What: Menagerie a Trois
Where: Theatre HB, Playhouse Theatre, Hastings St, Hastings.
When: July 20 to 29, 7.30pm.
Reviewed by: Keith Russell.
Derived from the French, the word menagerie is often used to describe a collection of unusual animals and Theatre HB's mid-winter production of three one act plays certainly lives up to this meaning, a more diverse collection you would not find.
A Dog's Life, written by English playwright Pam Valentine, thoughtfully brought to life by director Sandra Alsleben, gives an insight into the humour and pathos of life in a dog shelter, of love and loyalty as told by the canines themselves when a human calls looking to adopt.
Ross Kennedy gave a tear jerking portrayal of love and loyalty and Jack Garvey brought to life a food obsessed puppy with much to learn.
Bobbie Seymour highlighted our preconception of a spoilt diva, while Gerard Cook cleverly expressed our antagonism towards domineering individuals.
The second offering would definitely rate as the most unusual selection of the evening. Threatened Panda Fights Back by New Zealand playwright Rex McGregor is so far out in left field that I would rate it as one of the most "in" shows I have ever seen.