22 May 2012

Perfect Christmas gift

Lynn Freeman

30/11/2011 10:32:00 a.m.

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Tinderbox, Directed by Eleanor Bishop, Bats Theatre, November 25, Reviewed by Lynn Freeman
Fri 25 Nov
Dear Santa
IF you can’t give me world peace for Christmas, could I please have a play that reminds people about the futility of war and of the consequences of our individual choices.  Perhaps it could make us question what defines a hero, that being a word the media throws around a lot  these days. Because I have been a very good critic this year, could it please be written by an outstanding young playwright, directed by someone up to the many wonderful challenges his scripts present, and performed by a supremely talented ensemble?  I know I’m pushing it now, but how about a music score that’s unforgettable and an ingenious set.

Sun 27 Nov
Dear Santa
You are the man! Thank you for Tinderbox. It ticked all my boxes and then some.  
Eli Kent cements his reputation as a writer with tremendous vision and originality with Tinderbox, which he’s based on the Hans Christian Andersen story.  To  tell the story of the soldier who is offered the chance to become the man he could be but with terrible strings attached, Kent, genius director Eleanor Bishop and everyone involved use projection (simple but so effective), puppetry, foley sound and deceptively simple techniques to bring the story alive.
Richard Dey captures the conflicted, guilt ridden soldier perfectly, and in the other central role Erin Banks brings warmth and strength to her role of his unconventional love interest, Elvira. Gareth Hobbs, Robin Kerr and Leon Wadham play a myriad of roles, brilliantly. Together, they move like dancers in their gasmasks as the pack of dogs from hell and are genuinely terrifying.  Gareth Hobb’s music Alice Hill’s set and costume designs and Marcus McShane’s lighting are all critical elements to this play’s success.
Tinderbox runs two hours without a break, it’s intense, beautiful, strange and haunting.  And it’s a work in development!
Thank you Playground Collective for this perfect Christmas gift. You’ve given me a lot to think about.
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Cover Story

Best of Wellington 2011

Briefs

  • A question of nutrition

    Controversial Washington-based nutritionist Sally Fallon-Morell is to speak in Wellington on March 29.
    Fallon-Morell is the co-founder of the American food lobby group the Weston A. Price Foundation and the author of Nourishing Traditions. She advocates for the consumption of nutritionally dense foods such as lacto-fermented vegetables, stocks and broths, and whole raw dairy products.
    Fallon-Morell will speak at St Patrick’s College Hall on March 29.

  • Relay for cancer

    Organisers say Sunday’s Relay for Life is full to capacity with hundreds of Wellingtonians registered for the event.
    A total of 88 teams, made up of 10 to 500 members, plan to take part with a further 25 teams on the waiting list.
    The 24 hour relay, the Cancer Society’s biggest fundraising event of the year, takes place at Frank Kitts Park from 4pm on March 31.

  • Osteoarthritis awareness

    Arthritis New Zealand has launched a nationwide campaign raise awareness about osteoarthritis. 
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    The campaign features television commercials and an interactive website.


  • Wild walk

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    Walkers can choose a two, five or 10 kilometre walk catering to all fitness levels.
    Money raised will go to the Foundation for Youth Development.

  • School pool

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    The pool was the first to receive a grant from Wellington City Council’s Schools Pools Partnership Fund, a fund set up in 2010 to help schools improve their pool facilities.
    Grants from the fund have also been made for pools at Wellington East Girls’ College, Barhampore School and Tawa School.

  • Easter bikers

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    The charity run on April 1 is organised by motorcycle lobby group BONZ.
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  • Crafty

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  • Ze upgrade

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  • Newlands Moves

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  • Baring Head

    There's a new  draft plan out for what should happen at Baring Head.  It outlines how the Greater Wellington Regional council would like to manage the newest addition to its regional parks network. Grazing animals will go, motorised vehicles will be prohibited, predators will be controlled, and the lighthouse will be preserved. Submissions are invited.


  • It’s a wonder

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  • Festival treats

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    For a perfect first theatrical experience White tells the story of friends Cotton and Winkle who live in a world where there is no colour and everything is startlingly white. That is until a brightly coloured egg tumbles out of the sky and changes their world for ever.
    White plays at Capital E from March 7-11.
    The tale of Peter and the World also promises to be a magical night for all ages. Sergei Prokofiev’s classic children’s tale is told through film and live music from the NZ Symphony Orchestra at the Michael Fowler Centre on March 9.
    March 11 is Young Writers and Readers Day and readings from children’s writers and illustrators Lynley Dodd and Gavin Bishop.

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