by tashmcgill | Jun 18, 2014 | Girl About Town, Lifestyle
Little girls have still got a lot to teach the world. They’ve got their own special brand of magic, to be applied liberally. In the case of Little Orphan Annie, she’s been touching hearts and brightening the outlook since 1924. How can she still be relevant?
Annie, the musical, is playing at The Civic in Auckland until July 6th.The redheaded bubble of optimism makes her way onto the stage with class and a vibrant cast of recognizable faces. The British cast and local chorus bring the story to life with appropriate intensity and execution. It’s really worth heading along to see.
Why is it worth seeing?
The music is great, the songs well executed and the stunning ensemble of orphans will melt your heart – pulling off the more complex and adorable song and dance routines.
More importantly though, you should go and see this show to remember what the human spirit is all about. The political dial is turning up in this election year, and Annie is a story about politics.
Front and centre of the musical (more so than the film, both were distinct productions) is a singular storyline given multiple expressions. One human being doing good for another human being. Human beings in power taking on a responsibility to do good, rather than to simply govern. Those with a lot, trying their best to give in meaningful ways.
A group of Hooverites living in a shantytown feeding a little vagabond girl from their own scraps.
FDR recommitting the government to getting people back to work; Democrats and Republicans working hand in hand.
Oliver Warbucks opening his home and life to a little girl with nothing.
The original Little Orphan Annie was a comic strip created in 1924. An orphan girl caught in the midst of the post-war slide into Depression (the musical and film both catch up with Annie in the early ’30s). Her optimism and hope is the captured human expression of what the American government (Roosevelt and his New Deal) were committed to offering a desperate people.
It’s important to remember that the bigger, human scale story of Annie is about how we find hope in each other and ought to look to tomorrow as a world of possibilities. It’s also a pertinent reminder that sometimes things work out just fine, despite not turning out how you’d like them too.
Don’t be fooled into just singing along. This story should be shaping your view of the world this year.
by tashmcgill | Jun 6, 2014 | Girl About Town, Lifestyle
Life rolls from one season to the next; each with it’s special mix of cocktail functions, theatre engagements, restaurant openings and festivals to attend. Then there are the weddings, engagement and birthday party invitations that (with good etiquette) include the inevitable “Plus One”.
I’m lucky enough to have been a Plus One on more than a few occasions thanks to a broad range of friends with diverse interests in the arts, culture and hospitality. It’s really an honour to receive an invitation, let alone a repeat one! I also get my fair share of Plus Ones to share with friends and family.
And Guest.
There is an art to both choosing and being a Plus One. Some of these simple tips are straight good manners and others are the little things that make a difference (especially for repeat invitations).
The Golden Guidelines. (more…)
by tashmcgill | Sep 24, 2013 | Girl About Town, Lifestyle
If you’ve ever
…. wondered about how the Wicked Witch of the West became so wicked, or if Glinda the Good was really … well, good….
…. felt like the odd one out in the crowd and struggled to find your place in the world….
…. experienced friendship that seemed against the odds and been changed for the better by knowing someone else….
…. and isn’t that everybody?
Then Wicked is the captivating, thrillifying musical you must experience during it’s all-star run at Auckland’s Civic Theatre. 
(more…)
by tashmcgill | Aug 8, 2013 | Girl About Town, Lifestyle
Great shows are like beloved old friends – you can watch them over and over with fresh nuance and joy each time. This is exactly how I feel about Stomp!, which opened in Auckland on Tuesday for a short season (August 6th – 11th).
My love of this show knows no bounds, so it was a treat to catch opening night in the refurbished Aotea Centre (Yes, I know that the refurb was completed ages ago in theatre time). From the opening lone ranger on stage, breathtakingly barrel chested with personality oozing from his endearing face, to the could’ve-dropped-straight-from-Comic-Con long-haired pop punk and fiesty, pint sized wild woman – this is the show that proves, without instruments or words, that rhythm and music are the international language. These 8 performers also go a long way to proving that anyone can dance, make music or stomp. Audience participation is at a high.
Of course, I’m not sure I could achieve the rhythmic glory this cast does given just a paint can, dusty broom or trash can lid! But it’s refreshing to see dance theatre so brilliantly performed by a motley yet mesmerizing crew of short, tall, stocky, skinny, muscular and in-between characters that engage the audience from the opening broom to the closing applause of this almost 2 hour ride.
Photo: Ian Vincent (Stomp!) in Aotea Square. Photo by Oliver Rosser.
Here are the Top 5 reasons you should swoop up tickets for this weekend; whether you’ve seen the show 3 times or never!
- This edition of Stomp! is packed full of new rhythms, routines, tricks and interpretations of modern music with tonal and visual humour on full speed.
- It’s FUNNY. So funny. Laugh out loud in all the unexpected places, funny! The engagement of performers with audience is so genuine that on opening night even the lone heckler proved how unique each audience makes the show. Skip your ab workout, seriously.
- There’s another Kiwi in this edition. Last time, ex-Supergroove drummer Paully Russell made the hometown crowd proud. This time around, Ian Vincent, a drummer and dancer that hails from Te Awamutu, owns the stage with a hat-tip to Pacific Island dance and distinctive tattoos (on equally distinctive arms!).
- Sometimes the smallest and most everyday of objects makes for a wonder. 8 cigarette lighters making light and music in the darkened theatre is a spectacle.
- 22 years and 15 million audience members have seen the show so far – you don’t want to miss out.
Tickets are still available from The Edge Events Centre
by tashmcgill | Oct 19, 2012 | Girl About Town, Lifestyle
“But how did they do that? And what about that house, how does it go up and down?”
Leaning forward on the edge of her seat, Ryder (aged 7) is wide-eyed, soaking up every detail.
It started just outside the doors of the magnificent Civic. Having indulged in a sweet treat gelato from next door, we watched the queues of rag-tag and beautiful celebrities and regular folk approaching the red carpet. My glamour girl companion can turn it on with the best of them, so we photo-called with Norrie before entering the Wonder Palace for the official opening of the New Zealand season of Mary Poppins.
As with any show at the Civic (don’t worry, I’ll get to the magic of Mary Poppins shortly!), the joy begins with entering that decadent foyer, looking up at the chandeliers and climbing the staircase. Along the way, I point out carved elephants with small, shining details and before too long, Ryder has taken over the tour, pointing out the parts that catch her eye.
My philosophical statement is that wherever possible, kids should have the opportunity to experience theatre like this – other-worldly surroundings, amazing production and a truly beautiful show while they are young enough to be enchanted with how it all happens, believing in the magic for just a little while. (more…)
by tashmcgill | Oct 18, 2012 | Food & Drink, Girl About Town, Lifestyle
Ever wondered what the ‘cup of kindness’ Robert Burns referred to was? You don’t have to dig too deep into your dialects to realize he’s toasting his lifelong kinship and brotherhood with a glass of fine amber gold, otherwise known as whisky. As far as lasting tributes to the great Scottish tradition, it’s hard to compete with the likes of Burns or even Iain Banks who wooed us to the great misty world of Scottish distilleries in ‘Raw Spirit’. But, Ken Loach has done a remarkable job with a low-budget but perfectly formed film. It will touch on all aspects of your humanity and most importantly, it makes a hero of great whisky.
For auld lang syne, my dear,
For auld land syne
We’ll tak a cup o’ kindness yet
For auld lang syne. (more…)
