News
Happy Days
by Samuel Beckett
HERALD THEATRE, 20 August - 18 September
Life. She's up to her neck in it.
Amidst blazing light and scorched grass, Winnie is half-buried in a mound. Still she greets each day with a smile, rummaging around in her handbag, applying makeup, brushing her teeth and nattering away to her husband. She's always got a loaded revolver stashed away should it all get too much. Hers might not be the ideal life, but should a happy day come her way she'll seize it with both hands. Buried slowly beneath the mire of an indiffirent universe, Winnie offers the bravest response possible. She persists.
In Happy Days, Samuel Beckett's luminous simplicity and boldly imaginative vision deals with existence in a world where existence has ceased to exist. Ironic, funny, despairing and courageous.
Michael Hurst once again takes a modern masterpiece and distils its essence to produce a theatrical experience acutely insightful and unexpectedly moving. The magnificent Robyn Malcolm joins with old mate Cameron Rhodes to take us all to the brink in a tour de force performance of this legendary work.
featuring Robyn Malcolm and Cameron Rhodes
direction by Michael Hurst
for more information and to book tickets visit THE EDGE website or phone 0800 BUY TICKETS
Wrecks
by Neil LaBute
BACKYARD THEATRE, 29 Septemeber - 2 October
Meet Edward Carr, adoring father, successful businessman, grieving widower, chain smoker.
Under Agnew's direction, Todd Rippon (Avatar, King Kong, Shortland Street) portrays Carr as a likeable Kiwi businessman, reminiscing as he prepares for his wife's eulogy. With humour and honesty, he draws us into his life story, describing his passionate marriage to his beautiful, older wife Mary Jo, whose coffin sits in mute witness.
Like LaBute's other plays, Wrecks comes with a twist. By the time we understand how Edward has pushed the boundaries of what is acceptable in achieving his heart's desire, it's too late - we're already under his spell - just like Mary Jo was.
"Wrecks is bound to be identified by its shock value. But it must also be cherished for the moment-by-moment pleasure of its masterly portraiture. There is not an extraneous syllable in LaBute's enormously moving love story." - Linda Winer, Newsday.
featuring Todd Rippon
direction by Pinky Agnew
for more information and to book tickets visit the Backyard Theatre website or phone (04) 934 4068
Peter Rowley on NZ On Screen
Taken from the NZ On Screen website.
Funny man actor Peter Rowley is best known for his appearances in a slew of TV comedy shows including A Week of It, McPhail and Gadsby, The Billy T James Show, the self-titled Pete and Pio with Pio Terei, and Letter to Blanchy. Rowley does however have a dramatic side which he has ably demonstrated in the feature films Savage Island, Russian Snark and Netherwood (currently in post-production).
In his ScreenTalk interview, Rowley talks about:
- How A Week of It became a hit satirising politics and politicians
- How lampooning Prime Minister Rob Muldoon made Muldoon more popular
- Being accused of ruining the career of Bill Rowling by the politician's daughter
- Writing for The Billy T James Show while living with the show's star
- Hating the emergence of political correctness while continuing to push boundaries in comedy
- Causing offence in a souvenir store by wearing a Nazi uniform
- Loving working with Pio Terei in Pete and Pio
- How Aucklanders didn't 'get' Letter to Blanchy
- Successfully begging to be in the pirate movie Savage Island
- The beautiful cinematography in Stephen Sinclair's film Russian Snark
- Overcoming personal doubts about his abilities
Watch the interview here.
Eros
by Caroline Lark
COURT THEATRE, 27 August - 25 September
Sex. Love. And everyone in between....
Polyamory: participation in multiple and simultaneous loving or sexual relationships. Take six hearts, minds and bodies, mix well, and enjoy a comedy of contemporary manners with a sexy and intriguing difference.
If you've ever thought having one relationship was hard work, see what happens when love goes six ways.
featuring Ali Harper, Laura Hill, Matt Hudson, Toby Leach, Clare Dougan and John Pheloung
direction by Yvonne Martin
for more information and to book tickets visit the Court Theatre or call (03) 963 0870
Krapp's Last Tape
by Samuel Beckett
THE BASEMENT THEATRE, 23 September - 10 October
Krapp's Last Tape is one of Samuel Beckett's most affecting works and depicts a world weary, old man listening to audiotapes he made as an eager, innocent, younger man.
Thanks to Auckland City Archives we are able to use original voice recodings of Edward Newborn from the 1985 Theatre Corporate production for this 2010 revival. "Having Edward listen to his own voice recorded 25 years earlier gives this production a rare authenticity and to the best of my knowledge is a world first," says director Paul Gittins.
We would like to acknowledge the kind support of Arts Alive in helping make this unique revival part of Auckland Heritage Festival.
featuring Edward Newborn
direction by Paul Gittins
for more information and to book tickets visit iTICKET Express.
Predicament to show in Hollywood
Taken from the NZ Herald.
New Zealand director Jason Stutter has been invited to show a feature film Predicament in Hollywood for a Director Finders screening. The Screen Directors Guild of New Zealand (SDGNZ) issued the invitation as part of a partnership between SDGNZ and the Directors Guild of America (DGA).
Directors Finders was established in 1998 by the DGA's Independent Directors Committee. The purpose of the series is to spotlight undistributed independent feature films and their directors. Since its inception the series has screened 100 plus films and more than half of those screened have been picked up for North American distribution.
"It is the goal of the DGA through this series to offer both additional and expanded professional recognition and commercial contacts to New Zealand directors," said Kathy Garmezy, assistant executive director for government and international affairs, for the DGA.
SDGNZ is working closely with the New Zealand Film Commission, which is supporting the initiative. "The idea behind the screening is to assist the director to secure North American distribution and to showcase New Zealand directors," said SDGNZ president Peter Bell.
Predicament, based on the novel by Taranaki writer Ronald Hugh Morrieson who died in 1972, is writer/director Stutter's third feature film.
"Having the DGA and SGDNZ support Predicament for this opportunity is unbelievably exciting," he said. "The reason I started making films was because I grew up loving movies and many of them from Hollywood, so having my film screen at the DGA feels pretty amazing."
The screening will take place on November 5 in the DGA Theatre on Sunset Boulevard.
Read the original article here.
My Big Week: Amanda Billing
Taken from the NZ Herald.
Seven days in the life of the actress and gospel singer.
Friday night drinks?
Begin at mine, starting with a cocktail featuring Raspberry and Lemon Drop by 26000 Vodka, apple vodka, lemon juice, sugar syrup and crushed ice.
Where I'll be wearing my new:
Simple shift top that I whipped up, hot Italian hosiery, the Ego-Inflators (fold-over, black, Puss-In-Boots boots) and jewels by Andrew Swann.
And this weekend I'm planning on:
Not setting my alarm and then not doing much.
My favourite cafe is:
The Corner Cafe in Pt Chevalier. Excellent coffee and scones and staff that make you feel like family.
Saturday evening. If my dreams came true there would be a gig by:
Eva Cassidy, Joni Mitchell, India Arie, L.A. Mitchell, Roberta Flack, Billie Holiday, Joan As Policewoman, Florence Welsh and Cleo Laine with the APO.
On my stero/headphones right now is:
Stuff from my random collection that I haven't listened to for years, especially classical music.
The books I can't put down are:
Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite by Paul Arden, The Alchemist by Paulo Coehlo and La Bella Lingua by Dianne Hales.
The TV show I take the phone off the hook for:
Are you kidding me? Shortland Street.
The movie I've been dying to see is:
Inception (again, at Imax this time).
A non-cooking Monday night means takeaways from:
Handmade Burgers in Kingsland.
Or a splash-out Wednesday night restaurant:
It would have to be understated and Italian.
Shortland Street star Amanda Billing is part of the Jubilation Gospel Choir which is performing at the Montecristo Room on Saturday night.
Panic at Rock Island
GIBSON GROUP AND GOALPOST PICTURES
(in production)
TVNZ and NZ On Air are delighted to announce the commissioning of the telemovie, Panic at Rock Island. A joint venture between Wellington's Gibson Group and Sydney's Goalpost Pictures, the telemovie is for Channel 9 in Australia and TV2 in New Zealand. Panic at Rock Island will star top Kiwi talent Grant Bowler (True Blood, Ugly Betty, Outrageous Fortune), Simone Kessell (Stickmen, Underbelly: A Tale of Two Cities) and Anna Hutchison (Go Girls). It will also feature performances by top New Zealand acts Smashproof and Gin Wigmore.
TVNZ General Manager of Programming Jane Wilson says: "We are thrilled to be bringing viewers this quality production and commend Gibson Group and Goalpost Pictures on this successful partnership."
NZ On Air Chief Executive Jane Wrightson notes New Zealand and Australia co-productions are relatively rare and praises the producers. "It's great when our two countries can cooperate to make drama" says Ms Wrightson. "Finding the right story is often hard, but well worth it when different stories can be told in such a cost-effectve way."
Panic At Rock Island is set on an island in the spectacular Sydney Harbour. Under the hot summer sun, a line-up of top acts play for music fans from across the world. All is idyllic - until unimaginable disaster strikes! A deadly virus is discovered on Rock Island. Its symptoms are shocking and death is swift and painful.
The telemovie will be directed by Australian Tony Tilse (Underbelly, Scorched) and will be co-produced by Tilse, Rosemary Blight from Goalpost Pictures and Dave Gibson from Gibson Group. Easternlight Films is handling worldwide distribution and the telemovie is being made with support from Screen Australia, Screen NSW, NZ On Air and Export Finance Insurance Corporation.
The cast will also feature young New Zealand actors Zoe Cramond and Eli Kent.
2010 Qantas Film Awards Finalists
The film finalists have been announced for this year's Qantas Film & Television awards.
Both film and television awards will be presented together at a red-carpet event on September 18.
General Film finalists include the below. For a full list of film finalists see www.qantasfilmandtelevisionawards.co.nz.
Best Feature Film
Boy - Ainsley Gardiner, Whenua Films
Home by Christmas - Gaylene Preston, Sue Rogers & Nigel Hutchinson, Doublehead Films
Under the Mountain - Richard Fletcher, Matthew Grainger & Jonathan King, Redhead Films
Best Director in a Feature Film
Gaylene Preston - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Stephen Sinclair - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
Taika Waititi - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Lead Actor in a Feature Film
Tony Barry - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Stephen Papps - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
James Rolleston - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Lead Actress in a Feature Film
Alison Bruce - Life's A Riot, Riot Productions
Vera Farmiga - The Vintner's Luck, Ascension Film Ltd
Elena Stejko - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
Best Supporting Actor in a Feature Film
Te Aho Eketone-Whitu - Boy, Whenua Films
Sam Neill - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
Taika Waititi - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Supporting Actress in a Feature Film
Keisha Castle-Hughes - The Vintner's Luck, Ascension Film Ltd
Tina Cleary - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Stephanie Tauevihi - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
Best Screenplay for a Feature Film
Dean Parker - Life's A Riot, Riot Productions
Gaylene Preston - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Taika Waititi - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Cinematography in a Feature Film
Alun Bollinger - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Adam Clark - Boy, Whenua Films
Denis Lenoir - The Vintner's Luck, Ascension Film Ltd
Best Editing in a Feature Film
Chris Plummer - Boy, Whenua Films
Ken Sparks - Life's A Riot, Riot Productions
Paul Sutorius - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Best Original Music in a Feature Film
Lukasz Buda, Samuel Scott & Conrad Wedde - Boy, Whenua FIlms
Victoria Kelly - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
David Long & Stephen Gallagher - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
Best Sound Design in a Feature Film
Tim Prebble, Gethin Creagh & Gilbert Lake - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
Tim Prebble, Ken Saville, Michael Hedges & Gethin Creagh - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Ken Saville, Tim Prebble, Chris Todd, Michael Hedges & Gilbert Lake - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Production Design in a Feature Film
Ralph Davies - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
Grant Major - The Vintner's Luke, Ascension Film Ltd
Shayne Radford - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Costume Design in a Feature Film
Leslie Burkes-Harding - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Amanda Neale - Boy, Whenua Films
Beatrix Pasztor - The Vintner's Luck, Ascension Fims Ltd
Best Make-Up Design in a Feature Film
Steve Boyle & Jane O'Kane - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
Angela Mooar - Home by Christmas, Doublehead Films
Dannelle Satherley - Boy, Whenua Films
Best Visual Effects in a Feature Film
Charlie McClellan - Under the Mountain, Redhead Films Ltd
Park Road Post - Russian Snark, Godzone Pictures
George Ritchie - The Vintner's Luck, Ascension Film Ltd
Best Short Film
Zoe McIntosh - Day Trip, Lone Pine Film
Sam Peacocke - Manurewa, Robber's Dog Films Ltd
thedownlowconcept - Only Son, thedownlowconcept featuring Josh Thomson, Elizabeth McGlinn & Andrew Munro
Best Performance for a Short Film
Tuhoe Isaac - Day Trip, Lone Pine Film
Aaron McGregor - Choice Night, BOP Film
Josh Thomson - Only Sob, thedownlowconcept
Best Screenplay for a Short Film
Sam Peacocke - Manurewa, Robber's Dog Films Ltd
Paul Stanley Ward - Choice night, POP Film
thedownlowconcept - Ryan Hutchings, jarrod Holt, Nigel McCulloch - Only Son, thedownlowconcept featuring Josh Thomson, Elizabeth McGlinn & Andrew Munro
Outstanding Technical Contribution to a Short Film
Robert Key - Roof Rattling, Robin Murphy Productions Ltd
Ginny Loane - Redemption, Isola Productions Ltd
Gareth Moon, Jodie Stack, Chris Ulutupu & Kate Logan - Day Trip, Lone Pine Film
2010 Qantas Television Awards Finalists
The television finalists have been announced for this year's Qantas Film & Television awards.
Both film and television awards will be presented together at a red-carpet event on September 18.
General Television finalists include the below. For a full list of television finalists see www.qantasfilmandtelevisionawards.co.nz.
Images and Sound Best Drama Programme
The Cult - Rachel Gardner, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV 2)
Go Girls - South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Outrageous Fortune - South Pacific Pictures (TV3) featuring Antony Starr, Roz Turnbull, Wesley Dowdell and many more
Best Comedy Programme
7 Days - Jon Bridges & thedownlowconcept (TV3) featuring Jeremy Elwood.
The Jaquie Brown Diaries - Jaquie Brown, Gerard Johnstone, Young, Gifted & Brown (TV3)
Pulp Sport - Jamie Linehan & Ben Boyce, Shonky Productions (TV3)
Best Maori Language Programme in association with Te Taurawhiri I Te Reo Maori and Te Mangai Paho
AKO - Jeni-Leigh Walker & Pania Papa (Maori Television)
E Tu Kahikatea - TeNoni Ltd (Maori Television)
Moteatea - Hinewehi Mohi (Maori Television)
Qantas Cure Kids Best Children's/Youth Programme
Eco Rat Trap - Luke Nola and Friends Ltd (TV2)
Kaitangata Twitch - Christopher Hampson Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Reservoir Hill - KHF Media (TV2)
Best Entertainment Programme
Good Morning 'Sir Howard Morrison Special' - Sally-Anne Kerr, TVNZ (TV One)
Homai Te Pakipaki - Homai Te Pakipaki (Maori Television)
The Topp Twins & The APO - Arwen O'Connor, Satellite Media (TV3)
Best Performance by an Actress - General Television
Danielle Cormack - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Kate Elliott - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Siobhan Marshall - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV 3)
Best Performance by a Supporting Actress - General Television
Lisa Chappell - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Chelsie Preston Crayford - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Miriama Smith - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Best Performance by an Actor - General Television
Latham Gaines - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
George Henare - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Kirk Torrance - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Best Performance by a Supporting Actor - General Television
Grant Bowler - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Matt Whelan - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures, (TV2)
Scott Wills - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Best Script - Drama/Comedy Programme
Michael Bennett - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
James Griffin - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Rachel Lang - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures, (TV2)
Images and Sound Best Director - Drama/Comedy Programme
Peter Burger - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures (TV2)
Gerard Johnstone - The Jaquie Brown Diaries, Young, Gifted and Brown (TV3)
David Stubbs & Thomas Robins - Reservoir Hill, KHF Media Ltd (TV2)
Best Director - Factual/Entertainment Programme
Jane Andrews - Radar's Patch, JAM TV (TV One)
Melanie Rakena - South, JAM TV Ltd (TV One)
Belinda Simpson - Intrepid Journeys (TV One)
Best Cinematography - Drama/Comedy Programme
David Paul - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Simon Reira - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Marty Smith - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Images & Sound Best Editing - Drama/Comedy Programme
Eric de Beus - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Bryan Shaw - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Mark Taylor - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures (TV2)
Best Original Music in General Television
Gareth Farr - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Eden Mulholland - World Kitchen, Zoomslide Media Ltd (TV3)
Rhian Sheehan - The Cult, Great Southern Television Ltd (TV2)
Best Sound Design in General Television
Tom Miskin, James Hayday & Steve Finnigan - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed.TV (Maori Television)
Tom Miskin, Steve Finnigan - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures (TV2)
Carl Smith - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Best Production Design in General Television
Clayton Ercolano - Outrageous Fortune, South Pacific Pictures (TV3)
Gary Mackay - Kaitangata Twitch, Production Shed (Maori Television)
Gary Mackay - Go Girls, South Pacific Pictures (TV2)