Theatre – The Speakeasy

What’s On: Auckland amping up for a record-breaking summer

October 21, 2019

Culture, Entertainment, Fashion, Food, Lifestyle, Night Life, Theatre

It's looking like a big summer for Auckland, with a massive number of events scheduled over the next few months. Concerts and major events in venues such as Mt Smart and Western Springs stadiums and The ...

In Review: Stir Fried XI

The Speakeasy

September 28, 2019

Entertainment, Theatre

Sacriligious encounters with the devil, angels, and Cupid. Musical numbers about Nike’s sweatshop labour. The odd subtle dig at Auckland house prices, Hell Pizza, and Lime Scooters.

We Will Rock You: The Musical – Interview with David Mackie

Shawn Moodie

August 20, 2019

Comedy, Culture, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music, rock, Spotlight, Theatre

Following hot on the heels of the release of the internationally loved Queen biopic ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’, the smash-hit West End musical ‘We Will Rock You’ returns to Auckland for a strictly limited season this...

In Review: PINAY

Grace Hood-Edwards

August 19, 2019

Theatre

PINAY, the latest venture of Proudly Asian Theatre (PAT), has hit the Basement. The first NZ-Filipino play to be written and presented in Aotearoa, PINAY has been hotly anticipated throughout its development t...

In Review: I am Rachel Chu

Kirsten Marsh

August 7, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, Theatre

After a wildly successful run at Auckland Fringe this year, and awards to show for it, I am Rachel Chu has returned to the Basement Theatre to give us another hit of cultural commentary and raucous hilarity. ...

ANNOUNCEMENT: PINAY, The Very First Filipino-NZ Play

The Speakeasy

July 25, 2019

Theatre

2019 Auckland Theatre Awards Outstanding Newcomer winner and all round firecracker, Marianne Infante makes her professional writing debut with PINAY.PINAY merges Marianne’s semi-autobiographical experiences of...

10

In Review: ONCE The Musical

Shawn Moodie

July 2, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Music, Spotlight, Theatre

Musicals these days tend to batter you into submission. Many rely on orchestral bombardment, saccharin smiles, and jazz hands in an attempt to win you over. I say that as unashamed fan of the genre (I took a 2...

In Review: The Wolves

Shawn Moodie

June 24, 2019

Comedy, Culture, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Spotlight, Theatre

There have been very few plays (or films for that matter) that have offered an examination of young women that is as refreshing or eloquent as Sarah DeLappe’s The Wolves. This is not a traditional play ab...

In Review: A Fine Balance

The Speakeasy

June 17, 2019

Culture, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Theatre

Reviewed by Jesse Knight A Fine Balance sees two giants of the Auckland theatre scene - Auckland Theatre Company and Prayas Theatre (New Zealand's biggest South Asian theatre company) - joining forces to ad...

The 2019 Pacific Dance Festival is finally here!

Shawn Moodie

June 7, 2019

Culture, Entertainment, Film, Lifestyle, Spotlight, Theatre

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Read the full programme below. Acclaimed and accomplished Pacific dance artists take the floor in the fourth rendition of the Pacific Dance Festival bringing a moving feast of entertaining and thought-provo...

In Review: An Iliad

The Speakeasy

May 31, 2019

Culture, Spotlight, Theatre

Words by Gayatri Adi Homer’s ‘An Iliad’, translated by Robert Fagles, was brought to life by Auckland Live and Artsense Production once again in 2019 at the Herald Theatre. A two man grand cl...

Better late than never – The Pacific Dance Festival gets a reboot

Shawn Moodie

May 25, 2019

Culture, Entertainment, Film, Lifestyle, Theatre

In the wake of the cancellation of the Pasifika Festival and the final day of Polyfestfollowing the Christchurch terrorist attack, the Pacific Dance Festival is proud to offer supporte...

New Zealand International Comedy Festival In Review: Snort With Friends

Kirsten Marsh

May 4, 2019

Comedy, Entertainment, NZ International Comedy Festival, Theatre

As a long time fan of Snort, I was excited to head down to their opening night fundraiser show at the Rangitira, Q Theatre, on Friday. This is the biggest show ever in the history of Snort, featuring special g...

8.8

In Review: HeadSand

Johan Chang

April 1, 2019

Culture, Theatre

There's a certain unique charm in going to the theatre blind. Without any foreknowledge of the actors, a synopsis, or even the vaguest understandings of what the hell is going on, it keeps you on edge, ready t...

7.5

In Review: Monster Mash at Q

Johan Chang

November 20, 2018

Culture, Theatre

Here’s the thing about saying yes to something spur of the moment: do it, and it might just end up being one of the weirdest things you experience. Which is a bit of understatement for the titular Monster Ma...

In Review: Medusa at Loft at Q

The Speakeasy

October 27, 2018

Entertainment, Theatre

Words Alysha Jensen photos Julie Zhu Medusa will attack your senses, your emotions and all views you have on the power structures around us. Be prepared to be challenged on how you think theatre should be st...

The Lap: Days 3, 4, 5, 6: Airlie Beach

Lincoln Vaz

October 6, 2018

Lifestyle, Theatre, Travel

This entry has less to do with motorcycling, and more to do with me keeping myself occupied for the last 4 days. I think it's worth writing about, so I hope it's worth reading about. Tuesday (Day 3) morning...

Interview: Malia Johnston discusses directing WOW®

Jenanne Burnell

September 19, 2018

Culture, Entertainment, Fashion, Lifestyle, Theatre

With less than two weeks till this year’s World of WearableArt® season begins, show director Malia Johnston treats us to an inside scoop of what to expect in this year’s show, as well as sharing some particular...

9.3

In Review: Orientation

Johan Chang

September 14, 2018

Culture, Entertainment, Theatre

There’s something legitimately discomforting with the first half of Orientation. It’s certainly not bad theatre; the music is sound, the lighting moody, and the acting … well, the acting. Maybe … no. The act...

In Review: Me and my sister tell each other everything

The Speakeasy

September 12, 2018

Comedy, Culture, Entertainment, Lifestyle, Theatre

Review by Laura Roberts I was initially hesitant about going along to a show called “Me and my sister tell each other everything” considering that I don’t have a sister or even a sibling that communicate with ...

Interview: WOW® Music Director discusses colab with 7 kiwi composers

Jenanne Burnell

September 7, 2018

Culture, Entertainment, Fashion, Lifestyle, Music, Theatre

With the 2018 World of WearableArt® season fast approaching, the show’s Music Director Paul McLaney took the time to discuss why this year will be particularly special. Those who have not yet experienced WOW® m...