Monica Moore News

Written by Albert Belz, 'Astroman' captures a kiwi slice of life from the '80's; a heartfelt and energetic piece highlighted with humour, struggle and plenty of 'ah-ha', 'ha-ha' and 'awww' moments in all the right places.

This performance not only circumnavigated around my heart several times but captured it in a willing surrender of raw emotional energy. I have never seen or experienced anything quite like it. The raw, basal emotion that was produced from the carefully crafted vocal sounds was simply incredible; dynamics like I've never seen before. If you can go, you must, if you can't, find a way!

It's those feelings and desires to which we can all connect. Shakespeare knew this well - and the direction of this play presented a range of skilled and moving performances that had groundlings in front of me, and the audience seated in the bays of the lower gallery beside me, entirely captivated.  It is an outstanding final show in the 2018/2019 Pop Up season.

How apt being here just after the celebrations of International Women's Day! All feminists need to see this and those who are not, also need to see this. It is bawdy so leave the under 16's at home. Although billed a comedy ( and it is certainly very funny), there is a great commentary about how women used their subservient role to get what they wanted and when the nun forgives the Mayor at the end (spoiler alert!) women come out on the moral high ground - clever clever clever!

North Shore Music Theatre's 'The Last 5 Years' is a heartbreaking, emotional roller coaster from the first glorious note to the last. It's compelling and you simply do not want to miss this!

Neil Simon's 'California Suite,' a 1970's series of stories set in a fictitious Beverly Hills Hotel Room gives us a snapshot of relationships and the human condition within 4 different scenarios. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant each piece is engaging revealing a deeper more significant insight of the characters involved.

Leading ladies Megan O'Reilly playing Dorothy Brock and Geena Hutton as Peggy Sawyer are both powerhouses of talent. O'Reilly certainly channels her inner diva, stepping into the role like a hand in a glove. She plays up her 'past her use by date' persona until she sings and dances revealing talent galore and matching her onstage rival, Geena Hutton, step for step, kick for kick and voice for voice. Hutton is superb.

While this is a light-hearted frolic through a well-crafted piece, there is irony in each of the characters and levels of social commentary particularly around the issue of euthanasia. Social status, acceptability and credibility are all well represented.

A thoroughly entertaining evening for anyone wishing to explore the early years of a master songwriter and an absolute must for fans. The songs are intimate and complex with compelling harmonies and characterisation.

Those over 18 are guaranteed a night of raucous laughter. The comedy, the skill, the surprises, the wanton sexual overtones and the laughter, oh the laughter! It's all there in this incredible show brought to you by a line up of international talent

Having already tasted 'the fine wine' after an exquisite journey with 'The Daylight Atheist', award-winning playwright Tom Scott's story about his father, I was unsure how I was going to feel about 'Joan', Scott's play about his mother. 'Joan' takes us on a different path and so it should.

Michael Hurst is simply captivating as Danny Moffat. Hurst didn't show us the life of Danny Moffat, he took us with him, transporting us to another time and place melding both skill and charisma. This is a first-class theatre experience

The beautiful setting of the amphitheatre on the shore of Lake Pupuke and adjacent to the main PumpHouse Theatre is the perfect place to enjoy a night of Shakespearean theatre. Come early and enjoy the offerings of the French Rendezvous Cafe complete with bar facilities. Bring your own cushions and blankets if you wish and set yourself up for a great night of theatre right in the centre of the North Shore.

The nominations for the iTICKET Northern Area Performance Theatre Awards were officially announced on Tuesday night at a special function held at the iTICKET Office in Ponsonby, Auckland.

The world premiere of emerging playwright Richard De Luca's 'Death of a Dream' has certainly paid off for Dolphin Theatre's Committee as it took out an array of  awards including Best Production, Best Female Lead Role, Best Supporting Female, Best Supporting Male and Best character male at their annual end of year awards night and Christmas party.

Director Syd Mannion and his team have encapsulated the essence of what this story is about and this is the crucial success of this production. The characters are sensationally played; they are charismatic, exquisitely presented in delicious period costume and the story is supported with a craftily constructed set.

Shortland St the Musical. Was that a sharp intake of breath? What madness is this? At least, that was my reaction when I first heard that this show was being developed into a full-length musical comedy. I have seen little bits and pieces of the long-running soap, but I never really recognised what my other friends saw in it and therefore chose to block it out of my television browsing hours. I do feel compelled however to pay homage to the long-standing show, well into its third decade and has been sold to many overseas countries.

I was  intrigued to see how the producers would breathe life into this and they have crafted a show that takes you on a bittersweet journey that is incredibly moving. And yes....you will cry. I am slightly annoyed at them for making me cry in public, I like to keep up my tough guy reputation...but I could not hold back.

Howick Little Theatre's production of I'll Leave It to You successfully transports the audience back to another time with a sublime attention to detail of every aspect of the production. The full house on Opening Night was treated to a hilarious farce encased in a visually authentic wrapping of superb set and costumes.