Downstage 2009 - 12 theatrical events to stir the senses and get your blood pumping!

Downstage Theatre is excited to announce its programme for the first half of 2009. After a very successful year with seven Chapman Tripp Awards for productions staged at Downstage, the 2009 Season One Showcase “Get your blood pumping!” offers another season of unique performing arts experiences at the theatre. The programme enters the festival spirit by showcasing a broad range of productions, legendary performances and exciting new works.

With BNZ as a proud supporter, Downstage offers live presentations by New Zealand and international theatre makers with a fresh perspective and energy, entertainment value, proven artistry and stagecraft, exciting new voices and unforgettable stories and visuals.

Prices for the shows range from $20 to $49, Early Bird discounts apply for some shows. Tickets can be purchased online, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage’s box office. For up-to-date information, prices and bookings visit www.downstage.co.nz

Turbine - By The SEEyD Theatre Company (Wellington) 13 Feb - 7 Mar

We’re the Saudi Arabia of wind! With the controversial issue of wind farming SEEyD blows another gust of fresh air through Wellington theatre. What happens when a company that’s doing everything it can to save the environment can’t reconcile with an already environmentally conscious family? At first the self-sufficient Gusten household is united in its opposition to erect seventy turbines in their ‘backyard’, but a family secret, erotic fiction, an autistic son, global warming and a most unlikely love story combine to crack their resolve. Directed by 2008 Chapman Tripp Award Winner Tim Spite.

NZ Fringe Festival at Downstage: Strike Soundsystem (Wellington) 15 Feb

Big beats and good times! New Zealand’s premier percussion ensemble Strike, Winner of the 2007 NZ Fringe Best Music Award for In the Cube, are back this time with some friends: Lisa Tomlins (Rhombus, The Eggs), Mana (Rhombus) and Samu (Silverbeatz). An exciting one-off concert showcasing tracks from Strike’s upcoming album. For one night only!

NZ Fringe Festival at Downstage: Adam Page Solo (Australia) 18 - 28 Feb

A one-man-does-all musical extravaganza with 15 instruments, 1 vegetable and so many possibilities! Winner of the Best Music by an Emerging Artist Award at the 2007 Adelaide Fringe Festival and one of the best saxophonists in South Australia Adam makes his first appearance in New Zealand. Fresh from a successful run at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Adam Page presents a hilarious interactive and improvised performance. Probably the most original music show you will see this Fringe. A wicked experience for all ages!

Capital E National Arts Festival at Downstage: Suitcase and Ziggy Swift - By Krinkl Theatre (Australia) 14 Mar

Suitcase is a touching exploration of poverty and riches. Ziggy Swift is a hip-hopping legend from another dimension; both productions showcase the diverse talents of Sydney-based puppetry company Krinkl. Whether it’s performing Matrix-like musical stunts or drawing pictures with grains of rice, this enchanting dual performance will have children’s eyes glued to the action. Both shows are recommended for 3 to 8 year olds.

Capital E National Arts Festival at Downstage: Strange Resting Places (specially adapted version for young audiences) - By Taki Rua Productions (Wellington) 21 Mar

Nationally acclaimed Māori theatre company, Taki Rua, have adapted their award-winning WWII production Strange Resting Places for younger audiences. This story of two young soldiers, one Māori one Italian, holed up together for a night, highlights the strong connections that come from being human and being young, no matter where we’re from. Recommended age: 8 years plus.

Strange Resting Places - By Taki Rua Productions (Wellington) 16 - 21 Mar

With music and comedy in Māori, Italian and English and some hilarious and moving characters, Strange Resting Places performed at the NZ International Arts Festival to rave reviews. It returns to Wellington and shines a light on the complex emotional bonds of New Zealand's wartime history and the three universals that Maori shared with the Italians: whanau, food and song - not to mention wily cunning, a love of vino and a passion for the ladies. Directed by Leo Gene Peters, starring Paolo Rotondo, Rob Mokaraka & Maaka Pohatu.

My Brilliant Divorce - Written by Geraldine Aron 26 Mar - 11 Apr

Ginette McDonald stars in the return season of this hilarious one-woman tour de force! Wittily observant, achingly funny and heart-wrenchingly real this comedy explores what life is like for Angela, recently dumped by her accountant husband for a younger model. Left with the dog, emotionally bereft and with self-confidence at an all time low, she finds herself adrift in a sea of weird sexual encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counsellors, a bad case of hypochondria and the spectre of poverty! Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on? Directed by John Harding.

The Pick of the Fringe 29 Apr - 7 May

Relive the festival spirit and dive into the deviant, different and experimental theatre presented by young practitioners. Following last year’s success, the Pick of the Fringe has been instituted as an annual event; Downstage Theatre picks three real gems from the NZ Festival fringe for a limited return season.

NZ International Comedy Festival at Downstage: A Night with Beau Tyler – Written and performed by Peter Feeney (Auckland) 8 – 23 May

Amidst the disturbing world of the self-help industry shines a bright new star. Beau Tyler is on the comeback trail with a new self help system that will challenge the existing gurus of spin – and rock your world. A funny and thought provoking theatrical satire that changes your life, directed by Greg Cooper.

NZ International Comedy Festival at Downstage: Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams – Written and performed by Sammy J and Heath McIvor (Australia) 8 – 23 May

Take the music of Disney, the drama of Lord of the Rings, and the emotion of Les Miserables. Then blindfold them, beat them, regain their trust, beat them again, and you might end up with something resembling Sammy J in the Forest of Dreams. A total sell-out at the 2008 Edinburgh Fringe Festival, this stunningly hilarious tribute to the tales of our childhood features toe-tapping songs, stunning visual effects and a cast of 14 puppets. A comedy spectacular that will have you in stitches, just leave the kids at home! Winner of The Age Critics’ Award Winner and Barry Award Nominee in the 2008 Melbourne International Comedy Festival, directed by New Zealand comedian and director Alan Brough.

Othello Polynesia - By Black Friars Theatre Co. (Auckland) 2 – 6 Jun

Shakespeare as you have never seen it before, this tragic tale of revenge, betrayal, jealousy and love comes alive in modern-day Polynesia. A play that portrays Othello as the only palagi character in a brown society, driven by the cunning manipulations of the malignant Iago. A fast-paced heartbreaking drama performed by one of New Zealand’s newest Polynesian theatre groups. Directed by Michelle Johansson.

The Raft - Written by Carl Nixon 12 Jun – 4 Jul

Set over a rainy weekend in a West Coast bach, Carl Nixon's story of a devastating family tragedy, and its appalling consequences for relationships, is a strong, gripping and bold drama. The Raft - a stormy emotional journey of realisation, beautifully conceived by some of New Zealand's leading artists. Experience how one intense weekend for a family becomes a stunning night of theatre for the audience. Directed by Duncan Smith.

And the award goes to

After a wonderful ceremony at the Wellington Town Hall last night Downstage is proud to congratulate the 2008 CHAPMAN TRIPP THEATRE AWARD Winners, especially the following ones:

Downstage Theatre Award for the Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year
Arthur Meek - On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover

Weta Workshop Award for Set Designer of the Year
Daniel Williams - The Little Dog Laughed

Constance Scott Kirkcaldie Award for Outstanding Composer of Music
Jonathan Crayford - Adagio

Chapman Tripp Award for Supporting Actor of the Year
Felix Preval - Sensible Susan and the Queen's Merkin; A Morality Play

The Absolutely Positively Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year
Where We Once Belonged - adapted by Dave Armstrong from the novel by Sia Figiel

The winner of the Mayor's Award for Significant Contribution to the Theatre
Sunny Amey

EAT Wellington Accolade for Outstanding Performance
Kip Chapman - The Little Dog Laughed

The Museum Hotel Award for Director of the Year
Tim Spite - Paua

All winners are listed on Theatreview. Thanks for your support, we are looking forward to a fabulous 2009 season.

The Little Dog Laughed: A hack's view.

Let's get one thing straight; I'm not a theatre reviewer. I'm a cycling journalist who knows a cyclist who works in theatre. The old adage "it's not what you know, it's who you know" holds true in this scenario. While I know more about handlebars and chains than ad-libs and breaking a leg (and although that can happen in cycling, you wouldn't wish it upon someone embarking on a ride), I'm always up for some entertainment of the non-two-wheeled kind. So it was off to Downstage to experience The Little Dog Laughed.

As with most things I undertake in the course of a typical day, my mind was a blank canvas, with only a cursory glance at the facebook blurb about the play for ammunition. Basically, I had no idea what I was about to see.

The premise of The Little Dog Laughed is, in a nutshell, famous actor with suppressed homosexuality falls for rent-boy with brassy girlfriend, but can't make it public for fear of career destruction and wrath of controlling, outspoken agent. The result is a web of deception, lies, and internal struggles with how to deal with the situation. Hey, I said it was in a nutshell!

Without going too much into the actual plot, I enjoyed the story, and was kept interested for the whole two hours, something I thought I may have struggled with when I saw the length in the preview. The acting was very impressive on the whole, although I wondered if the American accents were necessary for an NZ production of a US play... probably, but what do I know about theatre? I found the character of Dianne to be hard to understand on occassion, with her rapid-fire vocal delivery. Most of all I found the character of Alex to be the most human and accessible, but all the actors delivered great performances. New Zealand's got talent? For sure.

And it was definitely a better way to spend a Wednesday night than watching Ice Road Truckers!

16 Chapman Tripp Award nominations for shows that played at Downstage in 2008

Downstage is delighted to announce that our current production The Little Dog Laughed has been nominated for four Chapman Tripp Theatre Awards this year. The play is on till 29 November and is getting rave reviews, so take your chance to see it now!

With a total of 16 nominations for productions that have been staged at Downstage we are looking forward to the Awards Night on Sunday 7th December at the Wellington Town Hall.

Congratulations to all nominees!

The Little Dog Laughed
- Director of the Year (Willem Wassenaar)
- Set Designer of the Year (Daniel Williams)
- Most Promising Female Newcomer (Sophie Hambleton)
- Outstanding Performance (Kip Chapman)
Read more about Kip here

Paua
- Director of the Year (Tim Spite)
- Lighting Designer of the Year (Natasha James)
- Production of the Year

On the Conditions and Possibilities of Helen Clark Taking Me as Her Young Lover
- Most Original Production of the Year
- Most Promising Male Newcomer of the Year (Arthur Meek)
- Production of the Year

Bare
- Most Promising Female Newcomer of the Year (Morgana O’Reilly)

Adagio
- Outstanding Composer of Music (Jonathan Crayford)

2b or nt 2b?
- Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year (Sarah Delahunty)

Where We Once Belonged
– Outstanding New New Zealand Play of the Year (David Armstrong)

Sensible Susan and the Queen’s Merkin
- Supporting Actor of the Year (Felix Preval)

Te Karakia
- Outstanding Performance/Actress of the Year (Miriama McDowell)

The Little Dog Laughed: Ellen's blog

Stupid people make me want to hurt myself. They are everywhere! There needs to be a law, if you are an idiot, you get your tubes tied and are cock chopped off! It infuriates me how much time I waste in my everyday life dealing with total brainless fuckwits! Yesterday in Starbucks – Yes shock horror I get coffee from Starbucks – get over it! I don’t believe in all that globalism bullshit anyways, so, there I was waiting for my vanilla latte hoping that the guy behind the counter would remember me from last week and give me free coffee again, - I don’t know what it is but people just keeping giving me shit at the moment. Anyways so I overheard this lollipop-head barbie telling her friend in Starbucks, that she had come to New York City to ‘Find herself’!!!!!!!!!!!!! what the fuck? You don’t ‘find yourself’ in NYC you stupid horse-face bitch!! The whole point of being in NY is so that you don’t have to even think about that kind of thing, I mean, if you want to put it spiritually or some shit, you come to NY, you stay in NY to ‘loose’ yourself if anything!! What has she been doing here? Sitting in Central Park next to the John Lennon memorial and singing strawberry fields forever??? For fucks sake?? So I leaned past her toothpick of a so called friend and said “Honey take my advice, I think you should just fuck off back to the farm you came from and start looking up your own arse because you’re clearly gonna have more luck there, there’s no room on the subway for fuckwits like you!” They both turned around and stared at me for a few seconds, and then the walking anorexia advertisement says to me ‘NO thanks, we’ve just ordered.” I flicked my cigarette ash into her coffee and walked off. What an Idiot. Later on I’m in Macy’s waiting for the alien behind the Chanel counter to go on her break so I can grab so lipstick and I hear this wrinkly old tart telling her equally as wrinkly and hideous friend that her daughter is getting married in a month but she’s not sure if she can go to the wedding because she can’t get into see her plastic surgeon till December and she is NOT going to the wedding unless she can get her eyes lifted. She then asks the girl behind the Dior counter if she had any “rouge.” I called out to her from my perch “Rouge is what hookers wear!”
Stupid people deserve the stupid things that happen to them. Don’t leave your bag open on the counter while you choose your lunch! Don’t get a perm! Don’t go to the movies, sit in the back row and get annoyed if the people around you are having sex. Don’t think that by adding a cherry to my drink you can call it a cocktail and then throw me out of your stupid, hideous 80s décor bar if I throw it in your face. Don’t make faces at “tsk tsk” noises at me if I smoke standing next to your child at the park, Move!! You stupid saggy-tit moron!

Go and watch Ellen live in THE LITTLE DOG LAUGHED at Downstage

Watch the talk back for The Little Dog Laughed on You Tube

Great reviews for The Little Dog Laughed

What the reviewers say:

"A great piece of contemporary theatre with real themes, engrossing performers and a pertinent message. Wassenaar's work continues to be some of the most interesting and engaging in Wellington, and the future of Wellington theatre will be bright as long as he is here." Jackson Coe, Salient

"Who wouldn't laugh to see such fun? This biting New York satire of showbiz hypocrisy has inspired Wassenaar and Co to turn on yet another hugely spunky entertainment. Not to be missed." Mary Anne Bourke, Theatreview.com

And what our patrons say:

"It's been a while since I been to any live theatre. I found "The Little Dog Laughed" to be a great way to get back into the theatre scene. It wasn't heavy intense drama but it was light hearted, quirky and fun."

"It was a lot of intelligent fun, pointing out, how life as a Hollywood actor in the closet might be - and it was quite an achievement of director, cast and crew to bring it to live very convincing."

"A beautifully written play that’s both humorous and potent, The dialogue is truly wonderful. Outstanding performance by the cast. Like all productions by William Wassenaar The Little Dog Laughed is a class act !!!!!"

"I really enjoyed the two female characters, they were great!!"


Don't miss this witty and funny play, book now at Downstage.co.nz or phone 801 6946

The Little Dog Laughed starts at Downstage - A note from Director Willem Wassenaar

Diane: And that’s how one wins. By shutting up. You can win. And all you have to do is shut up. Don’t say anything. This is where we are in our lives.

This world is a brothel. And we are all prostitutes; selling ourselves to fit the ideal image of success and happiness.

What is hidden behind the perfect smile of those Hollywood icons we have come to love and hate? They are people at the top of their profession, who have everything, who have achieved greatness… and yet, we love to grab a random tabloid, go to the red carpet pages and put their achievements to the test. Fold the page over those cheesy grins and the eyes start to reveal a whole other story.

Compromise ─ I hate that word, as a human being and as an artist. Has our idea of happiness superseded our primal need to love and be loved?

The Little Dog Laughed by Douglas Carter Beane presents the façade, the make believe world that we all consume, chew over and spit out in fits and starts. But would we have it any other way? In this dark comedy of manners, we watch in horror as four people make their individual choices to be happy. The truth has consequences; but the lies are a living hell. So, do we shut up in order to win?

My thanks to the amazing, brave team of The Little Dog Laughed and Downstage Theatre, and a special mention for my long term collaborator Daniel Williams. This is our last project before this beautiful man heads out into the world to go on outrageous adventures. Let’s hope for the theatre in New Zealand that he comes back.

I also wish to thank… (cut to music)

Willem Wassenaar
Director The Little Dog Laughed

Seriously good.

There's a great line in a Simpsons episode (well there's a plethora of them really) when C. Montgomery Burns is viewing the less-than-flattering nude portrait of him which Marge has painted. In his typically non-plussed manner, he states "I don't know much about art, but I know what I hate; and I don't hate this."

Now, I don't profess to know much about art either, but Adagio-Seriously Sophisticated Circus had me enthralled and not thinking about hate one bit. From the opening minute, when each of the performers was introduced to the audience in a sequence which had us in a quandry as to which performer to focus on, to the mirror-image closure, I was amazed, amused, and just plain entertained in a way that I'm not generally accustomed to. But I liked it. A lot. Without being able to properly dissect the performance, to verbalise the nuances of the techniques deployed, or even identify the performers correctly, I'll at least have a crack and break it down to a Monty Burns-esqe critique. Adagio combines live music, comedy, pantomime, dance and most of all (as the name implies) amazing feats of gymnastic ability on an array of 'equipment' (chairs, swings, ropes etc). The two main protagonists were a diminutive male and a blonde female whose pure strength and incredible poise was so immense and impressive that you would think it looked so easy, but then you'd digest what they were doing and imagine trying to do it yourself, summising with a mental "no way!".
This was my second experience at Downstage, after the also brilliant Strike earlier this year, and if the quality of these two shows is an indicator of the fare on offer, then I can see myself making more regular visits. And I'd recommend that everyone should get along and experience Adagio... it's been extended, so there's no reason not too. Might even make it back for seconds myself.

Thanks to Markus at Downstage.

Brett Kennedy

Adagio extended till 1 Nov

Good news! Downstage and Awkward Productions are proud to announce that ADAGIO’s season at the theatre is extended by popular demand till 1 November. The show, which takes circus out of the tent and into the theatre, features a blend of syncopated circus acts and music from Jonathan Crayford. Directed by Deborah Pope, ADAGIO received excellent feedback from both audiences and reviewers.

Downstage also introduced a family pass for the 6.30 pm performances from Monday till Wednesday and the 3 pm matinee on Saturday 25 October. The family ticket is available at a price of $100 at the Downstage box office and on the phone and includes admission for two adults and two children.

ADAGIO is a combination of physical theatre, circus, contemporary dance, music and comedy. With Mason West, Rowan Heydon-White, Angela Green, Jenny McArthur and Asalemo Tofete the show features five highly skilled physical performers, unique in their approach to theatre making, joined by New Zealand Symphony Orchestra double bassist Vicki Jones and jazz musician Rosie Langabeer.

ADAGIO is playing at Downstage Theatre till 1 November, Monday to Wednesday at 6.30 pm and Thursday to Saturday at 7.30 pm, with an afternoon matinee at 3 pm on Saturday 25 October.

Ticket prices range from $20 to $42. Tickets can be purchased online at www.downstage.co.nz, by phone at (04) 801 6946 or in person at Downstage’s box office.

For more information on the show please visit www.downstage.co.nz/adagio

“Adagio offers a beautifully crafted hour of existential physical theatre. Perfect spring fare."
John Smythe, Theatreview.com

“What a circus, what a show. Go see!”
Laurie Atkinson, The Dominion Post

“By far the most entertaining seventy minutes I had experienced at the theatre in a very long time. Just superb.” Texture.co.nz

Adagio - Seriously Sophisticated Circus at Nightline

Watch a short feature about Adagio on TV3 Nightline, just click here

Watch Bare - Now at Downstage Theatre

"Once again the combination of great performances and dazzling writing makes for a thoroughly entertaining, gentle satire of 'our people today' that clearly stands the test of time. Go."
Mary Anne Bourke (Theatreview) on BARE

Love, sex, family, friendship, youth and bad movies at multiplexes - listen to our people talk!

Directed by award-winning director Oliver Driver Toa Fraser's classic New Zealand comedy BARE is an hilarious matrix of urban poetry. Armed with the voice of the street, two actors riff on body image, films, takeaway food, graffiti and English literature. Downstage is proud to present this limited season (13 performances only!) of this new production of BARE that premiered at Silo Theatre in Auckland last year. Don't miss out on this iconic Kiwi play starring Morgana O’Reilly (Winner: Best Emerging Actress - Metro Best Of Auckland Awards 2007) and Curtis Vowell (The Ensemble Project), that launched the career of Toa Fraser. Ticket prices range from $20 - $42. Book now at www.downstage.co.nz or by phone (04) 8016946.

Till 4 October. For more information on the show please visit www.downstage.co.nz/bare

See Strike on Wotzon.Tv

Watch this AMAZING SHOW

Don't miss our current show STRIKE: ELEMENTAL, described as "amazing show" by Simon Sweetman. Founded in 1993 as a classically trained percussion ensemble, Strike has evolved into a high-energy drumming group combining movement and theatre-based performance. "Filled with movement, shadow, space, light, darkness, mime and - most gloriously - loud, clattering drums, Strike's ELEMENTAL is the best show I have seen from the talented quartet. And it's well-priced for a theatre show too." says Simon Sweetman.

Strike’s follow-up to their award-winning stage show In The Cube (Winner Wellington Fringe Best Music Award 2007) features four of the country’s top percussionists harnessing the sonic power of the elements; fire, water, earth and the airwaves. The hour and a half non-stop show takes the audience on a breathtaking rhythmical journey and includes all new compositions, including two from top New Zealand composer Gareth Farr. "It's a total workout for performers and audience, and has something for everyone." (Simon Sweetman)

Don't miss this great show, and book your tickets now at 801 6946 or here

Watch the pictures for Strike: Elemental on FLICKR

See Ginette on Wotzon.comTV

Downstage dares to be different. And we appreciate your input!

Opening its doors twice a year to proposals from NZ theatre-makers, independent producers and arts and cultural organisations, Downstage will encourage producing partnerships between a variety of artists and cultures and encourage new collaborations across artform practice, as well as source new season scripts and productions from NZ and overseas, and call for fresh interpretations of extant works.

The intention is to showcase the very best and latest in New Zealand theatre-making.

Downstage is not proposing to reinvent the wheel but to enrich what already exists. The company’s evolution, therefore, becomes a process of looking at the familiar in new ways. It builds on strengths and motivates others to contribute to that realisation.

Therefore Downstage Theatre invites you to a presentation of the new company vision.

Where: Downstage Auditorium

When: Saturday 21 June

Time: 11am-1pm

Our bar will be open for drinks and further discussion and networking from 1pm.

This is your chance to find out the

• why?
• how?
• who?
• when? and
• what is next?

for New Zealand’s longest running professional company.

Welcome back! Ginette McDonald is starring in My Brilliant Divorce @ Downstage from tonight on

Downstage is delighted to welcome Ginette McDonald back to the theatre starring in My Brilliant Divorce from 30 May.

"When I was growing up in Wellington in the 60's, Downstage Theatre was quite simply the funkiest place to be. It seemed to be bursting with creative energy, passion and commitment. It was love at first sight. While still a 4th former, I apprenticed myself to the theatre, doing set building, prop making, prompting and waitressing, eventually graduating to acting roles. Downstage provided me with the opportunity to explore my potential – It is part of my DNA.”

MY BRILLIANT DIVORCE is a hilarious one-woman tour de force. Wittily observant, achingly funny and heart-wrenchingly real, this comedy explores what life is like for Angela, recently dumped by her accountant husband for a younger model. Emotionally bereft and with self-confidence at an all time low, Angela slowly and at times painfully rebuilds her life. She finds herself adrift in a sea of weird sexual encounters, sneaky solicitors, phone-in counsellors, a bad case of hypochondria and the spectre of poverty. Should she fight to keep her husband? Or should she sign the final papers and move on?

Book your tickets now here

Pick of the Fringe plays wow Downstage audiences

"A great show by a talented group of youngsters. It worked on lots of levels. Although knowledge of the plays the characters came from was helpful you could still get lots out of it without that."

"Perfect"

"Very cute and fun."

"Well written and acted. A solid hour of entertainment."

"SENSIBLE SUSAN WAS GREAT! Engaging, funny and all actors seemed to have an individual personality that they brought to the production well! Use of props and stage area was creative and all the friends I brought along throughly enjoyed themselves. Thank you!"

"Sensible Susan was just incredible! Funny as while still spot on... props!"

"I thought the show was entertaining and it was great that it was signed for the deaf community. I'd not seen that before."

My Brilliant Divorce Production Diary - Sound Design

Sound Designer, Gil Craig, recorded the voice overs on Wednesday morning and supplied a small set-up with the help of House Technician, Marc Edwards. This allowed us to test the recordings on a basic level in the rehearsals. From here Ginette and Geraldine discovered it didn't quite fit the picture they are trying to create.

This is a technique often used by Sound Designers to test out their ideas and ensure they are on the same page as the Director. Gil also composed a small 30 second piece of music. From this started point Gil and Geraldine were able to discuss adaptations of the music to correspond with the feeling of the piece ie. adding a cello.

Sound is a very subtle and subliminal aspect of design, so it is vital to communicate the same through line (the story's arc) as the acting and other technical elements. It is a matter of composing an emotive masterpiece that combines all elements into one fluid insight into this character's world.

My Brilliant Divorce Production Diary - My Brilliant Divorce Begins

With the first few days of rehearsal over, Ginette McDonald and Geraldine Brophy are getting into the swing of things. We now have a vague blocking of almost the entire show and Ginette is quickly memorising her lines, allowing her to truly dive into the rehearsals. A big task for a one woman show.

On Monday morning Ginette started the rehearsal process on a positive foot with a blessing from Father John and chased through 17 pages in the script the following day!

Things have been moving steadily and comfortably. The of rehearsing in the venue has allowed the crew and Ginette to get a feel of the play within it's surroundings.

Downstage picks best Fringe shows

BOOM! After the biggest Fringe Festival in its 19-year history three highly successful shows return for a very limited season from 6 - 10 May to Downstage: Best Of The Fringe 2008 Winner March of the Meeklings: An Apocalyptic Romp by Three Spoon Theatre and the two sell-out shows Sensible Susan and the Queen's Merkin by Theatre Militia and 2b or nt 2b? by 1st Gear Productions, written by Sarah Delahunty.

Hurry up and get your tickets now, all shows sold out at the Fringe! Tickets for the shows can be purchased for $20 each at Downstage’s box office, online at www.downstage.co.nz or by phone at 04 801 6946. A pass for all three shows costs only $50, and the performances can be watched on different dates.

March of The Meeklings: An Apocalyptic Romp, Winner of the BEST OF THE FRINGE AWARD 2008, offers a fresh and irreverent take on that most ambitious of topics: the end of the universe and life as we know it. With outlandish bravado, six actors will step up to play a global assortment of unsuspecting meeklings, who are unwittingly handed the fate of humanity. The unique nature of this devised show comes from character–based comedy, live musical commentary and the sheer audacity of taking on the apocalypse. The show will be playing from 6.30-7.30 pm in the main auditorium.

With Sensible Susan and the Queen's Merkin Theatre Militia are back with an entertaining sell-out Fringe morality play that revolves around a wardrobe, a mission and a Queen's pubic wig. Following A Bright Room Called Day comes a hilarious, satirical tale of the perils of materialism and mediocrity. Sensible Susan (who chose nylons over Narnia) is put through the proverbial wringer as she discovers the secrets of the Queen's Merkin. Puppetry, mask, song and rhyming couplets - a world of fantasy spills, literally, out of the closet. The show will be playing from 8.00 – 9.00 pm in the main auditorium.

2b or nt 2b? is an affirming and witty sell-out Fringe play about teenagers as they contemplate jumping off the Bridge to Nowhere in Lower Hutt. The show takes characters from the classics – Hamlet, Helena, Irina, Marsha, Antigone and Hedda – and makes them teenagers in the twenty-first century. Sarah Delahunty’s script combines contemporary language with poetic and lyrical language from the original plays: Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Midsummer Night’s Dream, Chekhov’s Three Sisters and The Seagull, Sophocles’ Antigone and Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. The show will be playing from 9.30 – 10.30 pm in the theatre bar.

Welcome to Downstage's Updated Forum!

Like to leave your opinion about Downstage Theatre? Or a particular show? Have a look at our discussion forum at http://downstage.freeforums.org/ We would like to encourage you to leave us your opinion. Register today to take part in the discussion! We are happy about all useful comments that help us to improve our theatre and present you shows and a place you enjoy.

Marilyn: Forever Blonde extends due to popular demand

We've got some great news for you! Due to the popularity of the play the Wellington season of Marilyn: Forever Blonde has been extended at Downstage. Describing Sunny Thompson’s performance as “moving”, “dynamic” and “a complete performance” The Dominion Post’s reviewer Laurie Atkinson joined the international acclaim for both Sunny and the play.

The final performances will now be:

• Tuesday 15 April at 6.30pm
• Wednesday 16 April at 6.30pm
• Thursday 17 April at 7.30pm
• Friday 18 April at 7.30pm
• Saturday 19 April at 7.30pm

There can be no further extension due to other engagements back in the United States. So get your tickets now!

Becoming Marilyn

"Sunny Thompson, a wonderfully believable Monroe, carries this one woman show with ease ... capturing that curiously appealing mix of little-girl-lost and sex bomb. [...] Thompson's performance is flawless [...] The costume design is perfect, featuring many of her famed outfits."
NZ Herald

Just two weeks to go, until Marilyn: Forever Blonde opens at Downstage Theatre in Wellington on March 26. If you want to have an exclusive look behind the scenes beforehand, just click here to watch a short movie clip that shows how Sunny Thompson becomes Marilyn Monroe. As the show currently plays in Auckland, you can have a look at a short clip from the NZ Herald, in which Sunny talks about playing Marilyn in her show. More information about the show can be found here

Brother act in WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED!

Celebrated Samoan actors Robbie and Pua Magasiva both appear in ATC's new play WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED that premiers at Downstage Theatre on Saturday March 8 and runs till March 16. WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED marks the first time the brothers will appear on stage together. In 2007 they appeared together on the silver screen in SIONE'S WEDDING. Besides them Joy Vaele takes the lead role of Alofa Filiga, a young girl that begins to come to terms with her own changing sense of identity and the price she must pay for it as she navigates the mores and restrictions of her Samoan village. Vaele burst on stage in Pacific Underground's production of DAWN RAIDS, and also appeared in the feature films SIONE'S WEDDING, ROMEO & TUSI and TATAU - RITES OF PASSAGE. She was in the original cast of FRANGIPANI PERFUME which toured to Canada in 2006. Anapela Polataivao and Goretti Chadwick, last seen on stage in Auckland Theatre Company's hugely successful MY NAME IS GARY COOPER, round off the ensemble cast.

Lively, spirited and fiercely written, WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED is a starkly honest, sometimes brutal, yet often wildly funny coming-of-age story co-produced by the Festival and Auckland Theatre Company during March, written by Sia Figiel and adapted for the stage by Dave Armstrong.

"This is a coming of age story in Samoa that Margaret Mead could never have imagined. Brave, brutal, unflinchingly honest and very, very funny," says director Colin McColl, "it has the same innocent perspective on a chaotic rite of passage as MISTER PIP or THE KITE RUNNER."

The staging of WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED draws on traditional Samoan fale-style storytelling techniques where the audience sits right around the performance area.

"At previews of WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED audiences were swept away. Like Dave Armstrong's previous hit NIU SILA, WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED has the same simple, honest staging which highlights the storytelling and celebrates the actor's talent and invention," says McColl.

Leading artist Michel Tuffery is the production's scenic designer. He has created a contemporary space with subtle use of Samoan motifs. A large transparent Perspex Palm frond hovers over the stage at once locating the work in Samoa and providing a curved roof to the performance space similar to a fale.

"The transparency of the palm and the stage floor are integral to the work" says Tuffrey, "I wanted to place Alofa is an environment where nothing Alofa does or thinks is private; Alofa's world is totally open to the scrutiny of her family and other villagers."

The conflict between private and public realms is an allegory for the emergence of a Western-influenced individual "I" in Samoa and its struggle with the traditional village way of life which where the communal "We" rules.

"While most recent Pacific Island theatre, television and film has centred on the Samoan experience within New Zealand society, WHERE WE ONCE BELONGED has a point of difference; it's a Samoan story based in 1970s Samoa - a society on the cusp of change," says McColl.

Watch some exclusive pictures from the rehearsals for the show in Auckland here, or go to the Big Idea to read an interview with Director Colin McColl. Ticket prices range from $35.00 - $47.50, you can buy tickets at the Downstage box office or online here.

Festival Fever

The International Festival has finally started on Friday, and we are proud to host two iconic Kiwi shows at Downstage. Te Karakia opens tonight and tells a love story of hope and forgiveness set amidst the maelstrom of the 1981 Springbok Tour. Co-produced by multi-award-winning company Taki Rua Productions and the International Festival and written by NZ's boldest young playwright Albert Belz (winner of the 2006 Bruce Mason Playwrights Award and the Chapman Tripp Award for Outstanding New Zealand Play of the Year in 2006 for Yours Truly) it will surely be a winner.

And Downstage is also getting ready for another festival premiere. Directed by former Downstage director Colin McColl Where We Once Belonged is an unflinchingly honest, poetic and often wildly funny coming-of-age story set against the backdrop of 1970s Samoa – a society on the cusp of change.

It tells the story of Alofa, Lilia and Moa, three typical teenage girls. They tease the local boys, misbehave at school and worship Charlie's Angels. But there is a darker side to Alofa's life. She struggles to win the acceptance of her unforgiving family. As young Alofa Filiga navigates the more and restrictions of village life, she begins to come to terms with her own changing identity and the price she must pay for it. This emotionally charged adaptation of Sia Figiel's award-winning novel, by another leading New Zealand playwright Dave Armstrong, starring Robbie Magasiva (Naked Samoans), Goretti Chadwick, Pua Magasiva, Anapela Polataivao and Joy Vaele will be another unforgettable Festival premiere

And have a look behind the scenes of this Auckland Theatre Company production. Watch some exclusive shots from the rehearsals here

2b or nt 2b? Fringe Show @ Downstage

2b or nt 2b? u r 16 yrs old. u think life sux? u are nt alone!







Six young people meet on whatsthepoint.com butr they the 1st to feel this way? Shakespeare rulz! Chekov 4 eva! Ibsen&Sophocles r gr8! A 2008 lol classic in da makn

It’s true - the more things change the more they stay the same! Take six characters from classic plays, give them each a mobile and a laptop and let them loose on today’s modern world.
2 b or nt 2 b takes characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet and Midsummer Night’s Dream, Chekhov’s Three Sisters and The Seagull, Sophocles’ Antigone and Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler. But has anything really changed for today’s modern teens? Hamlet and Antigone have disyfunctional families, Helena and Masha moon over unattainable boys and Irena and Hedda feel trapped in their boring lives. As present day teenagers they all end up on whatsthepoint.com, a website for those searching for meaning in life – and the play follows their plans to meet up.

From 18-20 Feb, 9.30 pm, Downstage Bar. Door sales only!

Full Price $12/Concession $10/Fringe Addict $9

Duration 50 mins

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Get behind the scenes

The first week is almost over - with great responses for PAUA from our patrons

Action and comedy well combined; exciting and entertaining but not too light- enough to inspire thinking about an important topic, politics, community dynamics....

As well as the play itself, I enjoyed a vibrant and active cast, the full use of the theatre (in itself a great feat) and a New Zealand topic.

I and the two others I went with thought it was a great show, very clever and entertaining. Also utilizing the whole theatre was awesome.

I was pleased to see it and well entertained. Thank you.

Fast paced, clever, funny, had a degree of tension. All credit to the creative minds behind the show

Loved the way you used the theatre space

I dont go to productions as much as I used to as my partner really isn't in to them. Being a mad keen diver I thought I might be able to tempt in with this one. He loved it as did I. It was great to see him laughing away and even clapping in enjoyment. It will make my job of getting him to go to more productions easier. It was fun, thought provoking, incredibly witty, a bunch of wonderfully talented people. We just loved it. It was a fun night out.

Excellent scene changes and continuity. Very good acting by ALL.

Thought Paua was the best play I've seen in years ! It was great - great actors, terrific lighting and sound and a thoroughly excellent production/performance.

Paua was Excellent. Very creative use of the staging, lighting and slick scene changes. Its not often you get to see a laugh a minute comedy with first class actions scenes to boot.

Really enjoyed the show, good suspense before I knew it the show had finished. Thanks for a great evening.

Excellent piece of devised work using the venue in a very vretive way.

It was very energetic and we all loved the multiple characters. Great use of the stage.

Want to give us your feedback as well? JUST CLICK HERE

A happy new year - and a happy welcome to PAUA @ Downstage

Welcome back! We hope you all had a good start into 2008.

As you can see, Downstage Theatre is currently transforming into a whole new venue, as PAUA has finally arrived in the theatre. The picture gives you a small glimpse already on the the set, more to come in the next days. Have a look at this page regularly, to see how the show is taking over and the set develops!