... 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
Thursday, February 26, 2009
Adam Page Solo finishes this weekend ...
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Sunday, December 14, 2008
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
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 (
We’re the
NZ Fringe Festival at Downstage: Strike Soundsystem (
Big beats and good times!
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
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.
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 (
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
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.
Amidst the disturbing world of the self-help industry shines a bright new star. Beau
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. (
Shakespeare as you have never seen it before, this tragic tale of revenge, betrayal, jealousy and love comes alive in modern-day
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
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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
Monday, November 10, 2008
Sunday, November 9, 2008
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
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
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
Sunday, October 19, 2008
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
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