ADMIRABLE, ENTRANCING
Peninsula by Gary Henderson
Reviewed by Barbara Frame, 31 Mar 2014, originally published in Otago Daily Times
What volcano? "The volcano we're all sitting on right now," the new teacher, Mr MacIntosh, tells his class. To the kids in the primary school at Duvauchelle, on Banks Peninsula, this is a revelation. To one of them, Michael, it's life-changing.
Set somewhere around 1960, Gary Henderson's play is entrancing. There are moments of magic, notably when a family snuggles under a blanket to watch a satellite in the night sky, and when a class marvels at the simplicity of a pinhole camera. But it's not all lyrical and, when prejudice and violence crack the serenity to expose some of New Zealand society's more shameful aspects, the volcano metaphor is apt.
Director Patrick Davies describes Peninsula as "simply the best New Zealand play," and it would be hard to disagree. Davies' inspired, beautifully designed, precisely paced production does justice to the play's scope and vision. Read more...
OH YES, A CLASSIC
Peninsula by Gary Henderson
Reviewed by Terry MacTavish, 31 Mar 2014, Theatreview
I have been longing to see Peninsula ever since reading John Smythe's prediction nearly ten years ago that it was destined to become a classic. Winner of the 2013 Playmarket Award for Contribution to New Zealand Theatre, Gary Henderson is surely a national treasure. With apparently casual ease he shows us ourselves in the wonderful tradition of The End of the Golden Weather and The Children of the Poor, employing the Brecht-influenced style that has actually become an identifiable characteristic of NZ Theatre: a small cast playing myriad characters to create an era and community instantly recognisable to us.
I meet friends at interval who are marvelling over the accuracy and honesty of this recreation of the nineteen sixties, from junket for tea (“The awful food we had!”) to six o'clock closing (“Dad got arrested once”).
This is part of the joy of Peninsula, that we can live again those days when, the minute school was out, kids went bush – building huts, digging secret tunnels, never home till dinner was on the table, running horrendous risks, making our own fun. By way of this seductive nostalgia Henderson leads us to contemplate how the NZ of the 60s has led to the NZ we know today. Read more...
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Dunedin Fringe Festival 2014
Fortune Theatre Studio
The 'I' Test | Presented by Muted Crane Productions (Wgtn)
What is it within me that colours my lens? Which of my experiences shade my perspective? This new dance-theatre work is an explosive experiment between people, matter and space; era, texture, origin. Emerging dance artists tackle inextricable human connectedness in an exciting and confronting collaboration of sound, spacial design and movement.
Anna Flaherty, Danielle Lindsay and Emma Coppersmith are three emerging dance makers forging their way into the choreographic landscape with the newly created company Muted Crane Productions. All recent graduates of leading New Zealand tertiary dance institutions, Anna, Danielle and Emma have worked with companies such as Footnote Dance, Java Dance Company, Rifleman Productions, Bipeds Productions and The World of WearableArt Awards. The trio performed for the first time together in ‘Feet of Clay’ choreographed by Livia McPhedran.
7:00 pm, March 13,14,15, Fortune Theatre Studio
Online Tickets: $14 | Door Sales: $17 Dash Tickets (0800 327 484)
Heart Goes Boom | Presented by Jamie Bowen (Akld)
Elbert Hubbard once said, "Don't take life too seriously. You'll never get out of it alive." After a horrible year or 'annus horibilis', Jamie’s been wondering what to do when things fall apart. The answer? Start laughing. Laughter is our greatest weapon and Heart Goes Boom is all about laughing hardest when life goes comically wrong.
Jamie Bowen is one of New Zealand's most creative and exciting comedians. He’s a 15-year veteran of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival and his career has taken him all over the world.
9:00 pm, March 14,15, Fortune Theatre Studio
Online Tickets: $14 | Door Sales: $18 Dash Tickets (0800 327 484)
Finding Hephzibah | Presented by Urban Heart Productions (Dun)
Finding Hephzibah (Hephzibah meaning ‘My Delight is in Her’) is a performance piece inspired by William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Using dance, dialogue and film it asks the question: How does a woman in today’s society relate to sweet, gentle Juliet? This piece ‘uncovers’ the essence of Juliet and finds redemption for the women of today.
7:00 pm, March 20, 21, 22, Fortune Theatre Studio
Online Tickets: $15 | Door Sales: $20 Dash Tickets (0800 327 484)
Take Back the Hood | Presented by Deborah Eve Rea (Wgtn)
Little Red is all grown up and pissed that she’s the moral of a story used to control children. She’s spreading the truth of her tale to the masses. Are you ready to be liberated? Armed with a keyboard, microphone and metaphor, Red stirs thought, pokes fun and even smacks you in the feels at points. Join the REDolution! Finalist for Best Solo Show - NZ Fringe Festival.
9:00 pm, March 20, 21, 22, Fortune Theatre Studio
Online Tickets: $12 | Door Sales: $15 Dash Tickets (0800 327 484)
Open Auditions
By appointment only on: Wednesday, 2 April, 2014
Fortune Theatre is Dunedin's only, and one of New Zealand's foremost, professional theatre companies offering entertainment of the highest quality.
Fortune Theatre employs professionals nationally, internationally and is fully dedicated to fostering and supporting local artists.
Those wishing to audition will be required to prepare two contrasting monologues, one of which must be from a New Zealand play. Actors who are also skilled singers should come prepared with 16 bars of a song. Both the monologues and the song should not exceed a combined duration of 5 minutes. Actors may only be asked to perform one monologue.
Successful candidates will be contacted with a confirmed audition time. Priority will be given to those who have not previously auditioned. Artistic Director, Lara Macgregor, will be running auditions on the day.
Please e-mail contact details, headshot and performance resume by 5pm Monday, 24 March to: Shannon Colbert,
