Circa Theatre
Nov 17-Dec 23; Jan 2-12 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

I HAVE to declare from the start, I’m not a huge fan of pantomimes. They combine my dislike of musical theatre, children and audience interaction in a nightmarish fashion (although I have to admit to liking Troy immensely). I really disliked last year’s Aladdin and only managed to sit through 15 minutes of Cinderella the year before. I had groaned both in public and private about Jack and the Beanstalk, expecting another addition to what is becoming a painful yearly practice at Circa. However, I actually quite enjoyed this one – oh no I didn’t! Well yes, I did!

Chapman Tripp have recently announced the nominees for the 16th annual Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards. The nominees this year span a range of styles and genre, and include a large New Zealand presence with nominations for Taki Rua’s Strange Resting Places, Dean Parker’s The Hollow Men, SEEyD’s Turbine and Theatre Militia’s A Bright Room Called Day each receiving multiple nominations.

Circa Theatre
November 3-17 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

VIEWING The Hollow Men in its return season at Circa Theatre marked the second time I’ve seen this fast paced, slick play. The Circa production was marginally better than the one I saw at Centrepoint in Palmerston North, as issues of sound level had been addressed and the Wellington audience was generally more receptive to the subject matter. As much as I admire the technical elements and the deft performances of this production, and think it a better than expected job of dramatising Hager’s book, I still left wondering whether this play really shed much more light or prompted more thought on Don Brash’s election campaign in 2005, and the inherent problems of party politics that remained after his defeat and deposal.

Herald Theatre (Contains Spoilers)
November 3-10 | Reviewed by Renee Liang

LIKE THE recent My Name is Gary Cooper by Victor Rodger, which is a very different play in terms of style, Lena turns the stereotype of sleepy Pacific island idyll violently on its head – dealing with jealousy, murder, revenge, family rivalry and many other harrowing themes within its one and a half hour running time.

The Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards, dubbed the “Oscars” of Wellington theatre, are set to take place on Sunday December 2, 2007 at the Duxton Hotel, Wellington. With over 400 guests and 20 awards, the ceremony is the social highlight of the theatre calendar, and promises to be the biggest celebration of Wellington’s diverse and unique creative theatre talent.

Newtown Community & Cultural Centre
Oct 30-Nov 3 | Reviewed by Kate Blackhurst

Mind Out of Time is an hour at the theatre unlike any other. The four short but not so sweet works are so varied and engrossing that they left my mind reeling as I emerged blinking back into the real world as though recovering from a crazy dream.

Circa Theatre
Oct 13-Nov 10 | Reviewed by Simon Sweetman

Home Land opens with the fall of the main character. Southland-based ex-farmer Ken dodders in to the lounge with his walking frame and topples over. He is in his house alone. There is silence punctuated by wheezing, spluttering and puffing as Ken tries to get back to his feet. It is hard to watch – an indication that things could get just a little overwrought. From here we learn that Ken is going to a home – his family believes it is time for him to be cared for, rather than to live alone. This brings with it a range of emotions and the interplaying of different filial dynamics.