2011 Auckland Arts Festival

Auckland Arts Festival transforms the city with a dazzling programme of more than 75 arts and entertainment events, packed into 19 exciting days.  Like no other event, Auckland Arts Festival showcases our community’s cultural richness and artistic achievement, and brings world class acts from around the globe to the region.   

The biennial festival is a feast of theatre, dance, music, cabaret, exhibitions, family events and more, featuring some of the finest local and international artists and companies.  Add an exciting line-up of music and cabaret centred on the Festival Garden, a strong education programme and an array of free events for the whole family, and there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Expect superb world premieres, cutting-edge artists, great classical works, a sophisticated late night scene, and compelling, inspiring and challenging work from New Zealand, the Asia Pacific region and beyond. 

auckland arts festival 2011 - brief event descriptions 

(Alphabetical order – see www.aucklandfestival.co.nz for more information)

Bright Light and Cloud Shadows: Sounds of Asia New Zealand String Quartet

The acclaimed quartet perform a sublime programme of works by five major Asian composers; Tan Dun, Toru Takemitsu, Gao Ping, Chinary Ung and Zhou Long.

Chinese Aura The New Purple Forbidden City Orchestra 

Classical and contemporary compositions feature in this fresh, accessible, and innovative concert from a virtuoso ensemble of Chinese musicians, playing traditional instruments.

The End Gare St Lazare Players

Exceptional Irish actor Conor Lovett performs a heartbreaking and hilarious adaptation of Beckett’s novella, The End.  This is Beckett’s wonderful work at its theatrical best.   (See also First Love)

Family Day

A special day of art, music and stories for the entire family, including a free Festival Garden Party with workshops, competitions and fun activities.

First Love Gare St Lazare Players

Acclaimed Irish actor Conor Lovett turns in a virtuoso performance in this supremely funny adaptation of Beckett’s novella, First Love, a love story for loners.       (See also The End)

Gaff Aff Zimmermann & de Perrot 

Physical theatre meets silent-movie-style comedy, with touches of circus and live DJing in this ingeniously funny snapshot of modern life.  An awe-inspiring, theatrical rollercoaster ride.

Gregory Maqoma – Beautiful Me (FranceDanse)

Leading African dancer Gregory Maqoma fuses contemporary choreography with Afro-fusion, Indian kathak and Michael Jackson in a vibrant performance to live music.  Extraordinary, life-affirming dance.

Handel with Care Lautten Compagney

World renowned Baroque Ensemble, Lautten Compagney, present an exquisite evening of works by Handel and Purcell, performed on period instruments.  A delightful and spirited concert.  (See also Timeless)

Havoc in the Garden Lennie James and Massive Company

Fresh, exciting theatre from Massive Company and UK playwright Lennie James (The Sons of Charlie Paora).  A compelling story of love, rage, secrets and family.

The Interminable Suicide of Gregory Church Daniel Kitson

Award-winning comedian and storyteller, Kitson presents a critically acclaimed comic monologue about a man whose suicide has been twenty years in the planning – inspired comedy.

Ihimaera Charlotte Yates Productions

A unique concert of Kiwi music: King Kapisi, SJD, Teremoana Rapley plus nine top recording artists perform songs with lyrics by literary icon Witi Ihimaera. 

Jack DeJohnette: Jack Johnson – Soundtrack to a Legend

Jazz legend Jack DeJohnette and band perform live to a one-night-only screening of the Oscar-nominated boxing documentary.  A brilliant re-versioning of Miles Davis’ original score.

John Psathas: New Zeibekiko: Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra

An exuberant homage to Greek music and culture from one of New Zealand’s most internationally acclaimed composers.  An exhilirating journey through ancient haunting melodies.

Live Live Cinema: Carnival of Souls Leon Radojkovic

Film-going like you’ve never experienced - a mash-up of cult film Carnival of Souls with live soundtrack and Radojkovic’s new live score.  Oliver Driver directs.

Loin… (Far…) Rachid Ouramdane (FranceDanse)

Using multi-media and a sophisticated sound-scape, this intense and poetically bold piece of dance theatre explores what it means to be far from home.

The Manganiyar Seduction Roysten Abel

Over 40 musicians from the deserts of India perform a dazzling concert of world music that has thrilled sell-out audiences from New York to Sydney. 

Martha Wainwright

The beguiling Canadian singer-songwriter makes a long-awaited New Zealand visit, performing songs from Edith Piaf, her family, and her own repertoire.  A one-night-only, Auckland exclusive.

May B Maguy Marin (FranceDanse)

The brilliant choreography of dance icon Maguy Marin shines in May B.   A rare opportunity to see one of the great 20th century dance-theatre works. 

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra Family Concert

Blast off into space with NZSO’s special Family Concert, a selection of magnificent title themes to great science fiction film including Star Wars and ET.   (See also A Symphonic Odyssey)

La Odisea Teatro de los Andes

South American magical-realism comes to life in a spectacular retelling of Homer’s Odyssey where Ulysses is a Bolivian migrant worker journeying home.  Must-see international theatre.

O Cambodia Four Composers respond to Cambodia

NZTrio and traditional Cambodian musicians perform compositions by Chinary Ung, Him Sophy, Gillian Whitehead and Jack Body in a concert inspired by Cambodia’s tumultuous history.

Paper Sky – A Love Story  Red Leap Theatre

The fairytale story of Henry, a loner, and the mysterious Lumina, unfolds in this magical new theatre work from creators of 2009 hit The Arrival.

Passing Wind

From carrots to garden hoses, musical magician Linsey Pollak transforms everyday objects into a dazzling array of instruments.  A fantastic concert for the whole family!

Paul Kelly A-Z

The folk-rock legend performs 100 of his best-loved songs over four nights – in alphabetical order – punctuated with stories of life and music.  Unplugged and unforgettable.

Piano Recital: Xiang Zou

Virtuoso pianist Xiang Zou performs works by Schubert, Litzt, Granados, Messiaen and Rzewski.  An intimate and moving concert from one of China’s leading musicians.

rapt Douglas Wright Dance

A company of New Zealand’s most accomplished dancers perform a long-awaited new work from iconic choreographer, Douglas Wright.   An unforgettable work of beauty and power.

The Show Must Go On Jerome Bel (FranceDanse)

20 New Zealand performers star in a playful, provocative dance-theatre work from the iconic Jerome Bell Company, performed to an ironic score of pop hits.

Silver Stars Brokentalkers

Moving musical theatre performed by an all-male chorus, Silver Stars chronicles the true experiences of gay Irishmen in their often hostile motherland.  Charming and heart-warming.

Smoke & Mirrors Sydney Festival & Spiegeltent International

From the creators of La Clique, a dangerously seductive mix of burlesque, carnival, and wicked live music – starring iOTA and staged in the glamorous Spiegeltent.

Sound of the Ocean U Theatre of Taiwan

Think Taiko drumming meets tai-chi!  Masters of their art form, U Theatre of Taiwan weaves percussion, martial arts and dance into an exhilarating musical spectacular.

A Symphonic Odyssey: New Zealand Symphony Orchestra

The NZSO pulls out all the stops for this extraordinary programme of orchestral greats and modern masterpieces including music from 2001: A Space Odyssey.  (See also NZSO Family Concert)

Spirit of India 2011:  Shehnai and Flute Rajendra Prasanna

Playful vivacity and sweet melodiousness characterise this concert of Indian classical music performed by one of the country’s finest musicians, a contemporary of Ravi Shankar. 

Timeless Lautten Compagney

A superb, Echo Klassik Award-winning, concert of Venetian baroque music and Philip Glass compositions, performed by one of the world’s most outstanding period instrument ensembles.  (See also Handel with Care)

Titeres Porno Adentro Producciones

Direct from Columbia, a spicy late-night show for the adventurous Festival-goer that combines humour, art and sexuality with a cast of very rude puppets!

Vietnamese Water Puppets Thang Long Troupe

A fantastic cultural experience for all ages in a magical outdoor setting!  Authentic stories of village life featuring fishermen, farmers, dragons and a Vietnamese orchestra.

White Night Various

For one magical evening, Auckland’s museums and galleries stay open until midnight, featuring special exhibitions, activities and performances.  An exciting event for the whole family.

Who Are You? UrbanYOUTHMovement

Black Grace presents a fresh, physically-charged work about the hopes, fears and dreams of young Kiwis.  Neil Ieremia choreographs a stunning company of emerging dancers.

Xerxes NBR New Zealand Opera

Handel’s most popular opera is a timeless tale of love, rivalry and courage, performed by a stellar cast, accompanied by world-renowned baroque orchestra, Lautten Compagney.  

The Ziggy Stardust meets Tiny Tim Songbook Taylor Mac

New York cabaret sensation, Mac, in a fabulous, outrageous performance that mixes up the entire Ziggy Stardust album with the ukulele hits of Tiny Tim.

See www.aucklandfestival.co.nz for more information