Autumn at Circa Theatre

In Bed with Schoenberg

Eccentric Austrian composer meets live string quartet.

By Dave Armstrong

Directed by Conrad Newport

Musical Director: Donald Armstrong (Associate concertmaster NZSO)

Company: Armstrong Creative

Presented by arrangement by Playmarket

$30–$55

25 Feb–17 Mar

Starring Andrew Laing (Wonderful, Gifted), In Bed with Schoenberg is a delicious Viennese pastry filled with comedy, drama and exquisite live classical music by Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Mahler, Lehar, Schoenberg and more.

Stories About My Body

Tales of selling my toes in NYC, diary entries from ’98, birth, boobs and trying to like my chins.

By Morgana O’Reilly

$30–$40

15–25 Mar

The Recent winner of Most Outstanding Show at Whangarei Fringe 2022 and sold-out seasons in Auckland, Taranaki, Waiheke and Melbourne, Stories About My Body is coming to Wellington!

Warning: there will be nudity… and you will love it. “Hilarity to humanity, and back again” — Jess Karamjeet, Theatrescenes

Image by Andi Crown Photography

The King of Taking

Roll out the red carpet!

One is cordially invited to a brand-new show from the King of Comedy-Circus!

By Thom Monckton

Presented by Kallo Collective & A Mulled

Whine

$30–$55

21–25 Mar

The acclaimed physical comedy performer behind smash-hit The Artist is back. The King of Taking boasts circus, mime, and a whole lot of velvet. Performing in Wellington for one week only at Circa Theatre!

Image by Gemma Tweedie

Cringeworthy –Swinging in the '60s!

A psychedelic blast from the past!

By Andrea Sanders

Presented by BeatGirl Productions

$30–$55

1–29 Apr

Cringeworthy is back, transporting you to the GROOVIEST era of all, the swinging ’60s! Following on from Cringeworthy the ’70s and ’80s, this show is a FAR-OUT tribute to Kiwiana music and culture in the ’60s. “A swinging affair, equal parts fast paced and hilarious!”

Image by Stephen A'Court

Land of the Long Long Drive

A classic road story with a kiwi twist!

By Catriona Tipene and Ryan Cundy

Presented by Horse

With No Name

$15 General Admission; $50 Family Pass (4 tickets)

8–22 Apr

A tale for Kiwi kids, featuring iconic NZ creatures, landscapes and fresh waiata by NZ singer-songwriter Benny Tipene. Winner of the 3–8-year-old section of Playmarket’s Plays for the Young Competition, Land of the Long Long Drive brings you a laugh out loud, inspiring adventure of three unlikely heroes.

Image by Kate Anderson

Funny Gurl!

A tale about a Drag Queen’s hilarious life! From day dot to Drag Race and beyond!

By Anita Wigl’t

Presented by Wigl’it Productions

$30–$40 + $55 Postshow meet and greet tickets

12–22 Apr

Get to know Anita Wigl’it, star of Drag Race: Canada Vs. the World and RuPaul’s Drag Race Down Under S1 in this kooky, hilarious and tell-all one-woman show, Funny Gurl! This comedy show will give you belly laughs, will make you cry and will definitely make you Wigl’it!!

Image by Josh Sagar

Wheely Weird

With the struggle to recruit bus drivers continuing, could self-driving buses be the answer? One such bus has been trialled on Wellington’s waterfront, taking anxious passengers on a five-minute journey. Manufactured by Auckland tech company Ohmio, the buses follow a predetermined route via GPS. The test ride saw a couple of abrupt stops, including a sudden brake for a passing cyclist, at least proving the shuttle’s ability to detect obstacles. Waka Kotahi has said it is interested in the possibility of integrating the buses into the capital’s public transport system.

March Madness

The next few months are festival time. After a year’s hiatus, Newtown Festival, 5 March, and CubaDupa, 25–26 March, are both returning, taking over city streets with performance, and retail and food stalls. Homegrown, 18 March, will finally go ahead on the Wellington waterfront. Performers will include Shapeshifter, Drax Project, the Black Seeds, and Gin Wigmore.

The Great Shop Drop

After 17 years on Cuba Street Madame Fancy Pants has closed its doors. A purveyor of homewares, clothes and gifts, like many small business owners Claire Terry has decided to call time. Madame Fancy Pants’ Greytown shop will remain open. This is not the only beloved city store we are saying goodbye to, with Red Current, Havilah, Hurricane Denim, Miss Wong, Rex Royale, and VicBooks all announcing closures.

Singing The Praises

Our pals at Radio Active have released a seven-part online series on their website to celebrate the less conspicuous talent in Wellington’s music industry. Unsung Heroes features the likes of Apa Chappel who owns Creeps in Newtown; musician for Pōneke Classical Sessions Leah Thomas; and Joel Cosgrove from event organisers Eyegum Music Collective. You can catch taster clips on Capital mag’s Instagram.

What would Deirdre do?

Advice From Deirdre Tarrant

Not In Shape

My partner is constantly complaining about their health and would freely admit they’re not in the best shape. They’re desperate to get healthy but all good intentions – meal plans, walks, gym memberships – never eventuate. I’m healthy and active so it’s frustrating. Encouragement, inclusion or leading by example doesn’t seem to work. What can I do?

Gym fanatic, Lower Hutt

I assume you have voiced your concern that nothing seems to be working for your partner. Clearly they are not desperate enough. It probably doesn’t help that you have the moral high ground and are healthy as well. Have a talk about it, but really the ball is in their court. Maybe each of you should worry about yourself and relax a bit on the goals – go for walks, swims, bike rides, out dancing together, for enjoyment and you might get results as a spinoff? Good health!

Service Is Not Available

My local eatery has amazing food, but the service is shocking. Eye-contact is not on the menu, let alone a smile. I want to let the owner know the service is literally putting me off my food, but I don’t want the staff to know it was me that complained (call me gutless, but I’d be too embarrassed to show my face there again). Other than an anonymous online review, what would you suggest I do?

Smiler, Kapiti Coast

Hospitality is under huge pressure to deliver at the moment and staffing is a real challenge for all restaurants and bars. If the food is good that is a big plus. Maybe cut them some slack – be pleasant to the servers and give the restaurant a bit of time. You are entitled to comment and can say something to the staff or owners – mention both positives and negatives and keep supporting them. Don’t waste energy being embarrassed, enjoy the food!

Tough Love

I’ve been a stepmother to two beautiful kids for a couple of years. From day one, my now-husband was adamant that I stay out of disciplining the kids. I feel like that’s unfair – I pay half the rent, bills etc. When they annoy me or do something wrong, I feel I have the right to pipe up. He’s not open to a conversation, but I’m struggling to keep quiet. Help!

Seething, Karori

I think I am with you on this, but not because you pay half the rent. You are married now and a blended family and this means the rough with the smooth, good times and bad for all of you together. You have respected his request so far, so talk it through, but your relationship with them all must develop and be an open one. Do the children know that you are “following orders”? Clearly it’s a recipe for tension, and needs a review. Your opinions do count!

Still Sad

I lost my Mum at the beginning of the year. I have spent summer locked inside, reeling, while my friends holidayed. And still I’m struggling to do normal day-to-day things. How do I start taking back my life?

Trying to cope, Masterton

I am sorry, and I understand your hesitation to step out of your grief and memories. Time will help you, and she will be with you and telling you things as life progresses. Take small steps and get on with living. Your mother would want you to be happy, involved and busy. This is a new year and you have a new place in the family order, so step up at your own speed. I expected my mother to phone me for years and still wonder what she might advise or say nearly forty years after losing her. Go out and meet some of her friends for a coffee and chat. Share memories with your family. Keep your mother near.

If you’ve got a burning question for Deirdre, email angel@capitalmag.co.nz with Capital Angel in the subject line.

Open Daily 10am-4.30pm except Good Friday and Christmas Day wrm.org.nz Free admission

12 April–26 May 2023 Watt St,