Theatreview Weekly: 28/10/10

The following reviews have been added to theatreview.org.nz in the last week.

Theatreview is the New Zealand Performing Arts Review & Directory.

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Baycourt Theatre, Tauranga - CHOPPER'S HARDEN THE F#CK UP, NEW ZEALAND!: His eye for detail and lateral thinking makes him very funny
- reviewed by Vanessa Byrnes

"Go South, young man, there's money in them there audiences!" could well be the catchcry for Heath Franklin's show currently touring NZ. Baycourt Theatre (over 500 seats) was packed to the gunnels in Tauranga on a Wednesday night.

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Te Karanga Gallery, Auckland - IDIOTS: BACK 2 SCHOOL: Many brilliant comic moments
- reviewed by Sian Robertson

... a series of interrelated vignettes about high school life, complete with callous break-ups, awkward flirtations, ghosts of the past, student-teacher romance, trying to get high, a substitute teacher, sporting traditions, petty revenge and... a text messaging seagull.

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - CONARTISTS: AUSTEN FOUND - THE UNDISCOVERED MUSICALS OF JANE AUSTEN: Improv treatment real Austentatious delicacy
- reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton

Although Jane Austen's stories are deeply embedded in a particular time and place they have an elastic quality that lets them be all things to all people.

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TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland - A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE: Greek tragedy alive in Little Italy
- reviewed by Janet McAllister

Arthur Miller plays are like good casseroles; they're conventional and a bit old-fashioned, but satisfying and full of meat to chew on.

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Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, The Edge, Auckland - CONARTISTS: AUSTEN FOUND - THE UNDISCOVERED MUSICALS OF JANE AUSTEN: A veritable abundance of austentatious authenticity
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

Indeed, the ensuing on-the-spot manufacture and performance of a suddenly invented long lost manuscript of Jane Austen spontaneously named Greed and Generosity by means of lottery and audience nomination seems as familiar as Dickens and Twain.

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TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland - A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE: Inspiring view from the auditorium
- reviewed by Caoilinn Hughes

Peach Theatre Company presents Author Miller's iconic play A View From The Bridge with a star-studded New Zealand cast at Auckland's TAPAC Theatre. Despite the play having become a hackneyed high school text book in many countries around the world, Peach Theatre Company truly makes it their own in this inspired and purposeful production.

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Te Whaea, Wellington - WILD CABBAGE: Darkly whimsical play has stood the test of time
- reviewed by John Smythe

The comedic action kicks off with Mum's waters breaking and the Freak (Catherine Waller) being born but she is steadfastly ignored as the daily routine - sleep, wake, wash, cook, eat ("Bugger off!"), work or whatever, eat, burp, bedtime ("Move!"). - is repeated, over and over ...

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Te Whaea, Wellington - THE POHUTUKAWA TREE: Deep exploration and profound engagement not achieved
- reviewed by John Smythe

... This Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School graduation production, directed by Rachel House, is therefore very welcome, despite the necessary casting of young actors in mature roles. What is less forgivable - to get this off my chest upfront - is the casting of two actors in Kiwi male roles who are not capable of playing their roles with a credible NZ accent ...