Performers from circus act Limbo. Photo / Jamie Williams
Elisabeth Easther takes a look at the Auckland Arts Festival’s crowd-pleasers and finds plenty to both amuse and delight.
It kicked off with a bang, and for the next two weeks, across Auckland, more than 100 world class shows - local and international - will astound and entertain. Festival director Carla van Zon says: "We believe the arts can change lives, opinions and are inspirational for children. They see and hear things that are outside their everyday existence and allow them to experience a world of unlimited possibilities." So the curators have picked some beauties for younger audiences. It can be a bit overwhelming to figure out what to see so here's our pick of the more family-friendly fare.
White Night - Trip the Light Fantastic
One of the highlights of the last festival, an estimated 22,000 visitors were delighted by spectacles at 81 locations across the city for White Night. This year more than 100 locations from Devonport to Otara will switch on art, dance, music, poetry and video events. It will be easy to find your way around, with free buses and a new app (available at aaf.co.nz). Highlights include the return of last year's favourites the New Zealand Trio at Auckland Art Gallery and Indian theatre company Prayas at the Maritime Museum, while Java Dance Company display their talent with a show on the museum's pontoons. The Java crew will also perform on the bus trip to the Mangere Arts Centre where there will be a presentation by former US Black Panther Party Minister of Culture, Emory Douglas. Events also pop up at Silo Park, Auckland Museum, New Lynn (experimental marching bands!) Parnell, Remuera, Northcote and Devonport. As one of last year's satisfied punters put it, "it makes you fall in love with your city again".
Saturday, March 14, 6-12pm, Auckland-wide.
With music, dancing, poetry, workshops and spectacles galore, the family day is an explosion of fun. Nanogirl (aka Dr Michelle Dickson), famous for making science cool, brings her clever stunts to Aotea Square and Osadia, Spain's psychedelic hairdressers, will hold you spellbound with their transformative street performances. Local talent includes young musicians showcasing original songs with the Auckland Philharmonic Orchestra, plus mime Fraser Hooper will put on two cracking shows. Take part in the family clown workshop, lend your hands to a large-scale sculpture, collaborate with garden artist Martin Awa Clark Langdon in the Tioka Toi Garden or simply while away an hour or two among the beautiful colours of the Fale Ula flowers. And if that isn't enough, Identity Dance Crew will demonstrate why they're world champions.
Sunday, March 22, 10.30am-3.30pm. TimeOut Festival Garden, Aotea Square.
Jazzamatazz
Last year in Edinburgh, Ali McGregor and her band had tiny toes tapping thanks to their energy, charisma and musicality. McGregor was accustomed to entertaining adults with jazz, opera and burlesque, but when she became a mother she created a show for a younger audience and unleashed a musical riot. "Having children of my own and going to a lot of festival kids' shows, I realised there wasn't much around that all generations of a family could enjoy. Plus my daughter loved coming to my evening shows, seeing me all dressed up and hearing the band. I wanted to give her that experience in a daytime show. And kids are so open to new experiences, they dance with abandon, sing out loud, stomp their feet when they're asked. It's extremely liberating to leave your adult worries at the door and jump around to good music." Jazzamatazz is the perfect way to introduce young ears to rock 'n' roll, swing and jive but be warned, this will sell out.
For kids 0-7 (and anyone with a pulse). Today, tomorrow, 10.30am, 12.30pm. Festival Club, Aotea Square. Tickets: $12-$20 (under-2s free).
Guus Kuijer's classic children's novel has been adapted for the stage by Silo Theatre. Nine-year-old Thomas Klopper lives in the unhappiest household. Unable to escape his violent father, Thomas uses his imagination to create a magical world where anything is possible. A who's who of this country's finest actors, (Mia Blake, Jennifer Ward-Lealand and Rima Te Wiata) bring this moving and emotionally charged story to life.
For everyone aged 9-90. March 14-22, various times. Q Theatre, Queen St. Tickets: $15-$49
White by Catherine Wheels
Catherine Wheels, Scotland's premiere children's theatre company, wowed audiences last time they were here with The Ballad of Pondlife McGurk. This year they'll do it again with White, the story of Cotton and Winkle, two magical friends who look after birdhouses and ensure their eggs stay safe. Living in a world as white as the eggs they care for, what will the pair do when colours start to appear? This 45-minute show will spark young imaginations, making for a brilliant first theatre experience.
For 2-4-year-olds. March 17-22, 10.30am and 1.30pm, Q Loft, Queen St. Tickets: $12-$20
Skin of Fire - Groupe F
Last festival, Groupe F set imaginations alight with The Breath of the Volcano. This year the French artists are sure to go one better, blazing trails with their use of lights, fire and pyrotechnics. Pack a picnic or take advantage of the food trucks and settle in for the evening. Great pick for location, atmosphere and spectacle.
Suitable for people of all ages, if they can stay up until 10pm. Tonight, gates open 6.45pm, show starts 9pm. Auckland Domain. Tickets: $12-$38.
Described by What's On Stage UK as "50 shades of crazy ... truly heart-stopping", this show wins five stars wherever it goes. Staged between heaven and hell, Limbo features contortions, illusions, hand balancing, sword swallowing, beatboxing and whip-cracking from top performers. The band add a few special touches of their own with a bullhorn harmonica and tuba. Seeing this show is like being defibrillated.
For daredevils over 12. Until March 22, The Festival Club at the Paradiso Spiegeltent, Aotea Square. Tickets: $69-$75
Denmark takes responsibility for this outlandish wordless extravaganza: the tale of three underpaid, overworked office workers, whose lives are being wasted in the world's saddest workplace. One day they reach breaking point, rising up against their sociopathic boss and the office goes completely bonkers with physical theatre, parkour, circus and deadpan comedy.
For children over 8 and anyone who can't sit still. March 6-10, The Civic. Tickets: $15-$65.
When he created Othello more than 500 years ago, Shakespeare wrote of betrayal, jealousy and self-doubt. Now the story has been remixed for modern audiences by The Chicago Shakespeare Theater and the legendary Q Brothers using hip-hop, rhythm and beats. MC Othello escapes the ghetto and goes straight to the top of the music industry, winning the heart of the beautiful singer Desdemona along the way. Life is sweet until hip-hop purist Iago starts making sinister waves. Come see what happens when iambic pentameter is swapped for a hip-hop beat.
March 13-16, various times. Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna. Tickets: $15-$38
This spicy concoction, a cross between a reality show and a cooking demonstration, brings the flavours of India to the theatre. A husband and wife act out their story while stirring steaming vats of payasam - a traditional Indian dessert. Twelve drummers fill the air with rhythm and the fragrance of payasam pervades the theatre, before the audience gets to share in the delicious dessert. Using more than 100kg of rice, sugar, almonds, milk, raisins, cardamom, and ghee, The Kitchen also offers up cosmic truths about the universe.
For teens, adults and foodies. March 14-18, various times. Sky City Theatre. Tickets: $40-$75
Nanogirl, our very own science superhero, dreams of flying, levitation and invisibility. She'll take her adventurous lab assistants on an unpredictable ride through science. With a background in fracture mechanics and engineering, Nanogirl (Dr Michelle Dickson) is educational, inspiring and heaps of fun.
For curious kids, and adults. Saturday March 14, 5pm. Auckland Town Hall. Tickets $14-40
Afrobeat- a combination of jazz, funk and African rhythms - was created by the legendary Nigerian Fela Kuti who used his music to criticise the country's dictators in the hopes of creating peace for his people. The concert show is billed as groove with gravity and a full-on celebration . See our interview with performer Adesola Osakalumi over the page.
March 19-22, various times. The Civic. Tickets: $35-$87
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