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Downstage is NZ's longest running professional theatre, est. 1964. Take a look inside and get a feeling how theatre is produced and updates on our shows and information on specials. If you have any suggestions please email us to marketing@downstage.co.nz

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Adam Page Solo finishes this weekend ...

... and if you haven't seen his show at Downstage, you should get your tickets now! Find out more here

Adam page Solo

That's what our patrons say about Adam Page Solo:

"I look forward to another series of Adam Page's performances! He's such a funny and multi-talented musician, making music improvisations on the spot. A must-see show!"

"Awesome!"

"Hands down, the best show at Fringe this year! Adam Page Solo is a fun, funky, grooving show that makes you want to learn to play an instrument, even a kumara!"

"Intelligent clowning - great fun - lots of thought, preparation and practice behind this apparently spontaneous show."

"Going again this week, fantastic."

"Brilliant!!!!"

That's what the critics say about Adam Page Solo:

"If you love music, you must go and see this show. You might even find that your new favourite band is made up of just one guy: Adam Page." Texture.co.nz

"A truly amazing performer" Heather McDonald, Wotzon.com

"His show mixes exceptional musical qualities with quirky high-energy comedy. Don’t miss it." Garth Wilshire, The Capital Times

"It's a fun show from a talented and engaging performer with just enough of an off-beat edge to provide the something-for-everyone x-factor." Simon Sweetman, Dominion Post

"He has all the relaxed charm of a casual stand-up comedian. Way more than a noise merchant, Page is clearly a very accomplished musician, composer and entertainer." John Smythe, Theatreview.com

"Adam's quick witted and unpredictable act is acclaimed to be one of the best shows in the Fringe this year and with the audience whooping and clapping for more, no more proof is needed." Samantha Marsh, Kapiti Chronicle

Tuesday, February 24, 2009

Not just hot air...

When I first arrived in NZ a couple of years ago, my friend and I were driving north when we happened upon the myriad of turbines dotting the lanscape of the Tararua Wind Farm. We thought it was the coolest thing we'd ever seen. It was like something out of a sci-fi movie, but in a good way, not an alien-is-gonna-burst-out-of-your-guts way. How cool it would be to look out at that skyline everyday, and how cool that wind power was being utilised on such a large scale. Weeks later, I would learn of the proposed Makara wind farm project, and the resistence it was meeting from the local residents.

So it was probably somewhat appropriate that Wellington turned on a cool, blustery night for the opening of the Downstage season of Turbine. The crowd, however, seemed to be in a warm and welcoming mood for the production.

After making a mad beeline for our seats after a failed Eftpos transaction for our refreshments (I'll fix you up next week, Markus!), it turned out I needn't have rushed, as the actors were taking their time to ease into the opening scenes by undertaking a bit of doodling on the set's whiteboard-like backdrop. This 'doodling' would encompass a not insignificant portion of the play, and contributed to the storyline in many different and cool ways.


The main characters were quickly established, and the crowd warmed particularly to actor/Director Tim Spite's Ariel, easily the most accessible character, with his idiot savant-type traits and eclectic mannerisms. All the actors played multiple roles, but the main characters of each dominated the action and made following the plot quite easy after the first few scenes. Are there 'scenes' in a play? I don't know, I'm just a guy who likes being entertained.

And Turbine was very entertaining, even if the issues being addressed are still a little bit murky to me, the crux of the matter still not completely clear and neither side of the argument gaining my support, sympathy or understanding. But Turbine kept me laughing, thinking and yes, entertained for the full 90 minutes, and even if they may be evil or otherwise, I still think those bloody big windmills look cool!

Monday, February 23, 2009

Friday, February 20, 2009

Adam Page Solo at TV3 Nightline

See Adam Page at TV3 Nightline here

Wednesday, February 18, 2009

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Let 2009 begin with a fresh gust of Wellington theatre ...

Turbine opens on Friday (there are still cheap $20 tickets left for the preview on Thursday), and we hope you enjoy the return of the SEEyD Theatre Company to Downstage. Here

“I mean why were these guys here? To convince us that our view wouldn’t look that bad once the wind farm was built? I just never understood what they were trying to do. They certainly never showed any sign of taking our concerns into consideration. They were here for three hours on a Sunday for Christ’s sake.”

Hearing this from a Makara resident 3 years ago got me interested in the wind farm debate. Most of us are pro-wind for obvious reasons but we don’t think about what it would be like to live within a kilometre of a turbine the size of a football field. It would be hard to imagine what that was going to be like. We would worry about all sorts of things that we didn’t fully understand like how the noise might affect us or if it would affect our property price. We would probably then find information on the internet that would support, even enhance our fears and a battle between us and the power company might follow.

Interviewing people on both sides of the debate uncovered a more complex issue than I had anticipated, but when I was told by Meridian that the Makara residents “Didn’t want to hear the relevant explanations for their various concerns” I thought that’s it! At what point will people make a compromise? What sort of pressure needs to be applied to a person before they listen; see the other side’s point of view; change their minds about an issue … any issue, whether it be politics or relationships. From that point it was easier to know what we were writing about and from that point the human story of Turbine was developed.

Turbine was first presented two years ago at Bats Theatre but the issues surrounding wind farms have hardly changed. What has changed is the play itself. Having the opportunity to rework a play for a second season is a vital part of developing any play but one we seldom get the opportunity to do. I would like to thank Downstage for giving us that precious opportunity.

Tim Spite
Director

Sunday, February 8, 2009

Adam Page Solo The Big Idea Q & A

Below is a Q and A I filled out for the website www.thebigidea.co.nz I was feeling extra silly when filling it out. Had a lot of fun though!! here 'tis


During what hours of the day do you feel most inspired?

During the sleeping hours


How would a good friend describe your aesthetic or style?

Aesthetically bare footed and stylishly unstylish


What aspect of your creative practice gives you the biggest thrill?

Free beer during my shows.


How does your environment affect your work?

Well I’m not so crash hot on pollution and global warming, so quite negatively I guess.


Do you like to look at the big picture or focus on the details?

I generally prefer to focus on the details of the big picture


What's your number one business tip for surviving (and thriving) in the creative industries?

If you forget someone’s name just call them “Man”, Dude” or “Mate”


Which of your projects to date has given you the most satisfaction?

Writing a piece of music for the 2007 Masters Gymnastics competition… seriously!


Who or what has inspired you recently?

Who?.... the person who invented sesame snaps. What?.... sesame snaps


If you could go back and choose a completely different career path to the one you've chosen, what would it be?

Marine Biology or a journalist for The Big Idea


What place is always with you, wherever you go?

Karamea

What's the best way to listen to music, and why?

With a couple of beers in the bathtub wearing a fishnet shirt and bunny paws… coz that’s how all songs are usually written… well mine anyway.


You are given a piece of string, a stick and some fabric. What do you make?

A surrender flag to use after I insult all the Kiwi’s in the audience during my show.


What's the best stress relief advice you've ever been given?

I don’t think you can publish that.


What's great about today?

My latest contribution to my toilet


What’s great about the NZ Fringe Festival?

Hopefully all the free beer during my shows


What’s your big idea for 2009?

To heal the world, make it a better place, for you, and for me, and the entire human race. There are people dying, if you care enough for the living… make a better place for you and for me.

Adam Page placed in the TOP TEN SONGS for the INDIE INTERNATIONAL SONG WRITERS COMPETITION

That's right... NEWS JUST IN. I was placed in the top 10 songs in the INDIE INTERNATIONAL SONGWRITING CONTEST! The song is called "Inspiration"... you can download it from iTunes by looking up Adam Page Solo... or go to www.myspace.com/adampagemusic and click the paypal logo below the pic of my album... or you could buy the album off me on the night you come to my show!!! so many choices!! peace

Adam Page Solo DVD Preview

yes that's right folks... if you want to see a sneak peak on what my show might be like (it's different every night so this'll be an indication anyway!!....) go to the following link.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kr1ykpNPOSg You can also buy the entire DVD and my CD from the Downstage Theatre Box Office from mid Feb!!