See more recent reviews at theatreview.org, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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BILLY AND THE CURSE OF THE FALLING LIMBS: Innocence, eccentricity and downright villainy delivered with confidence and skill
BATS Theatre, The Propeller Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Devised by Icicle Productions 
Directed by Carolyn Dekkers
- reviewed by Tim Stevenson

The play sustains a nice contrast between Van Oyen’s cool, purposeful Billy and the eccentricities, shading well into downright villainy, of the other characters. The strong, experienced cast clearly revels in the opportunity to explore the extremes of their fantasy roles.

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BILLY AND THE CURSE OF THE FALLING LIMBS: Appealing for all ages
BATS Theatre, The Propeller Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Devised by Icicle Productions 
Directed by Carolyn Dekkers
- reviewed by Ewen Coleman

Having been seen earlier in the year in the Fringe Festival, the fascinating production of Billy and the Curse of Falling Limbs has been refined considerably for its current outing at Bats Theatre.

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MANU AND WEARING MY MAP - DOUBLE BILL: Strong contrasts in Measina double bill
Pataka Art & Museum, Wellington
Choreographers: Taofi Mose-Tuiloma, Julia Mage’au Gray
- reviewed by Chris Jannides

Julia Mage’au Gray’s Wearing My Map comes from more of a performance art approach. Where most of the Pacifica contemporary dance choreographers I’ve seen in the festival seem attracted to the visual impact and beauty of movement, Gray is drawn towards the power of stillness. Swept up by the abundance of choreographic structures in the other dance works in this festival, this piece takes me by surprise. Its contrast draws me in.

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FLUX: Lithe grace, youthful beauty and fun energy
Hagley Open Stage, Christchurch
Company director: Naressa Gamble 
Artistic Advisor : Fleur de Thier
- reviewed by Andrew Shepherd

All of the student choreographies show unique and developing voices that have clearly benefited from the guidance they have received over the course of a year at Hagley, while utilizing a common dance vocabulary that works well on all of their bodies, in spite of inherently different movement styles.

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AUMAGA & SHEL WE? DOUBLE BILL: Male energy to the max, humour to the fore
Pataka Art & Museum, Wellington
Choreographers: Andy Tilo and Tupua Tigafua
- reviewed by Chris Jannides

Tilo’s choreography makes similar use of men striving to walk and run in purposeful unison. Tigafua is attracted to the insignia of the suits. The Measina Festival opens a contemporary indigenous platform for the many influences penetrating and intermingling this part of our planet. A clash and confusion of cultures becomes fusion. It is the new world order for here. Such artists are slowly forging a way forward.

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CYNTHIA FORTITUDES’S FAREWELL – HER SECOND: Ms Moulder should be a household name
The Riverbank Centre, Whangarei
Written and performed by Helen Moulder as Cynthia 
With Tim Bridgewater as Gottlieb von Oberstock Winkledorf 
Presented by Willow Productions
- reviewed by David Stevens

In every way, this show defies criticism. It is designed as a crowd pleaser for a loyal audience and it delivers on every level. The small but ardent audience in the Hatea Room at the Riverbank Centre loved it and gave it rapturous applause. “Bravo!” they cried.

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Measina Festival 2016
TALOFA PAPA: Sure, subtle and heart-warming
Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Kasiano Mita
- reviewed by John Smythe

Papa’s soft but determined requests and questions are followed by a countdown – 5, 4, 3, 2, 1 – and failure to comply or answer correctly consigns the miscreant to The Mat. There is an amused knowingness in the audience and those thus disciplined obey while quietly smiling.

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MUSIQUE ROMANTIQUE: An evening of romance and fine music
BATS Theatre, The Propeller Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Performed by Matthew Pike 
Directed by K.J Smith
- reviewed by Ewen Coleman

It's common in modern music concerts for singers to end up divesting themselves of their clothes, but for Matthew Pike in his new and highly original show, Musique Romantique, currently playing early evenings at Bats Theatre, he does just the opposite.

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Measina Festival 2016
PURPLE ONION: Delightful delineation, music and dance
Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Le Moana
- reviewed by Margaret Austin

The title of this show is eponymous – it recalls the late sixties and early seventies when the Purple Onion nightclub presided as Wellington’s notorious burlesque parlour, attracting New Zealand’s social elite as well as numerous dubious characters.

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Measina Festival 2016
THIRSTY: Impressive vocal and physical command
Pātaka Art + Museum, 17 Parumoana Street, Porirua
Written and Performed by Ali Foa'i
- reviewed by Margaret Austin

Minimalist staging and skilful lighting enhance a cast of characters inhabited with remarkable facility by their creator. Male or female, masculine or feminine – Ali knows them, loves them, and enacts them.

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WINE LIPS: Cheeky start, complex potency, satisfying aftertaste
BATS Theatre, The Heyday Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written by Sam Brooks
Directed by Stella Reid 
Presented by Making Friends Collective
- reviewed by John Smythe

The astute directing of Stella Reid sees Tom Clarke’s Scotty and Karin McCracken’s Brit create volatile chemistry out of a profound familiarity with each other that is now tempered with self-preserving trepidation.

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A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A fabulous festive way to entertain friends and family
The Forge at The Court Theatre, Christchurch
Based on the novel by Charles Dickens 
Written and Directed by Dan Bain 
Featuring Jared Corbin and Kathleen Burns 
Music by Thomas Harris
- reviewed by Ruth Agnew

As we are repeatedly reminded, this is Charles Dickens' A Christmas Carol, but adapted by Dan Bain. Bain's comedy has a broad appeal, evidenced by his brilliant children's shows and his more adult Stag Weekend. With this show he balances a healthy helping of the source material with contemporary references.

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STAND UP LOVE: The abiding questions of ‘love’ explored
BATS Theatre, The Heyday Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written by Gavin McGibbon 
Directed by Adam Goodall 
Presented by Making Friends Collective
- reviewed by John Smythe

Most of us will recognise that strange yet common compulsion to sabotage happiness because … Well that’s what we’re drawn into trying to understand, as the action moves seamlessly from home to comedy venue and back again ...

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RIDING IN CARS WITH MOSTLY STRAIGHT BOYS: One self seen to grow
Studio 77 Amphitheatre, 77 Fairlie Tce, Wellington
Written and Directed by Sam Brooks
- reviewed by Shannon Friday

Sam Brooks' Riding in Cars with (Mostly Straight) Boys is your typical coming-of-age story. Kyle is young, gay, and insecure. He also can't drive. As he bums rides from multiple guys – some gay, some straight, some friends, some hoping to be more – Kyle has to figure out what is keeping him from taking the wheel.

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See more recent reviews at theatreview.org.nz, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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