Here's what's on in the Capital this month
WellingtonTheatre / Performance
BATSM'Lady. Until 19 August. Hats will tip and shoes will tap in this all-singing, all-dancing satire of men’s rights activism and pick up artistry. When "nice guy" Elliot can’t win the girl of his dreams, G, a wannabe pick-up-artist, attempts to transform him into an irresistible chick magnet. Performed by an all-singing, all-dancing, all-female cast, M’Lady invites you to look beneath the fedora of feminism’s greatest nemesis. Red Scare Theatre Company returns after their celebrated production of Yellow Face to bring you M'Lady, a wickedly funny send up of the grossest guys you know.
In The Wars. Until 26 August. Inspired by true war stories from New Zealand to Palestine and Iraq to Rwanda, In the Wars tells each story from an unexpected perspective with gravitas and humour, finding territories of courage and love in the heart of each conflict. We meet the ring that is resisting its pillager, the Barbie doll who's struggling under the weight of war torn rubble, the Afghan bomb-sniffer dog who has failed in her task and now needs a dog psychologist. Directed by award-winning Spanish Director Jorge Picó with original music by one of New Zealand's most celebrated composers, Gareth Farr, In the Wars will surprise, move and delight its audiences.
Soft N Hard. 22-26 August. Gender is a performance, and we're all complicit. Join Jo Randerson and Thomas LaHood, the creative team behind Barbarian Productions, as they wrestle with the construction and performance of gender. Playing in an abstract and cliched world, watch Her and Him negotiate the boundaries of their constructed world.
Brackets. 26 August. A monthly smorgasbord of queer entertainment - everything from plays to podcasts to poetry slams. All that’s best in queer performance, for and by the queer community. Brackets is our history told through performance – everything from plays to podcasts to poetry slams. We’re popping the lid on the dress-up box, dusting off our copies of Dykes to Watch Out For, and sitting at the feet of our favourite auntie to hear the stories she couldn’t tell us when we were younger.
The Night Mechanics. 29 August- 9 September. A tale where water is no longer free, where dreams no longer exist. This is the future. Hine, reluctant to lead her people, battles to gain control from the corporate monster ’The Water Company’ - helmed by the powerful and maniacal Darren. The two women are poised for collision. Hine is forced to take action to stop Darren - and in doing so creates an unlikely alliance with a Woman of No Nation, a self appointed Mayor who seeks profit in poverty and a Preacher for the Corporate Monster. The Night Mechanics is inspired by the world today - the fight for clean water and tino rangatiratanga.
Circa
A Doll’s House. Until 2 September. Nora Helmer has it all: a successful and attractive husband, a big house and two charming children. But as Christmas festivities get underway, events from the past return to wreak havoc in paradise. Nora’s life begins to fracture, leaving her trapped inside a web of secrets and lies… Will the truth set her free or is she in too deep? In the original play, Ibsen controversially exposed the power and gender dynamics of a marriage. This modern take, by celebrated New Zealand writer Emily Perkins, picks up Ibsen’s gauntlet and drops it into present-day New Zealand. Sophie Hambleton (Katydid, TV’s Westside) commands the stage as Nora. Directed by award-winning Katherine McRae (Cherish, The Enemy of the People), this production will shock and move you.
Caging Skies. Until 9 September. Johannes, a zealous member of the Vienna Hitler Youth, discovers a fateful secret – his family is hiding a young Jewish woman, Elsa, in their home. Her life in his hands, Johannes and Elsa embark on a gripping journey of obsession and love that blurs the lines between the captive and the free, the victorious and the defeated, as the horrors of the war unfold around them and each must find a way to survive. From award-winning writer Desiree Gezentsvey (Nuclear Family) and visionary director Andrew Foster (Red) comes this hauntingly powerful story that lays bare the darkest corners of the human soul. What happens when children innocently embrace an ideological lie, when parents become afraid of their own children, when the lie takes on a life of its own?
Venues
Wellington
Glenn Hughes. 27 September.
Michael Fowler Centre. Glenn Hughes played his last concert with Deep Purple on March 15, 1976, at Liverpool's Empire Theatre. On that night, the UK bassist and vocalist walked away from one of history's truly game-changing rock phenomena and never looked back — until now. For the first time in 40 years NZ fans will witness Glenn Hughes – The Voice of Rock and one of the finest hard rock singer/ musicians of his generation fronting a handpicked band live in concert, as he revisits some of Deep Purple's all-time greatest songs.
Adam Ant.
10 October.
Opera House.
Following his recent sold out North American and UK tours, pop icon Adam Ant is celebrating the 35th anniversary of the release of his landmark “Kings of the Wild Frontier” album with a newly-remastered reissue (Sony Legacy) and New Zealand tour. Adam will play the classic album in its entirety and in sequence.
Magicians – Live on Stage.
21 October.
Opera House.
Come one, come all, and experience ‘magic’ like you’ve never seen it before. In this theatrical twist to a magic show you’ll meet the quirky, the skilled and the strange as you’re transported to the world of the impossible. Starring five of the greatest magicians on the planet, you’ll witness the unbelievable and experience true entertainment in this charming celebration of the ‘art-of-magic’.
Dublin’s Irish Tenors & The Celtic Ladies.
18 November.
Opera House.
Two of Ireland’s best-loved groups Dublin’s Irish Tenors and The Celtic Ladies combine to present one beautiful concert tour of New Zealand this November. Moving tirelessly from opera to pop, jazz to classical, each member showcase their unique talents, from lively fiddling, to marvellous melodies, to perfected piano pieces. These two groups bring an excellent mix of traditional Irish tunes, adult contemporary and classical music.
Saturday Night Fever.
26 November.
TSB Bank Arena.
This contemporary retelling of the classic story captures the energy, passion and life-changing moments that have thrilled movie audiences since 1977. Now, a new generation of talented actors, singers and dancers meets a new generation of theatre-goers to explore the soaring sounds and pulsating rhythms of this coming-of-age disco fantasy.
HannahPlayhouse
Indian Ink - The Pickle King.
24 August – 9 September.
A comedy about love, death and preserves Rip the lid off a jar of utterly delicious theatre, bursting with wit, wonder and the faint whiff of death. Sasha, the blind receptionist of the crumbling Empire Hotel, knows she is cursed – everything she loves dies. But when true love finds her, she can’t help falling. One night, Death checks into the hotel. Belly laughs combine with throat-catching pathos to create a sophisticated modern fable that is “an intelligent and hilarious celebration of human resilience.” The Scotsman The Pickle King is Indian Ink’s most awarded play; winning an Edinburgh Fringe First, a record seven nominations at the Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards and the supreme accolade – Production of the Year. For our twentieth anniversary we’ve given this much-loved comedy a contemporary twist to tickle your taste buds. This timeless tale “offers humanity and psychological insight in a package of good plain laughs, luminous performances and brilliant staging.” Dominion Post.
Tickets – Ticketek 0800 842 538
NZSO
The Damnation of Faust:
Concert Opera.
25 August, Michael Fowler Centre.
Hector Berlioz’s fantastical metaphysical drama La Damnation de Faust is neither opera, nor oratorio, nor song cycle nor symphony. Instead it thrives in the theatre of the imagination, creating a magical world of dancing sylphs and demonic devils in technicolour musical detail. British tenor Andrew Staples' recent performance in the title role was described as ‘an absolute revelation’. Undoubtedly one of the greatest bass-baritones in the world, the award winning Eric Owens will perform the intoxicatingly demonic role of Méphistophélès. Mezzo-soprano Alisa Kolosova joins this extraordinary cast as Marguerite. With the beautifully resonant bass of James Clayton as Brander and the acclaimed New Zealand Opera Chorus, this extraordinary, once-in-a-lifetime event must not be missed.
The Royal New Zealand Ballet
The Ryman Healthcare Season of Romeo and Juliet – WORLD PREMIERE.
Until 20 August.
St James Theatre. Francesco Ventriglia creates a new version of the world's greatest love story, especially for the Royal New Zealand Ballet: the company's first new production of Romeo and Juliet since 2003. Inspired by Franco Zeffirelli's classic 1968 film, this will be a hot-blooded, passionate re-telling of Shakespeare's play that is sure to resonate with lovers of dance, drama and pure romance.
Oscar-winning designer James Acheson (The Last Emperor, Dangerous Liaisons, Restoration) will bring Renaissance Verona to life in all its vitality and splendour, from the blazing battles of the Capulets and Montagues to the lovers' heart-breaking youth and beauty. Prokofiev's instantly recognisable score will be performed by Orchestra Wellington.
The Menagerie Deluxe variety show
2 September.
Opera House.
One night only variety show of 16 acts and 70 performers (almost all Wellingtonians). This 2-hour show takes the audience through an epic ride from hula hooping, magic, aerial circus, opera, kapa haka, burlesque, comedy, contortion, poetry, drag, magic, vaudeville, music, contemporary dance, jazz singing and more. The Menagerie is bringing bawdy, risqué and modern variety back to the Wellington Opera House.
Tickets through Ticketek.
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