BATS Theatre
January 21-31 | Reviewed by Helen Sims

The Altruists throws an unlikely group together – a social worker, a rent boy, a ‘for rent’ activist, a soap opera actress and a lesbian activist who is organisationally challenged. A contrived and convoluted plot throws them together to resolve a moral conundrum. Will the more altruistically inclined be seduced into selfishness? What is more altruistic – the good of the greater group or the protection of the vulnerable individual? The play reveals that the seemingly altruistic can be just as self serving as the obviously selfish.

BATS Theatre
January 10-17 | Reviewed by Melody Nixon

Becoming the Courtesan is a feisty piece from drama school duo Jamie Burgess and Karen Anslow. The singing pair have poured immense amounts of time and effort into this comedic tragedy, which began as a NASDA (Christchurch’s National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts) music assignment ten years ago. Anslow’s self-constructed role is daring, Burgess’ convincingly maudlin, and the play is held together with a good dose of wit as well as some gorgeous singing and all round talent.