Monica Moore News

A spectacular, colourful night of exotic and extravagant Vaudevillian cabaret - this was

Opening night of the second play of the Pop-Up Globe's Summer Season of Love - and it's a playful, laughter-filled, exuberant, Polynesian-tinged romp. The slapstick farce of Dogberry and Verges' pre-show action makes immediate and direct connection with the audience. Already, we know there will be no moments lacking lively audience interaction. 'Much Ado about Nothing' is filled with a range of comedic layers- the wit, the intellectual banter, the farce, the clowning, the slapstick, the sexual innuendo. The festive tone (so appropriate for the festive season) is secured in the opening moments as the characters explode on to the stage for the first of many dance sequences. The audience is in for a treat - and they know it.

The opening night audience was enthralled from the first notes of the band to the last at Auckland Performing Arts Academy's 'The Addams Family'.

Is there anything better than family and the anticipation of Christmas as December's end draws closer? That is the question we were delighted to answer at the opening night of 'A Christmas Story the Musical'. And it is a resounding 'No'. With all the negativity in the world at the moment it was lovely to have a night to sit back, relax and be transported to a time where childlike innocence and family values were paramount.

Want to see a heart-warming, unexpectedly clever spoof? Commissioned and developed by Silo Theatre with funding assistance of Creative New Zealand and Silo Theatre's Patron Donors, the 'Bollywood' spaghetti western is a superb mix of light and breezy, with an undercurrent of serious political and media commentary.

Self-appointed Captain Mainwaring, the pompous bank manager, is created with true authenticity by Bradley Pope in his first major role, and it is testament to his outstanding commitment that he cut off his thick head of hair to become Mainwaring's double.

What a concept - who does not remember the naked ambition, the competition, the betrayal, bribery and jealously in the Primary School classroom to secure a plumb role in the annual Christmas Nativity play! We can instantly relate and regress several, if not many decades.As Playwright Tim Firth says, this life lesson, experienced by all, prepares us for one of the toughest issues we will ever have to face as adults: 'The part you end up with in life may not be the part you deserve.'

For fans of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and period comedic farce, this play will entirely engage, delight, and entertain. Intelligently and creatively directed by Andrew Gordon, it provides everything you love about live theatre: extravagant characters with underlying motives, a mystery thriller with many characters who could 'have done it', superb comic timing, an eerie atmosphere conveyed through creative lighting and sound, authentic costumes, dramatic irony, and a clearly articulated Sherlock Holmes style.

Visually this show is spectacular thanks to super talented costume designers Helen Chessum. My particular favourites were Potiphar's scene with it's truly striking black and white theme and all the Pharoah scenes where the attention to detail ensured the wow factor- collars, wigs, sparkly shoes and even a fully bedazzled Elvis cape. Marty Wilson's attention to detail in his hair and make-up design was highlighted for me by the blue stripes in Pharoah's hair which matched his Egyptian eyeshadow.

Fuelled by the desire to assist three talented South Auckland teenagers to get to The Junior Theatre Festival in America in January 2020, Emma Bishop has come together with 3 equally talented performer friends to create 'Queen_St' - and audiences are loving what they do.

Top Quality Singing Series Hits Auckland for Pre Christmas Celebrations Consisting of four professional performers, Renee Maurice - New Zealand's Got Talent winner 2013; Emma Bishop - Producer, Artistic Director StageAntics Performing Arts, Junior Theatre NZ National Coordinator; Chantel Wilson - vocalist of 'The Cover-Up' Auckland's hottest covers band and Sharon Hewlett - one of Auckland's top award-winning musical theatre leading ladies these women perform with pure class.

Top Quality Singing Series Hits Auckland for Pre Christmas Celebrations Consisting of four professional performers, Renee Maurice - New Zealand's Got Talent winner 2013; Emma Bishop - Producer, Artistic Director StageAntics Performing Arts, Junior Theatre NZ National Coordinator; Chantel Wilson - vocalist of 'The Cover-Up' Auckland's hottest covers band and Sharon Hewlett - one of Auckland's top award-winning musical theatre leading ladies these women perform with pure class.

The essence of Green Day has not been shoved into the safe mode stage musical model; it breathes the rage, the confusion, the struggle and the senselessness of post 9/11 in an edgy package of fast paced grit wrapped up in the sensational music. Expect a confronting emotional roller coaster that infiltrates on a soul-level.

As a nation with an exceptionally high proportion of talented writers, performers and film creators let's illuminate what we do here, drop the tall poppy syndrome and celebrate our wonderful and unique Kiwi identity as the producers of creative artistry.

Playhouse Theatre Incorporated has assembled a cast of stellar performers for their production of 'Spamalot' which opened on Saturday night. The laughter and vibe of fun amongst the audience was a testament to the high energy and talent on the stage. All performers more-than-ably delivered the offbeat humour with the right ingredients of 'silly seriousness', sung extremely well, and dance like pros.

There are some incredibly talented children rising through the ranks in this production. It is hard to believe at times that the leads- Jarrod Shirtcliffe (Caractacus Potts) and Katierose Pemberton (Truly Scrumptious understudy) are indeed children! Jarrod plays a likeable and love-struck father and has a velvety tone in his voice far beyond his years. Katierose's Truly is a lilting soprano who carries herself with the grace the character demands- particularly in the song 'Doll on a Music Box'. You could have heard a pin drop. When Shirtcliffe and Pemberton combined their voices in this song it was a standout. I predict these two will be going far.

Nestled amongst a full gala audience, surrounded by pint-sized workmen and even a yellow digger crafted from boxes we eagerly awaited the opening of the show. How would they create diggers on the stage? Whales? Pools for hippopotami to bathe in? So many questions whirling in our heads after reading the beloved children's books written by New Zealanders Betty and Alan Gilderdale.

Agatha Christie fans remain loyal to her clever works. Dolphin Theatre opens on Friday 20th September with an offering to quench their thirst.

With this play and in the words of 'shining star' (he absolutely is!) Director Benjamin Henson  'we are treated to pure delight, laughing at the philosophical goings-on a created space within a stage within a theatre for a play that explores a play within a play'. Loved it all! Go see it!