Review: Pudgy Mediocre White Men Solve Your Problems
A whiteboard greets us at the top of the stairs of BATS’ Dome Theatre. 10am — Dancing with Craig (R18). It reads. 1.45pm — Knitting with Craig (R18), then 8pm — Dave & Bryan Impov Thing. And that is what we’re here to see (though I am particularly taken by the concept of 12.45pm — Autopsy for Beginners.) We’re at […]
Review: Effy
Reviewed by Lox Dixon. Presented as a part of the TAHI Festival, 2022. Effy is a piece of physical theatre performed by a masked actor, and featuring no verbal communication. The show takes place in what ostensibly looks like a public park. A rubbish bin sits on one side of the stage, an old wooden […]
Review: HATCH
Reviewed by Jules Daniel. Presented by TAHI: New Zealand Festival of Solo Performance, HATCH is an opportunity for five emerging student artists from Te Auaha, Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School, and Te Herenga Waka — Victoria University of Wellington to showcase and develop their work further. The mahi of a program with a kaupapa to […]
Review: Shift Your Paradigm
Shift Your Paradigm Reviewed by Lox Dixon Shift Your Paradigm (No Chairs Required) begins by welcoming us into the Dome space at BATS Theatre, for a chair seminar. The stage is sparse. Two cheap desks are set up, one to either side of stage, and an object (presumably a chair) covered by a sheet, sits […]
Review: Trifles
Reviewed by Shauwn Keil. Upon entering the theatre, we are treated to a magnificent set, designed by Jasmine Bryham. Everything that reminds you of Nana and Poppa’s house is present. Jars of God knows what across the kitchen bench. A kettle and cool mugs. Dinner set items. A paua shell ashtray on a shelf on […]
Review: Illegally Blind
Now, I’m literally in this show so I figured probably not the best for me to review it. This week we’ve got the lovely Cordy Black writing some kind words! The experience starts in the foyer, after a ritual of scanning and phone-waving — the default programme for Illegally Blind is presented to the visitor […]
Review: Best on Tap’s Community Noticeboard
This is the only theatre show currently running in Wellington, we’re told, as Community Noticeboard begins. It’s a little surreal to be back in a theatre — I’ve personally not been in one since like… June? — and it is especially surreal to be wearing masks and spaced out across a traverse in BATS Theatre’s Dome stage. […]
Review: Maximum Benefit
I’m out of commission at the moment brain-wise, and couldn’t get to this show, but the work got lovely comments from those there in my steed. The show season is completely sold out, but I’m certain these two will be about town performing at a later date — they’re a talented pair and deserve your […]
Review: The Saboteur
It’s improv. It’s a game show. It’s delightful chaos. It’s The Saboteur. Off the back of sold-out seasons in the NZ Improv Festival in 2019 and in Melbourne in 2020, The Saboteur is just over an hour’s worth of improv chaos as a part of this year’s Comedy Fest. Five improvisors, one of which is trying to sabotage […]
Preview: The Slutcracker
From School For Gifted Children, and the creator of Change Your Own Life comes a new queer ballet for Christmas. Loosely based on the classic Tchaikovsky ballet The Nutcracker, The Slutcracker tells the story of a queer chosen family Christmas gathering, and a romantic whirlwind night through the queer streets of Wellington. Director Jean Sergent says “I […]