop crying! Dorothy is coming with […]

Young and Hungry

The latest Young and Hungry season gets underway this week at Bats, with three new plays being staged by crews of (mostly) young and aspiring thespians. This play – The Many Faces of Kelly J Loko – particularly caught the eye. From the blurb… Laptops, i-pods, chat rooms and text messaging – welcome to the […]