A year of OMG productions
Lynn Freeman
IT’S an open secret that I’ve been talking about retiring from theatre reviewing. It’s been 17 years, give or take, and trying to keep your work sounding fresh and coming up with previously unused adjectives gets harder.
There were a couple of lean years, where those OMG moments were too few and far between. Then along comes 2011, and half way through the year, things go crazy with OMG productions. I thought August: Osage Orange County at Circa was going to be the one to beat. Then comes When the Rain Stops Falling, which was so wonderfully layered and performed I was happy to see it twice.
I, George Nepia and On the Upside Down of the World were outstanding examples of the power of solo shows.
The Tinderbox wrapped up a memorable year of the theatre for me with the proverbial bang, thanks Eli Kent and your exquisite cast.
When the Rain Stops Falling, for the record, was my pick of Production of the Year, with no disrespect to the other two finalists.
Every year at least one production divides the judges of the Chapman Tripp Awards, this year it was The Spy Who Wouldn’t Die Again.
There have been notable ups and downs for the three main theatres. Downstage going black, essentially, is a big concern. Circa was unhappy, understandably, about getting less money from CNZ. Bats was worried it would lose its home but Fran and Peter came to the rescue and all is well.
Audiences are still too small, even Roger Hall’s name didn’t ensure sold out houses and the Rugby World Cup Real Festival didn’t produce the expected hordes - though perhaps also some poor choices of plays were made on reflection.
After a splendid year, and with the Festival of the Arts promising many delights next year, I’m not retiring just yet.
- Lynn Freeman
There were a couple of lean years, where those OMG moments were too few and far between. Then along comes 2011, and half way through the year, things go crazy with OMG productions. I thought August: Osage Orange County at Circa was going to be the one to beat. Then comes When the Rain Stops Falling, which was so wonderfully layered and performed I was happy to see it twice.
I, George Nepia and On the Upside Down of the World were outstanding examples of the power of solo shows.
The Tinderbox wrapped up a memorable year of the theatre for me with the proverbial bang, thanks Eli Kent and your exquisite cast.
When the Rain Stops Falling, for the record, was my pick of Production of the Year, with no disrespect to the other two finalists.
Every year at least one production divides the judges of the Chapman Tripp Awards, this year it was The Spy Who Wouldn’t Die Again.
There have been notable ups and downs for the three main theatres. Downstage going black, essentially, is a big concern. Circa was unhappy, understandably, about getting less money from CNZ. Bats was worried it would lose its home but Fran and Peter came to the rescue and all is well.
Audiences are still too small, even Roger Hall’s name didn’t ensure sold out houses and the Rugby World Cup Real Festival didn’t produce the expected hordes - though perhaps also some poor choices of plays were made on reflection.
After a splendid year, and with the Festival of the Arts promising many delights next year, I’m not retiring just yet.
- Lynn Freeman
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