LIVE October – December 2012

october – december 2012

MARY POPPINS The magical hit lands in Auckland Ballerina

Gillian Murphy takes the lead

Six60’s

Orchestral extravaganza

The Bootleg Beatles

love you, yeah, yeah, yeah

A SMASH-HIT ON BROADWAY AND THE WEST END

A new play by Richard Bean based on The Servant of Two Masters by Carlo Goldoni, with songs by Grant Olding

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14 - 23 March 2013

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live / october – december 2012

LIVE SHORTS If you’re in the city often, you might have noticed that the doors of Stark’s Café and Bar have been closed while it underwent a minimakeover. As we prepare to go to print, the new team is putting the finishing touches on a fresh daytime and showtime offering, and soon you’ll be able to say “I’ll meet you at Stark’s!”

The SIGNAL programme has received a boost just a year after it was implemented. The programme – which provides sign language interpreted performances for deaf and audiodescribed performances for blind and vision-impaired audiences – has been recognised by Arts Access Aotearoa at the annual Big ‘A’ Awards on 18 July with a Highly Commended Certificate.

The achievement was further acknowledged in Parliament in August with a Notice of Motion lodged by Charles Chauvel MP.

Hit Picks Enter the competitions at www.the-edge.co.nz/comps We asked and they answered – read our Q&As at www.the-edge.co.nz/hitpicks Watch our latest videos at www.youtube.com/ theedgeonlinechannel Find out about upcoming shows for all-ages www.familyevents.co.nz

Billy Bragg 12 October | Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo 27 October | ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

In other award news, the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra has been honoured by the Human Rights Commission, receiving a New Zealand Diversity Award for its “innovative cross-cultural programme, and particularly its extensive engagement with diverse young people in South Auckland” including Remix the Orchestra and Sistema Aotearoa.

Congratulations to the APO! Visitors to ASB Theatre this year will have noticed a dramatic change to the venue, particularly at the stalls (downstairs) level.

Stage 2 of the refurbishment will be undertaken during the quiet summer months, focusing on the circle level, and is to include new seating, flooring, ceiling and wall linings. On completion, ASB Theatre will be transformed into New Zealand’s premier lyric theatre.

The Listies Do Compooters 4 – 9 October | Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Vienna Boys Choir 6 October | Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Editor Josie Campbell – media@the-edge.co.nz Advertising & listing enquiries Jane Pickering – live@the-edge.co.nz Designer Angela Lynskey

Enter the competitions at www.the-edge.co.nz/comps

Cover credit Photo of Rachel Wallace as Mary Poppins

by Ryan Miller/Capture Imaging. ©Disney/CML

Patycja Szwarczynska

Theatre Marketing Manager Angela Gourdie

Mahler 7 17 November | Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

We asked and they answered – read our Q&As at www.the-edge.co.nz/hitpicks Watch our latest videos at www.youtube.com/ theedgeonlinechannel Find out about upcoming all ages shows www.familyevents.co.nz

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live / october – december 2012

That Disney Magic “Anything can happen if you let it!” It’s a famous Mary Poppins quip, and a maxim fully embraced by set and costume designer Bob Crowley when he was handed the challenge of bringing the enchanted – and enchanting – story to the stage. By Sarah Illingworth.

The Irishman decided to diverge from his typically minimalist aesthetic when asked to work on the theatre version of MARY POPPINS, although the process did start simply. Taking his cue from the pen and ink illustrations in Poppins author P.L. Travers’ original books, Bob started drafting the set by sketching his own interpretation of the tales, and that storybook feel is central to the look of the finished design.

“I started by drawing the park, and the house and Cherry Tree Lane,” he recounts, adding that “you still see everything drawn; all that was drawn by my hand. It became a very personal version of the film.”

It’s a connection that actually goes way back.

Bob recalls being so enamoured by Disney’s classic film version of Mary Poppins when it was first released that he saw it three times in one week.

“I was very nervous taking on an iconic show like that, because [the film] was so groundbreaking in its time. It had a huge effect on me watching it – in fact, it may well have influenced me in my chosen career, because I found it so inspiring visually.”

That said, he’s quick to add that “the stage show isn’t the film. It honours the film, but it’s not a reproduction of the film. There’s new material, new storylines, new characters, new songs even – but it’s still recognisably MARY POPPINS.” It certainly is MARY POPPINS from head to toe, and it rivals the much-loved Julie Andrews version in its telling. Drawing inspiration from the original books and his childhood enthusiasm for the film, Bob hand-drew every character, costume and set piece before they were brought to life.

No small task, but to him drawing is a timesaver, a way to communicate, which leaves little room for confusion.

“Until you show a person a drawing of something it doesn’t exist,” he says.

“Sometimes it’s much easier to draw it than talk about it. We drew cave drawings before we wrote notes to each other as cavemen – it’s very basic; it’s very, very human.”

However, ensuring the show captured the magical whimsy of Bob’s original drawings, and the story itself, was no walk in the park.

“Days, hours, weeks went into all that stuff.

To make it seem easy, an immense amount

of work goes into it. And then you’ve got to make it look like it’s really simple; that’s the whole art of it. If it looks difficult, it isn’t working.

“Everybody has to be on the same page, otherwise it’s total chaos. You all have to be aiming at the same target, trying to achieve the same results.”

Saying the house proved his biggest design challenge, Bob describes it as “another character in the whole show. It’s the house that they’re going to lose if [Mr Banks] can’t pay the mortgage, when he loses his job. In order to feel that they’ve got something to lose, you’ve got to see physically what they could lose.”

When the show’s runaway success begged the creation of a touring version, and the need for a set that could be set up, packed down and shipped with minimal fuss – but retain all the magic of the original version – Bob and his crew returned to the drawing board.

“We went back to basics and we looked at everything for the tour. The show [that’s coming to New Zealand], it’s exactly true to the spirit of the original show, moment for moment for moment. It’s just more light on its feet. And actually, I love what we did. The lighter it got, the less real it got, I loved it.”

Bob Crowley

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five-time Tony award-winning set designer whose humble persona is refreshingly at odds with his level of professional success, Bob has authored the set design of numerous stage shows, including Aida, The History Boys and Tarzan, along with many a Royal Shakespeare Company performance.

the touring version may be stripped back, but it certainly doesn’t appear to be missing anything. Without giving too much away, highlights include Step in Time, in which the affable Bert (played by acclaimed Australian choreographer and performer Matt Lee) leads his fellow chimney sweeps in a Stomp-tastic jaunt across the rooftops of London, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious – which will leave you breathless – and the perfectly executed slapstick of A Spoonful of Sugar.

“The songs, for god’s sake, are amazing,” confirms Bob. “One after another keeps coming and pressing your buttons... my favourite song in the whole show is Let’s Go Fly a Kite; I think that’s a really, really gorgeous song. I love that moment.”

“It’s just gorgeous to see the reaction in the audience,” he concludes, remarking on the huge numbers that have embraced the show worldwide. “Wherever it goes, it just has the same effect. They’re enchanted by it, you know.”

MARY POPPINS THE SUPERCALIFRAGILISTIC MUSICAL From 13 October | The Civic

Photo: Deen van Meer ©Disney/CML

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live / october – december 2012

Meet our Mary Poppins When MARY POPPINS arrives at The Civic, the Australian cast will be joined by New Yorker Rachel Wallace as the original Supernanny. Josie Campbell spoke to Rachel just after the show opened at Los Angeles’ Ahmanson Theatre in August.

“I was still doing this other show at nights and I went in singing Practically Perfect covered in fake tattoos and bright red hair.

When I got the call from my agent the next day saying ‘They loved you, you got a callback,’ I thought ‘This must be a really talented creative team if they can see past this exterior and be interested. These are pretty cool people and I want to work with them.’”

The actress has gone on to star in the touring show; Los Angeles is her 35th North American city. She only recently had the chance to meet Richard Sherman, one half of the famed Sherman Brothers who wrote the score for the Mary Poppins movie and many other iconic songs including It’s a Small World (After All). She describes the experience as surreal.

Bob Crowley

“He’s probably the most gracious human being I’ve ever met. This man is responsible, with his brother, for writing over half the music I grew up singing and to be in a room with him, he makes you feel like you’re the important person. It’s the strangest thing... you’re like, no – wait a minute – you’re a legend and I’m just a little girl who’s awestruck. Getting to pick his brain was a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

We talk about ‘Disney magic’ and I say that we’re doing a story with Bob Crowley about the design of the show. “If you talk to him, tell him I’m in awe of his work,” Rachel says.

“Going in to see the show for the first time after I’d been cast, I was honestly a little skeptical – how are they going to bring the magic from the film to the stage? I sat in the audience and watched Practically Perfect and I was just amazed at what they were able to do – the ingenuity behind how the scene works and how seamlessly everything flows.

“There are a couple of moments, like pulling the plant out of the carpetbag, which is one of the first things that happens – I literally don’t understand that and I love how my dad or my brother or my boyfriend say ‘I couldn’t figure that part out – how did that happen?’ The flying is pretty cool, and the thing that I get the most feedback on.”

Photo: Joan Marcus

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roadwayworld.com calls Rachel Wallace “the very portrait of the Mary Poppins that resides in your mind’s eye” but, as she tells me over the phone, she looked quite the opposite when she auditioned for the show.

Flying isn’t the only ‘skill’ Rachel had to develop for her role as Mary. “She’s described as gliding everywhere, alright – time to go learn how to glide.”

“We have an incredible team that teaches the choreography, but you’re encouraged to bring a lot of your own quality to the character. so for me, it was ‘I think Mary would use her hands this way; I think Mary would spin this way’ and it just builds a lot with the creatives in the room.”

I sign off our phone call saying that we’re excited about the show arriving in Auckland, and it’s clear that the excitement is returned.

“The pictures I’ve seen of the theatre just look absolutely stunning – I can’t wait.”

Giselle THE TELSTRACLEAR SEASON OF

A new staging of this romantic classic is co-produced by Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg, internationally acclaimed principal dancer of London’s Royal Ballet.

Gillian Murphy, RNZB Principal Guest Artist, dances Giselle, one of the most dramatic and demanding roles in the classical ballet repertoire.

29 NOV – 2 DEC AUCKLAND ASB Theatre, The EDGE Book at The EDGE (09) 357 3355 / BuyTickets.co.nz Adult Tickets from $37 Children Tickets from $25 Service Fees Apply

For more information and bookings

nzballet.org.nz

SEASON SPONSOR

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live / october – december 2012

Star attraction Softly spoken, mannered and measured, flame-haired Gillian Murphy is the quintessential ballerina but to achieve all that the 33 year old has takes not just talent but focus and determination. Dionne Christian talks to Gillian about dancing the lead role in Giselle and being a role model for other young dancers.

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t made headlines both here and in New York: ballet superstar Ethan Stiefel was coming from New York, and the American Ballet Theatre, to become artistic director of the Royal New Zealand Ballet. Not only that, Ethan was bringing his American fiancée Gillian Murphy, one of the world’s top ballerinas, with him to be Principal Guest Artist with the company. The Dominion Post described the couple as “American ballet rock stars, royalty and revered”; similarly The New Zealand Herald said they were American ballet’s Royal couple.

Now they are about to show New Zealand audiences their combined talents: Ethan is producing and choreographing the RNZB’s production of Giselle; Gillian has the lead role.

It is the one classical ballet role she has yet to dance in a career spanning three decades and while she has appeared in Giselle as Myrta, Queen of the Wilis, Gillian says the role of Giselle is special.

“It’s really exciting for me. It’s such a beautiful classical ballet that touches on universal themes and takes the audience on an emotional journey. It is a challenge in terms of the dancing, but also in making Giselle come to life and conveying all the different emotions she goes through.”

With a wealth of experience, Gillian is well versed in taking on various characters and imbuing them with complexity and individuality so they make an impression in the hearts and minds of audiences. She says the key is to immerse oneself in each role, the music and the dances and to search for the “driving forces” behind a character’s steps. While it is invaluable to see more experienced ballerinas perform these roles, she believes it is equally important that each dancer brings their own signature to each character.

“I’ve seen many great ballerinas dance Giselle and I have absolutely loved their performances, but I think the character is very passionate and authentic so it has to be real and true for the person who is performing it. If you try to contrive emotions or put on affectations, I don’t think it serves the ballet or, indeed, your own performance.”

She shares Ethan’s vision for the production, which brings a new take to the age-old love story of the beautiful peasant girl Giselle who falls in love with Albrecht. He, in turn, conceals his true identity to win her, but the discovery of Albrecht’s deception causes Giselle to die of a broken heart.

Albrecht is thrown into the hands of malevolent evil spirits, the Wilis, but Giselle returns as a ghost to protect him. Ethan said earlier this year that he was interested in exploring the psychology of the characters.

Gillian says she and Ethan are ‘on the same page’ as far as the production is concerned and they have worked together so often they are adept at separating their personal and professional lives. Heated arguments in the rehearsal room are, therefore, very unlikely.

This brings conversation to the wider issue of her role as Principal Guest Artist at the RNZB. At just 33 years old, Gillian is one of the oldest dancers with the company. She doesn’t shy away from the fact that this means being a leader, stepping up and bringing something extra to each performance as well as, off-stage, mentoring younger dancers by sharing what she has learned.

And make no mistake, she may be only 33 but has experience that belies her years. Born in England, she began ballet training when she was just three years old and living in Belgium with her family. When they upped sticks and moved to South Carolina, USA, the young dancer continued ballet and, apart from a brief stint when she was eight and wanted to be a marathon runner, doctor and ballerina all at the same time, there has never been a time when Gillian imagined doing anything other than ballet.

Gillian’s parents, Paul and Carol, allowed her to leave home, aged just 14, and to receive her high-school education and dance training at the University of North Carolina School of the Arts. She admits that juggling school with her alreadyextensive ballet commitments was becoming a difficult routine for all to follow in her family – she is one of four children. So, would she have let her 14-year-old daughter leave home to study?

Photo: Ross Brown

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“I’ve seen many great ballerinas dance Giselle and I have absolutely loved the performances, but I think the character is very passionate and authentic so it has to be real and true for the person who is performing it.”

“If she was as self-possessed and focused as I was, then why not?”

Three years later, she took her first bite of the Big Apple, moving to New York to join the acclaimed American Ballet Theatre. She was promoted to soloist in 1999 then to principal dancer in 2002; the same year as she was named by Dance Magazine as one of the 25 dancers to watch. She has also appeared with the Kirov Ballet, the Royal Swedish Ballet, the Staatsballett Berlin and the Kiev Ballet – among others.

In the last decade, Gillian’s repertoire has grown to include leading roles in the world’s most famous ballets such as Cinderella in Cinderella, the Sugar Plum Fairy and Clara in The Nutcracker, Desdemona in Othello, Juliet in Romeo and Juliet, Princess Aurora in The Sleeping Beauty and Odette and Odile in Swan Lake. She’s also performed leading roles in newer creations; indeed Auckland audiences first saw Gillian in action with the RNZB when she appeared earlier this year in NYC – Three Short Ballets from the Big Apple, dancing in George Balanchine’s tribute to George Gershwin in the piece Who Cares and in Benjamin Millepied’s 28 Variations on a Theme by Paganini.

Given that, it’s perhaps easier to understand why moving from New York to Wellington, New Zealand, wasn’t as daunting as it may have been. She says she likes to travel and one of the attractions of the RNZB is that it tours the country – meaning she’ll get to see heartland New Zealand as well as the urban centres.

“This is the right place to be at the moment and I feel great being here. I really like the calm but there’s still a lot going on, a lot of creative energy and cool people.”

The Telstraclear Season of Giselle 29 November – 2 December ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

live / october – december 2012

Six60 Celebrate

“It all started as five mates simply doing what we love,” says the 25-year-old who, together with band members Eli Paewai, Ji Fraser, Marlon Gerbes and Chris Mac, has smashed the iTunes record for highest first-week sales, had triple-platinum album sales and racked up platinum and double-platinum singles.

Six60’s soul, rock, dubstep, drum and bassinfused sound first came together in a grungy Dunedin student flat – the infamous 660 Castle Street – back in 2006. “A bit of jamming between pub stops” is how Matiu describes those humble beginnings. From that point, there were concerts for family and friends, weddings and parties, and then pressure to produce an album. Six60’s eponymous debut album was released last year, debuting at number one and knocking English singersongwriter Adele off her 26- week run at the top of the New Zealand charts.

Concerts here at home and in Australia have been followed by the band’s first tour of the United Kingdom and Europe, and they’ll be fresh back from an American tour when they turn out to thrill Auckland with their November performance, unplugged, live and massive.

Six60 has been described as dynamic, versatile and unexpected, and the Auckland show, which marks the first anniversary of the release of their debut album, will be all of this and more.

The three-part extravaganza will see the band team up with the prestigious Auckland

Photo: Klaus Carson

Five boys from Dunedin who have been staking their claim as New Zealand’s hottest new property are set to electrify ASB Theatre in November.

Kerry Engelbrecht talks to lead singer Matiu Walters about Six60’s remarkable, rather unexpected, journey.

Philharmonia Orchestra for one segment, an exciting step for the boys from Dunedin.

“We are always trying to push the bar and progress,” says Matiu. “It’s every musician’s dream to have your songs written as an orchestral score and to play with an orchestra,” he says, adding that it will also be the first time Six60 has played at a seated venue.

“We can’t wait,” says Matiu. “It’s going to be a really special show.”

This one-off performance will also see several numbers being stripped right back and played in their purest form. “It’s a chance for us to express our art form in the way we intended it to be heard,” says Matiu, revealing that audiences will be treated to some beautiful guitar work.

And it’ll all be topped off by a segment that will electrify the audience with the usual, massive Six60 energy.

In a way, this show will epitomise the true spirit of Six60. While the band is

becoming known for its high-energy live performances (check out the dressing room photo on their website – that’s a lot of red bull in there!) and there’s no doubt these guys are having an enormous amount of fun performing, essentially it’s all still about the art of music.

“We have no desire to be a well-oiled machine,” explains Matiu. “With music anything can happen. We want it to be honest, natural and effortless; we want to create music that makes you feel something.”

You only have to take a peek at their Facebook page – where more than 126,000 avid fans ‘like’ their work – to see that they are obviously touching a chord. Something they seem to have been naturally doing since the very beginning. Matiu laughs when he recalls the band’s first show away from Dunedin, at The Owl’s Nest in Christchurch.

He didn’t realise that anyone outside of Dunedin knew who they were, but “they were, even singing the words!”

The boys from Dunedin have certainly graduated from the living-room concerts of their student flat and they are writing themselves into the history books of New Zealand music. So, ladies and gentlemen, take your seats at ASB Theatre on 17 November to experience the unique sound of a Kiwi legend in the making.

Win

one of three copies of Six60’s self-titled debut album. Enter at www.the-edge.co.nz/comps

Six60 – Album Anniversary Show 17 November ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

All your favourite music in one evening.

8PM, THURSDAY 15 NOVEMBER AUCKLAND TOWN HALL For the first time in its 13 year history, Radio New Zealand Concert’s Settling the Score goes live – with the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

A concert of favourite orchestral works selected by listeners online. Attend the concert in the Auckland Town Hall to hear music lover John Campbell announce which of your favourite works has made the cut.

Tickets $45 adult, $40 Senior, $20 child/student

Bookings at BUYTICKETS.CO.NZ* or APO.CO.NZ (APO subscribers only) *Booking and service fees will apply

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live / october – december 2012

LIVE calendar THEATRE STAMP: Short+Sweet Theatre With 10 plays a night, over three weeks, 50 of the best 10-minute plays will be shortlisted down to the top 10, culminating in the Gala Final, where one play will be crowned champion!

18 September – 7 October, various times | $20 – $35* Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

Farmers Santa Parade and Santa’s Party

The Trocks – Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

Auckland Primary Principals Association – Festival of Music

Celebrate the start of the festive season at New Zealand’s biggest Santa Parade and Santa’s Party!

25 November, 2pm | FREE (Rain date: 2 December) Santa Parade: Auckland city streets; Santa’s Party: Aotea Square

The Trocks – a company of professional male dancers – blend classical ballet with brilliant comedy and astound that men can dance en pointe without falling on their faces.

Auckland Primary and Intermediate students performing over eight nights. Including a massed choral choir, and instrumental, dance and cultural groups in each performance. Over 4,000 children participate in this festival.

6 – 29 November, various times | $8 – $16* On sale November Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

COMEDY Bill Bailey – Qualmpeddler

STAMP: The Sex Show The award-winning and sold-out smash hit of Auckland Fringe Festival 2011! The Outfit Theatre Company presents a cheeky peek under the sheets into the sexual appetites and attitudes of Aotearoa.

2 – 13 October, various times | $25 – $30* Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

27 October, 8pm | $69.90 – $97.90* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

The TelstraClear Season of Giselle

Bill Bailey had doubts about the modern world, but these have now grown into qualms. Come savour this broth of anxiety with Bill Bailey – Qualmpeddler.

3 & 4 October, 8pm | $79.90 – $89.90* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

This new staging of Giselle is co-produced by Ethan Stiefel and Johan Kobborg. Gillian Murphy dances as Giselle, one of the most dramatic roles in the classical ballet repertoire.

29 November – 2 December, various times $37 – $98* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

Chugg Entertainment presents the world’s biggest band, Coldplay, at Mt Smart Stadium.

Supporting Coldplay will be The Pierces and The Temper Trap.

10 November, 5.30pm | Book at ticketmaster.co.nz Mt Smart Stadium

MUSIC

Stephen Merchant – HELLO LADIES

October School Holidays at Auckland Zoo Get a taste of working at Auckland Zoo these holidays – pretend to be a keeper or vet, chat to zoo staff and solve animal enrichment puzzles.

29 September – 14 October, 9.30am – 5.30pm | Normal zoo admission applies Auckland Zoo

Time Out Theatre: The Listies Do Compooters

The Emmy, BAFTA and Golden Globe award winning co-creator of The Office is about to bring his first-ever stand-up comedy tour to New Zealand.

19 December, 8pm | $69.90* Auckland Town Hall

DANCE Swan Lake

Award-winning Australian duo The Listies crash through all things sensible, with a mad take on the brave new world of cyberspace, that interweb thingo and fart-ificial intelligence.

Raucous, slapstick and sure to make the kids shriek and squirm!

The Imperial Russian Ballet Company will perform during their visit to New Zealand, Swan Lake... the most-loved classical ballet of them all.

13 & 14 October, various times | $55 – $97* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

4 – 9 October, 11am & 1.30pm | $15* Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

The Bootleg Beatles Their stunning authenticity coupled with their musical credibility make The Bootleg Beatles the world’s finest homage to the Fab Four.

18 – 21 October, various times | $69.90 – $99.90* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

New Zealand POPS Orchestra – O Sole Mio Following their brilliant debut, New Zealand’s only dedicated Pops Orchestra returns with conductor Rita Paczian, soloists and a 150-voice youth choir to perform great music from U2 to Puccini.

21 October, 5pm | $10 – $65* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Don’t miss this unprecedented one-off live extravaganza show in three parts; Six60 Live & Massive, Six60 Unplugged and Six60 with the prestigious Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra.

17 November, 8pm | $45 – $65* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

Regina Spektor The Frontier Touring Company is delighted to announce the return of New York virtuoso Regina Spektor to Antipodean shores.

3 December, 8pm | $89.40* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

10th Anniversary Concert for The Music Association of Auckland Celebrating ten years of service, The Music Association of Auckland will host a concert where passionate musicians perform and promote Chinese instruments in a mix of modern and traditional repertoires.

21 October, 7.30pm | $10 – $50* Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Auckland Diwali Festival

Silo: BREL

Diwali – an important and ancient festival celebrated by Auckland’s Indian community.

Featuring delicious food, showcasing authentic cuisine, traditional and contemporary dance and music celebrating Indian culture.

With his works performed by legends including Bowie, Simone and Cohen, Jacques Brel’s music remains dark, sardonic, passionate, witty, revolutionary – and, ultimately, timeless.

Profound. Intimate. Bold. Cabaret noir.

13 & 14 October, midday – 9pm | FREE Aotea Square & Upper Queen St

1 – 24 November, various times | $30 – $59* Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

APO 4 Kids Christmas

BEN HARPER SOLO ACOUSTIC TOUR

Share the magic of this very special time of year with a fun-filled Christmas concert especially for preschoolers and their families.

Ben Harper makes his welcome return to New Zealand, performing his first-ever acoustic headline tour.

24 November, 10am & 11.30am | $10 – $20* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Six60 – Album Anniversary Show

5 & 6 November, 7.30pm | $99.90 – $180* ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

www.buytickets.co.nz 0800 BUY TICKETS (0800 289 842) or 09 357 3355 09 357 3354 or email groups@the-edge.co.nz 09 357 3353

the edge box office Level 3, Aotea Centre

Monday to Friday 9am – 5.30pm, Saturday and Sunday 10am – 4pm

Regina Spektor

FAMILY

Bill Bailey

20 November – 2 December, various times $25 – $30* Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre

12 October, 8pm | $77.85* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Coldplay

An inspirational musical hero! A special two-part new show – the first half celebrates the legacy of Woody Guthrie; the second is pure Bragg magic spanning 14 albums of brilliance.

The world’s most hilariously incompatible family and the Christmas they’re forced to attend. A side-splitting New Zealand comedy.

Give the gift of laughter this year!

Book online: Phone: Group booking line: Customer service line:

Coldplay – Mylo Xyloto Tour

Billy Bragg

STAMP: An Awkward Family Christmas

Swan Lake

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Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

MUSICal

Mary Poppins – The Supercalifragilistic Musical Brilliantly adapted from the beloved books by P.L. Travers and the classic Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS has captured the hearts of millions since premiering on the West End, Broadway and Australia.

From 13 October – 2 December, various times | From $55* The Civic

*Service/booking fees will be applied when purchasing tickets. All sales are final and there are no refunds or exchanges, except as required by law. Ticket prices include GST. Every effort has been taken to ensure details in LIVE are accurate at time of publication but may be subject to change. Individual companies reserve the right to add, withdraw or substitute artists or vary programmes should the need arise.

THE EDGE takes no responsibility for any incorrect event information in this publication.

THE EDGE Home of the Aote a Centre , The Civic , Auck l and Town Hall and Aote a Square

live / october – december 2012

October – December 2012 British violinist Anthony Marwood performs Distant Light, a violin concerto by Pe-teris Vasks, plus Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 4.

4 October, 8pm | $26 – $102* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

AYO: Celebration Featuring the Auckland Town Hall organ in the Guilmant concerto, selected works by Mozart, a new piece by New Zealand composer Robbie Ellis and Shostakovich’s Symphony No. 9.

5 October, 7.30pm | $5 – $20* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

John Wells on the Town Hall Organ

Commemorating one of New Zealand’s finest pianists, with Wilma Smith, Bryan Sayer, Katherine Austin, Peter Scholes, David Guerin, Christine Cumming, David and Christine Griffiths and Lucy Zeng.

22 October, 7.30pm | FREE Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

John Wells presents a programme of magnificent organ music on the mighty Auckland Town Hall organ, including masterworks and new delights.

25 November, 2.30pm | FREE Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

APO: Master of the Violin

Winner of international prizes, highly acclaimed piano virtuoso Mi-Yeon I performs works by Scarlatti, Ravel, Rachmaninov and more. All profits will be donated to charity.

29 November, 7.30pm | On sale October Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Ning Feng, 2005 winner of the Michael Hill International Violin Competition, makes a welcome return to Auckland to perform Beethoven’s Violin Concerto.

25 October, 8pm | $26 – $102* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

AYO: Celebration

APO: Unwrap – Music for the Royal Fireworks

One of the world’s greatest choirs returns to Auckland, featuring 24 carefully chosen choristers between the ages of 10 and 14 to perform a wide range of its inspiring repertoire from the Renaissance to works by composers such as Mozart, Johann Strauss and Schubert.

6 October, 8pm | $79 – $99* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

APO Open Day Auckland’s professional orchestra invites you to a fun, free, interactive open day. Enjoy performances, meet the musicians and hear the instruments up close in an afternoon of music exploration.

13 October, 1pm | FREE Auckland Town Hall

CMNZ: Michael Houstoun – Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations

Join presenter and conductor Graham Abbott for an entertaining introduction to a favourite work in the orchestral repertoire.

30 October, 6.30pm | $15 – $25* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

APO: APN News & Media Premier Series – Russian Drama Outstanding young Ukrainian viola player Maxim Rysanov performs Schnittke’s extraordinary Viola Concerto, plus Rachmaninov’s Symphonic Dances.

8 November, 8pm | $26 – $102* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

ASO: Free Family Concert The Organ Symphony Featuring the mighty Auckland Town Hall organ in the finale from Symphony No. 3

by Saint-Saëns, plus other popular orchestra favourites with conductor Peter Thomas.

11 November, 2.30pm | FREE Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Celebrate acclaimed New Zealand pianist Michael Houstoun’s 60th birthday with a special series of concerts presented by Chamber Music New Zealand and featuring Beethoven’s Diabelli Variations.

15 October, 8pm | $10 – $35* Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

APO: Settling the Score

APO: Bach – Mass in B Minor Written as a setting for the complete mass, Bach’s B Minor Mass transcends religion and speaks to us on the most emotional level of sadness, pain, joy and celebration.

18 October, 8pm | $26 – $102* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Hear NZSO Music Director Pietari Inkinen play alongside NZSO Concertmaster Vesa-Matti Leppänen in Bach’s Concerto for Two Violins before he conducts Mahler’s cosmic Seventh Symphony.

17 November, 8pm | $29 – $115* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

NZSO: Forbidden Love

Viva Voce: HANDEL’S SOLOMON

2008 Classical BRIT Award-winner Nicola Benedetti performs Tchaikovsky’s breathtaking Violin Concerto. Emmy Award-winner Miguel Harth-Bedoya conducts Bernstein’s Symphonic Dances (from West Side Story).

19 October, 7pm | $29 – $115* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

A semi-staged performance of Handel’s great oratorio by Viva Voce (John Rosser), directed

by NZ Opera’s Aidan Lang and featuring international Kiwi mezzo Sarah Castle.

18 November, 5pm | $20 – $60* On sale October Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Keep in touch Sign up for email news and special offers, or join in the conversation on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube!

Home AKL Urban. Biographical. Influential. Life through the eyes of Auckland’s Pacific artists. Home AKL is the first major group exhibition of contemporary Pacific art developed by Auckland Art Gallery.

Until 22 October | FREE – $5 at venue Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Ta-maki

CMNZ: Enso String Quartet with Michael Endres Grammy-nominated US ensemble the Enso String Quartet in concert. Acclaimed German pianist Michael Endres joins them for Shostakovich’s Piano Quintet in G minor.

Presented by Chamber Music New Zealand.

29 October, 8pm | $35 – $65* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Vienna Boys Choir

The first Annual Gift of Music

by Mi-Yeon I

visual arts

The APO and Radio New Zealand Concert team up for an eclectic concert of favourite orchestral works selected by popular vote.

15 November, 8pm | $20 – $45* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

NZSO: Mahler 7

Home AKL

APO: APN News & Media Premier Series – Patriots

Janetta McStay Memorial Concert

Mi-Yeon I

CLASSICAL

Digital Art Live: Crowd Control Interact with a real-time 3D animation of a dynamic group of walking, running, gesticulating and choreographed figures. By Gregory Bennett in association with Johann Nortje.

Until 4 November | FREE Owens Foyer, Level 2, Aotea Centre

New Zealand Young Chinese Piano & Violin Concert 2012 Presented by the Pacific Culture and Arts Exchange Centre, 14 successful young Chinese piano and violin players will showcase their talents at Auckland Town Hall.

1 December, 2pm | FREE Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

Walters Prize 2012

ASO: Free Family Concert – Christmas Celebration The ASO presents a concert of singalong Christmas favourites, conducted by Peter Thomas, with special guest choirs from Auckland churches.

7 December, 7.30pm | FREE Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

NZSO: Freddy Kempf plays Gershwin We’ve got rhythm! Join the NZSO and Freddy Kempf for a Gershwin line-up including An American in Paris and Rhapsody in Blue.

8 December, 8pm | $29 – $115* On sale 15 October Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Auckland Choral: Handel’s Messiah Christmas just isn’t Chirstmas without Auckland Choral’s annual performance of Messiah.

We welcome a fabulous quartet of local and international soloists and invite you to celebrate the festive season in style with Auckland Choral.

17 & 18 December, 7.30pm | $35 – $89* Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

Musica sacra: Christmas at the Town Hall Musica Sacra, conducted by Indra Hughes presents the annual Auckland Town Hall Christmas concert with guest opera star Hadleigh Adams. The concert includes carols for choir and audience accompanied by the mighty Auckland Town Hall organ.

22 December, 8pm | $20 – $45* On sale November Great Hall, Auckland Town Hall

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@the_edgeevents

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Four artists. One prize. On now. New Zealand’s most prestigious art award for contemporary art on exhibition at Auckland Art Gallery.

Until 11 November | FREE Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Ta-maki

Living Room 2012 Aotea Square comes to life with exciting daily performances, including dance, visual arts, a magical bus ride, and BMX riders performing to classical music.

26 October – 4 November, various times | FREE Aotea Square

Digital Art Live: Emerging Pixels #2 Emerging Pixels #2 showcases digital and interactive art by students across New Zealand.

15 November 2012 – 31 January 2013 | FREE Owens Foyer, Level 2, Aotea Centre

MORE Auckland Heritage Festival Celebrate Auckland’s heritage with more than 200 events across the region. Don’t miss the fabulous insider’s tours of the Civic and Auckland Town Hall!

29 September – 14 October, various times | Various prices Various venues

Auckland Art & Craft Fair A selection of New Zealand’s best artists, designers and crafters selling their work under one roof, direct to the public, for one day only.

8 December, 11am – 4pm | Gold coin entry BNZ Foyer, Aotea Centre

What’s this?

QR codes are two-dimensional barcodes that can be read by most camera phones.

Ours will take you to our website.

9

10

live / october – december 2012

MEAT ON THE BONES

In 2005, Jennifer Ward-Lealand directed the hugely successful musical revue Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris for Silo Theatre.

Now Silo is bringing back the magic with a new production called BREL – The Words and Music of Jacques Brel and this time Jennifer will be up front and singing her heart out. By Diana Balham

H

e’s an odd kind of musical hero, that Jacques Brel. Sure, he’d probably come near the top of a dinner party game of ‘10 Famous Belgians’ and his songs have been covered by everyone from David Bowie to Martha Wainwright but he makes Leonard Cohen look like Maria from The Sound of Music. Brel’s songs are dark and sardonic: he wrote about hookers and junkies and failed love affairs although his own circumstances seemed mundane by comparison. (He had a very understanding wife who didn’t seem to mind that he wanted to spend his final years in French Polynesia with a dancer called Maddly Bamy.) But a gritty vein of passion ran through his veins and it’s something that continues to fascinate to this day.

Jennifer Ward-Lealand is relishing the prospect of getting inside Brel’s mind again. “The great thing about Brel’s songs is that they each occupy their own little world. You can create a sort of story for each song,” she says. “That’s what makes them timeless and wonderful for actors to perform because you can invest them with a lot of character and feeling.”

Jennifer is equally well known as an actress and a singer and has carved a special niche as a sultry cabaret crooner with her shows Falling in Love Again (where she channelled the smoky sorrow of Marlene Dietrich) and The Look of Love, Evocative/Provocative (a celebration of love in all its guises).

She says firmly that she’s an actress who sings but “you know what? To me, it’s all the same because a song is just a monologue that happens to have music with it, so you’re storytelling but in a different way. I don’t approach a song

any differently than I would approach a text. I’m not a cabaret singer who comes out with a bunch of standards.

That’s why I’m a great fan of people like Brel and Sondheim because there’s some real meat on the bones.”

The Brel

Legacy

Jacques Brel was a prolific and influential songwriter and his music endures with his songs covered in French, English and other languages by everyone from Céline Dion to Nirvana.

Our online research has revealed three of Jacques Brel’s most recorded songs and some of the well-known names who sang them...

In BREL, Jennifer, Tama Waipara and an as-yet-to-beannounced “top-shelf name from the contemporary music space” will perform new arrangements by Leon Radojkovic, whose unusual outfit Dr Colossus form part of the live band.

The show will be directed by Michael Hurst.

Ne me quitte pas (If you go away): Bic Runga, Eartha Kitt, Ute Lemper, Nana Mouskouri, Julio Iglesias, Tom Jones, Alison Moyet, Nina Simone, Frank Sinatra, Sting, Dusty Springfield, Shirley Bassey, Ray Charles, Cindy Lauper

So the production’s in safe hands. Jennifer, it turns out, is just as happy and capable on the stage or in the wings: “Obviously the director has the bigger picture in mind so you’re looking at the dynamics, the shaping, the feeling, the lighting. You’re the outside eye. Sometimes I think it can be hard for actors to trust that but it’s immensely satisfying to be a director. Having said that, there’s nothing like the thrill of performance. But I don’t think it’s an easy job. You could say that being on stage is an inherently dangerous situation.

Things can happen. You have to deal with them then and there. That’s the danger and the thrill.”

Quand on n’a que l’amour (If we only have love): Shirley Bassey, Engelbert Humperdink, Barry Manilow, Olivia Newton-John, Céline Dion, Dionne Warwick Le Moribond (Seasons in the Sun): Beirut, Nirvana, Andy Williams, Blink 182

Win BREL – The Words and Music of Jacques Brel 1 – 24 November Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

We’re giving away two tickets to the opening night of BREL, plus a $50 voucher for drinks and nibbles at the freshly reopened Stark’s.

To enter, visit www.the-edge.co.nz/comp

live / october – december 2012

11

Relationship status: Complicated.

I watched The Sex Show last year, as part of the Auckland Fringe. There we all sat in a darkened room, as an ensemble of actors played out a dizzying array of sexual scenarios.

There were sexy moments, awkward moments and funny moments. Naturally then, I was delighted to hear it’s coming back, bigger and better, writes David Farrier.

I

left The Sex Show last year in a bit of a sweat. I’d been laughing too hard, and the room was a sell-out.

The air-conditioning couldn’t cope. The opportunity to see a reworked show in the Concert Chamber seems too good to be true.

“Essentially, it’s the same fabric of what worked and what was really successful, but just improved. So it’s The Sex Show, version 2.0: Bigger, better and stronger,” says Joel Herbert. He’s directing the show, and is the co-artistic director of the Outfit Theatre Company, a bushel of actors who are as varied as they are wonderful. I know, because I’ve met quite a few of them.

“The difficult thing in dealing with a subject like sex is that it’s so broad, and everyone has their own ideas about it and their own experiences with it,” says Joel. I’m curious how they came up with the material (a hack question, so I’ve phrased it in another way).

Joel says they did the most logical thing, and got people to anonymously fill in an online survey. The results? Joel uses words like “titillating”, “risqué”and “boring”, all in the same sentence. I ask for one of the good ones, telling him I have to make this article interesting. “There was one in particular which was from a man, who was saying his main turn-on was women with moustaches.

In every other way he didn’t show any other massive fetishes; he just enjoyed fairly average sex, if there is such a thing.“

As well as the titillating and risqué, it is perhaps important to remember sex is ‘average’. Everyone does it, and if you haven’t done it yet, you were caused by it.

You can’t escape the averageness of sex.

“Essentially, it’s the same fabric of what worked and what was really successful, but just improved.”

“The most interesting thing was seeing a broad idea of generally what people went for. The biggest thing was power.

Essentially, most people were turned on by power.” While all the scenarios are helped by the online survey and the actors’ personal encounters, the stories are fictitious. So, the scene with the All Black isn’t actually about a real All Black.

Joel laughs: “I would sit and watch audience reactions, and you could see there were moments where they were really invested in what was happening. Particularly one story

where there is a young woman and she is engaged to an All Black. And he’s busy gallivanting around with other women and has lost interest in her sexually…” I’d best stop there, for fear of giving it all away. It involves a striptease.

To upgrade from The Sex Show 1.0 to The Sex Show 2.0, Outfit has hired respected New Zealand playwright Gary Henderson.

Gary’s on board to “redevelop and rework” the show, according to a press release. He doesn’t have a cellphone, only a landline, so it took a few days to reach him. “I admire the fact these people are making theatre. I kind of want to do the best work I can,” he tells me.

Gary has invested in them personally, too, teaching many of them at Unitec in days gone by. Because the play features so many actors and stories, his main job is to make it all a little more contained. “I have to make sure every moment is adding to a larger theme. Because we have a cast who have created their own characters, and they’re all rooting for their character as it were…”

There were lots of pauses while talking to people about this show, mostly thanks to the unintended pun. He continues, “…it can get a bit self-indulgent. So we’ve been concentrating on what the show is really about, what the story is, and what we’re trying to say to the audience.”

What is The Sex Show trying to say? Director Joel had the best answer: “Our intention as a company was to start a dialogue…. to hold a mirror up to our society in little Aotearoa and go: ‘This is what you’re behaving like sexually!’” Maybe that All Black story was true. It’s probably the least shocking yarn of the lot.

The Sex Show 2 – 13 October Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall

TROCKS THE

Les Ballets Trockadero de Monte Carlo

“The funniesT nighT you will ever have aT The TheaTre”

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27 OCTOBER • aoTea CenTre, The edge • Book 0800 Buy TiCKeTs (289 842) www.buytickets.co.nz www.akaaustralia.com.au

12

live / october – december 2012

The Beatles are alive (and still playing … kinda)

Once upon a time when your favourite band had split up, all you had to hang on to was the recorded music. Now it’s likely the mantle will be taken up by tribute bands – acts that reproduce the sound and feel of your favourite musicians. By José Barbosa.

The Beatles were finished as a band in 1970 when Paul McCartney announced he was leaving. Beatlemaniacs everywhere steeled themselves for a world without the formerly mop-haired musicians. It was, however, only to be 10 years in the cold before fans could see their heroes play again. Well, kinda.

“There was an American production called Beatlemania. They desperately needed an English band, so they hurriedly advertised for four musicians. That lasted for a few months and all we were left with were fringes and load of Beatles’ songs. So we thought we’d carry on with the act.”

That’s Andre Barreau. He’s talking about The Bootleg Beatles, his tribute band that’s spent the last 32 years filling the hole the original Beatles left. By all accounts they do a cracking job of it too. The blimmin’ NME reckoned that the two-and-a-half-hour show, which moves chronologically through the band’s career (complete with costume changes), looked and sounded as good as the real thing. In fact, Andre believed when

they donned their epaulets for the first time in 1980, it was a first.

“I think we were the first, yeah? There was one fat Elvis in Wales, but that was it. There were no ‘tribute bands.’ Back then we were called a ‘lookalike band’. We figured we’d last six months, play at some colleges, things like that.”

They did play at colleges and the like, but they also played in Russia, Israel, the Middle East, the United States, as well at home in the UK. They play live with an eight-piece orchestra and they’re known for sharing the Beatles’ trademark cheekiness: at a Glastonbury gig they opened their set by saying “hello Woodstock!” and asked audiences to respect the ‘no filming on cellphones’ house rule at another, by claiming such devices “hadn’t been invented yet”.

But they’re best known for their attention to detail. This is clear when talking to Andre about George Harrison, the Beatle he ‘plays’ onstage.

“He was the most melodic, intelligent guitarist. He played within the structure of the music, but when he needed to stick out or fill a gap, he did it. Amazing tiny little riffs, like in Help, which are much harder to replicate than you think.”

They’re at the top of their field. Allegedly, other tribute bands regularly attend their gigs. After three decades they’re still touring and creating new fans.

“We’re going to Mongolia next month, which will be a different situation for sure.

I don’t really hold much hope for getting a VOX 8030 out there!”

140

Characters

The popularity of The Beatles’ music continues around the world and across generations.

We asked our Twitter followers to name their favourite song

by The Beatles and ended up with a great playlist! @vargasbu: So hard to choose!

But just to mention one I say Dear Prudence. @mjkrosch: Rain – best example of their 4 unique musical styles in one tune.

The Bootleg Beatles and orchestra 18 – 21 October ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

@Steff_NZ: I am the Walrus. Because it’s ridiculous and brilliant. @ nzdodo: In My Life – sublime rising chord progression, beautifully simple zen lyric, groovily baroque middle eight. @ WillTaylorNZ: “Helter Skelter”, apparently the origins of heavy metal! @Nexxuz: My favourite Beatles song is ‘Norwegian Wood’ closely followed by ‘Michelle’. @rodarterebel: Hey Jude. It’s such a classic, moving song. I will never tire of it. @jtclassic: Something. The beautiful song by George Harrison. Love its lyrics and the music just drifts along with it. @Connor_Cowley: She’s Leaving Home / The Beatles (I love it because I can relate to how she feels) Join in the conversation on Twitter.

Tweet us @THE_EDGEevents.

JENNIFER WARD-LEALAND

TAMA WAIPARA

BREL

THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF JACQUES BREL

02 NOV — 24 NOV CONCERT CHAMBER 09 357 3355 ON SALE NOW Directed by MICHAEL HURST

silotheatre.co.nz

JON TOOGOOD

live / october – december 2012

2012 wrapped up

13

Season announcements

We’ve collected a whole bunch of events to help you make the most of the ‘silly season’ in Auckland.

This is the time of year when the companies who regularly perform in our venues start announcing their seasons for the year ahead.

Watch these spaces.

Random Acts December | Aotea Square Random Acts brings Aotea Square to life in December with all kinds of performances and activities designed to interrupt the end-of-year rush and encourage you to enjoy the talent in our BIG little City.

Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra www.apo.co.nz | @uppercircle www.facebook.com/aporchestra Season announced on 1 October

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra www.nzso.co.nz | @nzso www.facebook.com/ newzealandsymphonyorchestra

Santa Parade & Santa’s Party

An Awkward Family Christmas

Season announced in October

25 November (Rain date: 2 December) CBD and Aotea Square Head to Aotea Square after the Farmers Santa Parade to join the party! There’ll be performances and appearances plus rides, stalls and giveaways.

20 November – 2 December Herald Theatre The gang from A Criminal Christmas and The Sex Show are back with a brand new comedy for grownups that is guaranteed* to make your family Christmas look like a walk in the park. *Results may vary.

Chamber Music New Zealand www.chambermusic.co.nz | @chambermusicnz www.facebook.com/chambermusicnz

Christmas Concerts

Season announced on 5 October

Royal New Zealand Ballet www.nzballet.co.nz | @nzballet www.facebook.com/nzballet Season announced on 5 October

Christmas celebration at Auckland Zoo

ASO Free Family Concert

2 December Celebrate Christmas at Auckland Zoo with an early-evening programme of music, entertainers and presents for the animals.

7 December | Auckland Town Hall Auckland Symphony Orchestra’s free all-ages concert features choirs from Auckland churches plenty of singalong carols.

Handel’s Messiah

The NBR New Zealand Opera www.nzopera.com | @nzopera www.facebook.com/nzopera Season announced on 17 October

Auckland Arts Festival www.aucklandfestival.co.nz | @aklfestival www.facebook.com/Aklfestival 6 – 24 March 2013 Programme launched on 31 October

17 & 18 December | Auckland Town Hall Be part of the great tradition as Auckland Choral performs Handel’s great oratorio for the 157th Christmas in a row! The concert also features Piper’s Sinfonia, conductor uwe Grodd and four soloists.

Auckland Fringe www.aucklandfringe.co.nz | @aucklandfringe www.facebook.com/akfringe 15 February – 10 March

Programme announced in December

Christmas at the Town Hall 22 December | Auckland Town Hall Not only does this concert feature the Musica Sacra choir and the historic Auckland Town Hall organ, but it could feature you – with the concert including Christmas carols for choir and audience!

Silo www.silotheatre.co.nz | @silotheatre www.facebook.com/silotheatre

APO 4 Kids Christmas 24 November | Auckland Town Hall Created especially for three to five year olds, APO 4 Kids gets Christmassy in back-to-back performances. Book tickets via www.apo.co.nz

2013 season dates to be announced

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents

COMING UP

FORBIDDEN LOVE

YOUNG Dance TCHAIKOVSKY Violin Concerto in D major BERNSTEIN West Side Story: Symphonic Dances TCHAIKOVSKY Francesca da Rimini

Miguel Harth-Bedoya Conductor Nicola Benedetti Violin

BACH Concerto for Two Violins in D minor MAHLER Symphony No. 7

Pietari Inkinen Conductor and Violin Vesa-Matti Leppänen Violin

Scan for more details

Tchaikovsky Violin Concerto

FORBIDDEN LOVE 19 OCT 7PM MAHLER 7 17 NOV 8PM AUCKLAND Town Hall

For ticket details go to

nzso.co.nz

New Zealand Symphony Orchestra presents

The Radio Network Concerts

MAHLER 7 Nocturnal mysteries of the night National Tour Partner

Scan for more details

14

live / october – december 2012

The Best of

British

Currently being touted as one of England’s funniest theatre exports, The National Theatre of Great Britain’s One Man, Two Guvnors is poised to have even the most stoic of New Zealanders rolling in the aisles at Auckland Arts Festival. Luke Oram talks to playwright Richard Bean about the play they’re calling “the funniest show on the planet”.

C

all him a comic genius but, as far as Richard Bean’s concerned, you’re only as good as the script that currently warms your typewriter. It’s an interesting response for the man the English press calls “one of the most prolific and talented playwrights to emerge from Britain this millennium.”

“It doesn’t mean much to me because I’m struggling with the thing I’m writing right now, and I feel hopeless and talentless,” Richard remarks.“If your mojo’s not working, no amount of public acclaim will clear the gloom.”

This is, of course, just the constant curse of the artistic. God knows Richard’s had enough public acclaim to pronounce

an endless summer over the British Isles. One Man, Two Guvnors, his 2011 reinterpretation of Venetian playwright Carlo Goldoni’s Harlequin romp Servant of Two Masters, has travelled the world in a flurry of five-star reviews. Responding to the play’s debut run, The Guardian dubbed Two Guvnors “A triumph of visual and verbal comedy”. The UK’s Daily Mail pulled out all the superlatives, calling the play “the funniest show on the planet”. Hell, Her Majesty herself even dropped in to a preview showing to see what all the fuss was about.

Currently enjoying a run on Broadway, One Man, Two Guvnors captures the riotous essence of the British comedy of errors, standing on the shoulders of classic side-splitters

like Benny Hill and Fawlty Towers. The play follows the destitute and bumbling Francis Henshall (played by Welshman Owain Arthur) as he tries to surreptitiously hold down two jobs to two different masters, navigating the labyrinthine sub-plots of Richard’s masterfully written script with hilariously wayward results.

The play, originally set in 18th-century Venice, was shifted to the brightened piers of 1960s’ Brighton – an idea Richard attributes to the play’s director, National Theatre icon Sir Nicholas Hytner.

“I wanted to set it in the Second World War in the Blitz,” says Richard, “but he persuaded me, and I was very happy with the decision as it allowed us to do skiffle, which was my idea.” Skiffle? That’ll be The Craze, the play’s house ensemble, led by British composer Grant Olding, lending a comic momentum to the play’s manic scenes.

And one needn’t worry about the English humour failing to translate across the ocean. THE EDGE Director and avid theatre-goer Robbie Macrae recently saw One Man, Two Guvnors in London and is among the masses of converts rolling in the aisles. Robbie says the play is bound to hit the right note on our shores.

“New Zealanders often look to the UK rather than the USA for comedy and will be very familiar with the sitcom style combined with some very, very clever slapstick. There are also some very funny improvisation opportunities with the audience… I haven’t cried with laughter like that in the theatre for years.”

Be the first to know One Man, Two Guvnors is just the first of the Auckland Arts Festival shows to be announced, with the full programme to be unveiled at an exclusive event on 31 October. If you’re a super keen arts aficionado and would like to be there, visit www.the-edge.co.nz/comps to go in the draw for a double pass to the event.

One Man, Two Guvnors 14 – 23 March | ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre

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“A FIVE STAR TRIUMPH” live / october – december 2012

16

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FROM 13 OCTOBER - LIMITED SEASON HURRY BOOK NOW! CALL 0800 BUY TICKETS VISIT www.marypoppinsthemusical.co.nz

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IN PERSON The Civic, Aotea Box Office, or any Ticketmaster outlet