Something Rotten!
I come to view The Court Theatre’s summer musical Something Rotten almost two weeks into its nine-week run, and by now the show is into a smooth groove. This is The Court Theatre show I had wanted to see ever since it was announced – a comedy mashup of Shakespeare and musicals. My dream show!
Something Rotten is making its Australasian premiere at The Court Theatre and, after a rocky period for the theatre, a lot rides on its success. This show needs to deliver star power and it brings it in spades, from cast and creatives alike.
In a nutshell, our story takes us to Ye Olde Elizabethan England where the Bottom brothers, Nick (Jonathan Martin) and Nigel (Cameron Douglas), are struggling to make an impression on the theatre world thanks to the misfortune of having to compete with megastar Will.I.am (‘as in I-am-bic pentameter’) Shakespeare. This rockstar Bard is played with knowing, seductive swagger by Matu Ngaropo. Adored by fans wherever he goes, he is the bees-knees; he knows it and revels in it.
First published on Theatreview 9 Dec 2023
Taking the family’s hard-earned savings, Nick visits a soothsayer, Thomas Nostradamus (Paul Barrett) in an attempt to learn what the ‘next big thing’ in theatre will be, so that the Bottoms can, for once, gazump Shakespeare. No surprises to our audience – it’s the musical. Even better, if Nick can find out what Shakespeare’s biggest success ever will be (Hamlet), perhaps the Bottoms can turn the tables on Shakespeare and get to the story first. Unfortunately, the world of prognostication is not an exact science (or a science at all), and Nostradamus slightly misinterprets Hamlet for Omelette. (But given that he correctly foresees a game of chess and a clowder of cats becoming mega-hits in the future, why not a dozen barn-fresh?) Along the ways are disapproving Puritans, the never-ending drama of securing financial backing, and the women’s rights movement.
From the moment the stunning black and white Tudor-esque illustrated curtains open we can see that this show will be big in every way. It has a huge cast (23 actors) for a Court show and a production crew so extensive that cast don’t even make it onto the programme’s production page.
The creatives rule here. Apparently 75 have been involved in a process that has taken many months. The Court always boasts high production values and hosts clever creativity, and collectively this team have done a stunning job. Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, this show is fast paced, fun and exceedingly ‘extra’, and that is a perfect combo here. The set design by Dan Williams may be monochrome but it’s as far from bland as you can get – it’s black and white sixteenth century-style block-cut flats twist and morph into new facades and sets like a Transformer doll. The lighting (designed by Darren McKane and Giles Tanner) brings it to life and seamlessly transforms scenes in focus, time and mood. The sound (Glen Ruske) is clear and spot on, with sound effects perfectly timed, and the music, led by rockstar musical director Richard Marrett is, predictably, perfectly on point. I enjoy spotting props (Julian Southgate) that subtly give extra smiles, such as the Queen Elizabeth I ‘Like a Virgin’ poster, and the programmes of past Court musicals proudly integrated as part of the chorus action. Kyra Josephson’s choreography is modern, fabulous and joyous. I never imagined I would ever see jazz hands and puffling pants so brilliantly combined!
And the costumes – wow! From the moment the curtains open and we see the ensemble for the first time in their riotously coloured and patterned outfits, you know we are here to party like it’s 1599. They pop against the muted background and add to the fairground, joyous vibe of the show. Tina Hutchison-Thomas and her team apparently made over 400 pieces for 127 major costumes. That alone deserves a round of applause.
When it comes to the cast, Ngaropo’s charisma fills the stage with his knowing, naughty and smug Shakespeare, exuding ‘Willpower’ off the stage and into the audience. He is, simply, brilliant. As the Bottom brothers, Martin and Douglas bring their lovable but unlucky characters to life with energy and humour. I am rooting for unsavvy businessman Nick to make ‘Omelette – the Musical’ work, against the odds, and for naïve slacker-poet Nigel to win his true love. Their respective love interests are Bea, Nick’s proto-feminist wife (Monique Clementson), and puritan Portia (Bianca Paine), who is in love with love and poetry. Paine imbues her with both sweetness and passion, and Clementson is always a stand-out. She throws herself into her role with gusto and shows off once again an incredible voice – strong, clear and beautiful.
Barrett’s canny, confused clairvoyant, perfectly captures both incredulity at what entertainment will look like in the future, and just enough certainty to justify his fee. Cameron Clayton rounds out the leads as the undercover-camp Puritan preacher Brother Jeremiah, who finally fully shines when his pink sequins are revealed.
The ensemble is wonderful, and I am reminded just how talented the entire cast of shows like this must be, to act, sing and dance; and all with only five weeks of rehearsal! Two standouts for me are Ben Freeth, who seems to be constantly onstage in different guises as Shylock, Lord Clapham and in the ensemble (well done to the dressers for all the quick changes!), and Jared Pallesen as Robin/Minstrel. His singing and swooning open the show and sets the perfect tone and high standard for everything that follows.
After two excellent but intense recent musicals (RENT and Next to Normal), it’s nice to have the joy back onstage at The Court Theatre. Something Rotten is fun and fabulous, and you will never see the theatre-world the same once you have witnessed a chorus line of dancing, bejewelled omelettes – unforgettable. If you love Shakespeare and/or musicals, there are dozens of in-jokes to enjoy, but even if you are not a committed fan of either, Something Rotten is so good and such fun that you will still be laughing from start to finish, and humming some new show tunes after you leave.
If you haven’t heard of Many Hats Theatre in Ōtautahi Christchurch, you’re not alone. Neither had I, until I was invited to see their recent production of A Christmas Carol, a riff on the Dickens classic.
Many Hats is a community theatre company of adults with intellectual and learning disabilities first developed by Skillwise in 2013. Supported by a small staff team, the performers are selected by audition and then supported to create a theatrical or film production each year. Many Hats now supports several groups with diverse specialist needs to find the joy of performing in a range of ways and to discover and showcase their own talents, supported by professional creatives from around the city.
First published on Theatreview, 5 December 2023.
On this particular Saturday afternoon, we are gathered in the small, purpose-built Many Hats Theatre in the central city. About 40 of us prepare to see eight intrepid performers – Michael Finnerty, Peter Rees, Paige Freeman, Benjamin Morris, Ashleigh Smith, Hannah Proctor, Merna Fam and Jillian Vicary – attempt to condense this beloved story into less than 45 minutes. That is quite the challenge.
The set is simple: stark and black, with minimal props which serve to succinctly evoke the scene they represent. Our performing troupe give their all to what is a clever, engaging and very funny (in the right places) rendition of this Christmas favourite. Apart from Michael Finnerty as Scrooge, all the other performers take their moments as individual characters and as part of a general ensemble, morphing from carol singers to crowd members to ghosts with the change of a few simple props. The storyline is kept simple and sharp and delivery is as dry as the ice (and the humour). I thoroughly enjoy it.
What I love most is the unexpected humour brought by the blending of modern pop culture and music references. Scrooge appears, ready to tackle these ghosts, dressed as a ghostbuster (seems appropriate!); the ghosts of Christmas Past are time-travelling Doctor Whos (naturally), complete with Tom Baker scarf; and the ghosts of Christmas Future are Mulder and Scully types, discovering the unexpected, complete with eerie The X Files theme music. This all makes so much sense to me that I wonder why no-one has done it before!
While it seems unfair to single out performers from such a great and committed cast, I must give a special nod to Michael Finnerty for his cat-kicking, urchin-despising and completely unimpressed, and unimpressible, humbug of a Scrooge. Kudos also to Paige Freeman for leading the musical (and dance) ending with ‘Ain’t that just the way’.
I haven’t seen a version of A Christmas Carol quite like this before and now I wonder why other versions need to be so long! I learn everything I need to in this abbreviated retelling, and I tip my single hat to the team of Many Hats for this clever, humorous production. Well done. I’ll be back next year with high expectations.
Review: Ladies' Night
It’s 4pm on a Saturday and I am surrounded by a very large (and soon to be very vocal) local crowd at Christchurch’s James Hay Theatre. It’s a rather glam lot of women (mostly) of differing ages, sipping adult drinks and looking sophisticated for an afternoon at the theatre. That is all about to change.
They’re here with high expectations and energy to match to see New Zealand’s most commercially successful play ever, and one which has scored repeated international sell-out success – Ladies’ Night. Written by Stephen Sinclair and Anthony McCarten in the late 80s, this simple story of six down-on-their-luck Kiwi blokes taking on the world of male stripping has been responsible for many a dignified woman giving in to raptures of whoops and applause, and many men (including local Christchurch lads from the gym I frequented in the 90s) deciding they too had what it takes to form a strip troupe.
First published on Theatreview, 1 October 2023
At 35+ years-old, Ladies’ Night is back, it’s on tour, and it has lost none of its appeal.
I have seen Ladies’ Night twice before – back in the early 90s when it was new, and more recently in 2021. This touring version, directed by Ross McKellar and choreographed by Sonia Hems, includes some well-known names and faces, Mike Edward and Mark Wright in particular. And it is still a bloody fun outing.
The premise is simple – a group of mates find themselves struggling to get work. They are unimpressed that the local lassies would pay good kiwi coin to see foreign blokes covered in fake tan get their gear off – surely there is a business opportunity here? So thinks entrepreneurial Craig (David Ladderman, in place of Jono Kenyon), but he has his work cut out convincing gruff bad boy Barry (Mike Edward), quiet guy Norman (Reid McGowan), conservative rugby-head Wes (Andrew Cornish), and ‘proper’ (but convincible) Gavin (Andrew Ford). Beer-loving sceptic Graham (Mark Wright, who also plays nightclub owner Bernie) taps out early, finding the prospect of baby oil and body wax just too much.
Despite their misgivings, some hilarious misfires as they bring their initial offerings to the ‘dance grass’ outside Barry’s house, and the complete lack of understanding of what women actually want, they book a gig. Under dancer Glenda’s (Julia Guthrey) careful eye and stern tutelage in dance, stripping and women, the (reluctant) Raging Rhinos are born.
The Rhinos are convinced (by Craig, not in themselves) that the regular women who have already chosen guys like them in real life would surely pay to see guys like them on stage and, like their audience in the play, we do. Their characters are certainly relatable because they are everyday blokes and remind us of the local lads we know and love. My friend and I were trying to work out whether the guys we knew where a Barry, Craig or a Norman.
Along the way the story touches on what it (still) means to be a kiwi bloke and the expectations and limitations we all put on ourselves. Will Barry, Craig, Norman, Gav and Wes dare to risk their names, bodies and the way others view them?
What if they fail?
But oh, what if they succeed!
Everyone who has ever faced with a challenge to their own security or identity can relate to that. And speaking of courage, I was full of admiration not only for the fact that these actors put themselves on the line, as all performers do, in getting on stage for us in the first place, but for all the additional work they have put in physically and their willingness to be even more vulnerable – getting nearly naked on stage in front of a large, loud (but supportive) and interactive crowd of women!
Edward’s Barry and Ladderman’s Craig are the two characters who hold sway in various directions over the group, whilst Wright cranks the humour up in both his character guises, but each member of the small and tight-knit cast brings life to their character. They complement each other so well, creating a wonderful team effort that allows everyone to shine in differing ways.
Yes, there were funny, laugh-out-loud moments from each character as we explored manhood and friendship, but let’s not forget “the show” – the strip tease. The dance routines created by Hems and performed by these actors were incredibly vigorous, physical and Fun. It made sense to learn that Reid McGowan (Norman) was a gymnast – wow – but the other men gave him a run for his money with their moves. It was all pulled off slickly, sexily and creatively.
Ladies’ Night doesn’t ask you to think too deeply. It focusses on bringing together multi-talented performers, and promises fun, friendship, sexy vibes and good times; that is what its audience experiences for themselves. It is no wonder that this classic Kiwi play has resonated cross generations, and the world. I didn’t see one person leave the theatre without a smile on their face – and I think that is a pretty great gift to give an audience.
Oh, and Barry, #IamDenise!!
Ladies’ Night is currently on tour throughout New Zealand.
Review: Much Ado About Nothing
In Top Dog Theatre’s third production of Shakespeare to take the Issac Theatre Royal stage, Much Ado About Nothing, director Derek Doddington has dusted off the Bard and repackaged him for a wider, modern audience. There is a lot happening here – sometimes a little too much – but if the reactions of my fellow goers is any indication, it is a success.
For those unfamiliar with the story, Much Ado is a comedy and love story, with some rather dark moments thrown in. We begin as prince Don Pedro (Aaron Boyce) and his soldiers – including Benedick (Will Alexander) and Claudio (Mike Wood) – return home. These last two are the male halves of two possible couples (with Beatrice and Hero, respectively), and each holds wildly differing views of love, women and the merits of both.
First published on Theatreview, 18 August 2023.
Whilst Benedick and his sparring partner Beatrice (Hester Ullyart) are both decidedly avowed against love forever, Claudio and Hero (Palenque Doddington) are ring shopping almost from the moment their eyes meet. But it wouldn’t be a Shakespearean comedy if there weren’t villains, tears and some raucous belly laughs on the way.
Our setting is largely a private beach, roughly present day, where we encounter the ‘frisbees, ice cream and sunshine’ the Top Dog blurb promised – as well as not one but two quad bikes. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who experienced some anxiety as they executed a tight turn getting off stage! Subtle use of lighting transformed the set into several indoor spaces and timeframes and the costuming ranged from the simple and modern, to period fabulousness for the masquerade.
Standout was the wonderful Alexander, creating a recognisably Shakespearian Benedick who was still modern, relatable and hilarious. Great diction, comedic timing and the right amount of bravado made his Benedick one you rooted for.
As the object to his scorn/love, Ullyart’s Beatrice was a savvy east-ender (I think!) with a ‘do I look bovvered?’ attitude. She created a Beatrice that many would warm to – a woman not willing to believe the hype regarding anyone or thing, especially men, although I would have loved to hear a ‘yes’ occasionally rather than a ‘yeah’; maybe my old-school Shakespeare sensibilities are just too hard to shake off.
Anna Willows’ Leonata – a character originally written by Shakespeare as a man – was convincing as both a fussing mother, eager to dispose of her daughter in marriage, and a grieving one, enraged at child’s ultimate disposal. A wonderful performance both of comedy and, even more so, grief, in which Willows filled the stage with her rage.
Boyce’s Don Pedro was the seeming voice of calm and reason, an engaging portrayal that hit the mark perfectly. As lovers Hero and Claudio, Doddington and Wood create a pair of overs whose giddiness is all that Shakespeare could have asked for.
They are supported by a very able ensemble who throw themselves (quite literally at times) into this physical and fast-moving interpretation. Shoutouts to Nikki Bleyendaal, whose US-inspired Chief Lifeguard Dogberry was a crowd favourite; Kahlil Qualls’ gleefully wicked Borachio; and Jonty Coulson as Lifeguard 2 for his enthusiastic pre-show and half-time crowd engagement. I had not expected to be taking part in a “I say ‘hey’, you say ‘nonny nonny’” back and forth, but there we were! Heather McFarlane’s clear, beautiful voice and Chris Grueber’s musical versatility on keyboards (onstage during the whole performance) provided the musical magic of the show – kudos to both of them.
Doddington’s interpretation promised to bring Much Ado into the modern world. The somewhat casual delivery of lines, ad libbing and impromptu aside jokes, helped achieve that. There were moments the show bordered on slapstick and could have benefited from a few less distracting gimmicks, but overall this was a vibrant Shakespearean romp, made modern and accessible.
You may walk away slightly bewildered at everything that has just happened on stage, but you will certainly be entertained.
Review: Eve Ruined Everything (Again!)
The Good Times Comedy Club, 19 May 2023.
Comedian Eve Wingerath is, she tells us, a born worrier. She is full of existential anxiety born, in large part, from sharing a name with the woman (or character, depending on your view of the Bible as history or fiction) who has been blamed for humanity’s banishment from the Garden of Eden. That’s quite an inheritance.
This begs the question of how she comes to be standing alone in front of a crowd of 60 or so people in a comedy club small enough to see the whites of your audience’s eyes (or, hopefully, their teeth as they smile) on a cold Friday night in Christchurch.
Promisingly, The Good Times Comedy Club was at capacity, filled with a supportive and vocal crowd who were clearly enjoying Wingerath’s observations on navigating life in the 21st century. Much of her show is personal and autobiographical, but entirely relatable to people not called Eve. Clearly many audience members connected personally with some experiences, most were amused, and not a few of us were horrified at least once (the manufacturers of the Mirena IUD need to take a long look at themselves).
I had seen Wingerath ‘ruin everything’ in mid-2022 and she has clearly spent her time honing her routine and her ‘gags’ (an in-joke for those who’ve seen the show), with nerves and anxiety as banished as her namesake. She has even clocked up a few awards that recognise her as an up-and-coming comedian on the local comedy scene. Clearly, this Eve has not ruined everything.
The principal test that matters for a stand-up comedy show is, was it funny? My personal take, echoed (loudly) by many others, was yes, it was. From the vocal and uninhibited laughter to the spontaneous applause, this performance was a success.
I can recommend catching Wingerath’s show if you need advice on learning new sexual techniques, are contemplating a future in the wellness industry, or if you just want to spend an hour laughing at the dilemma of trying to exist, yet do no harm to anyone or anything, in the modern world. And if Wingerath decides comedy is not for her, she has identified a dating app just begging to be trademarked.