A Must-See: The Intoxicating Sweeney Todd

A Must-See: The Intoxicating Sweeney Todd

The remarkable NZ Opera is a treasure of the New Zealand art and cultural landscape. There is a magic and mystique in wrapping up on dark night and entering the starlit wonderland of Auckland’s The Civic. Within these graceful walls, I’ve seen dance, theatre, film festivals, musicals and musicians. I’ve even seen a comedian or two. Listen to me truly, when I tell you that the NZ Opera run of Sweeney Todd is one of the greatest visual and musical feasts to reside at The Civic since I’ve been going to theatre. This is a must-see show with an incredibly limited season in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.

Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street – Buy tickets here

Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett. Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

Sweeney Todd and Mrs Lovett. Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

Did I always love opera? Well, yes. My sister trained as an opera singer. I’ve seen, watched, devoured and occasionally sung an ensemble chorus of my own. But Sweeney Todd isn’t just an opera. This gruesome and deeply human tale of despair and darkness comes straight from the Penny Dreadful school of Victorian horror, complete with stunt blood and razor blades.

Did I always love opera the way I do now? No. The difference is the magnificent Teddy Tahu Rhodes. One of New Zealand’s finest operatic sons, this gentle giant is one of the principals of Opera Australia but has returned home to join the cast of Sweeney Todd as the tortured barber himself. His presence onstage is captivating; the haunted Todd played with a dark and cynical edge but not without humanity. This is ultimately a story about how darkly men and women on the brink of survival will turn.

I don’t want to ruin the intricate and tragic storyline – I have stealthily avoided the film of the same name, but fake blood in opera is somehow more tolerable! So I will say this – Sweeney Todd might be best experienced completely fresh. That way, the intoxicating Rhodes will capture you from the first moment – more than his presence onstage, the chilling bass-baritone tones take you on a journey through Todd’s tragic back story. This is not a story without humour either. Antoinette Halloran brings Todd’s partner-in-crime and master seductress, Mrs. Lovett to the stage with vibrancy and deft timing.

Sweeney Todd, NZ Opera, Civic Theatre, Auckland, New Zealand, Thursday, September 15, 2016. Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

Sweeney Todd Cast Photo: David Rowland / One-Image.com

Despite a plot full of depravity, woeful twists of fate and murder (plenty of murder – sometimes three in a minute!), Sweeney Todd is full of deeply human, occasionally sweet moments and endearing characters. The protective ballad of Tobias Ragg (Joel Granger) is sad and sober, the desperation of the beggar woman tinged with comedy, delivered adeptly by the well-loved Helen Medlyn

This season is limited, the show will close in Auckland on September 24, before moving to Wellington (30 Sept – 5th Oct) and Christchurch (12th Oct – 15th Oct). And this is perhaps the most important thing – do not miss the opportunity to engage with world-class opera. The crowd was mixed – young twenty-somethings, date nights and older families out together but it always does something to my heart when I see generations together enjoying cultural traditions and expressions in new ways. A modern opera, sung in English by some of our musical treasures. The work of NZ Opera and their long-term supporters cannot be praised enough when productions of this quality are accessible to so many New Zealanders.

The details:
Sweeney Todd – The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
17 Sept – 15 Oct
Buy tickets here

A New Zealand Opera co-production with Victorian Opera, Sweeney Todd is directed by NZ Opera’s General Director, Stuart Maunder, and conducted by Benjamin Northey, Chief Conductor of the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Accompanied by the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra, Orchestra Wellington and Christchurch Symphony Orchestra. Featuring the Freemasons New Zealand Opera Ensemble

From the book by Hugh Wheeler
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
From an Adaptation by Christopher Bond
Originally Directed by Harold Prince
Originally produced on Broadway by Richard Barr, Charles Woodward, Robert Fryer, Mary Lea Johnson, Martin Richards.
In Association with Dean and Judy Manos.
By arrangement with Hal Leonard Australia Pty Ltd Exclusive agent for Music Theatre International (NY)

Thriller Live: Reliving The King Of Pop

Thriller Live: Reliving The King Of Pop

Thriller Live unashamedly celebrates the life and back catalogue of the undisputed King of Pop, Michael Jackson. When you read that the show has been playing in London’s West End since 2009, it would be easy to mistake this for a musical tribute. But it’s really not, it’s something so much more.

This slightly-over 2 hour long show sets a blistering pace through Jackson’s back catalogue from the earliest of Jackson 5 days to the iconic pop ballads us children of the 80s and 90s knew.

The iconic dance moves.

The iconic dance moves.

It’s been nearly 6 years since the icon died and I remember watching the queues of people outside the Staples Center in LA awaiting the launch of the documentary-film of what would have been his major comeback tour, “This Is It”. Last night’s atmostphere at Auckland’s Civic Theatre was almost as energising, with fans up and on their feet for all the major hits.

This really comes as no suprise – with an international cast of dancers, singers and live musicians pulling out hit after hit and storytelling along the way. Even the most devoted of us MJ fans murmured with appreciation as we recalled that Thriller spawned 7 Top 10 hits from 11 album tracks. It’s impressive even now to remember, but even more impressive to see and hear those tunes (and those dance moves) delivered with eerie precision.

The talented Mig Ayesa (Sydney-born, frequent traveller to these shores in shows like Annie) is one of 5 lead vocalists including Australian Prinnie Stevens, who rose to mainstream fame through her appearance on The Voice, but comes from a musical theatre background. It’s Manchester born Alex Buchanan that steals your breath away however. You wouldn’t even have to close your eyes to believe you were listening to the King of Pop himself, the vocal and dance performance is so bang on.

Considering how much I would have considered paying to see the comeback tour, the night was intensely moving even as I calculated there was no possible way I’d hear all my favourite tracks from a 45 year musical career. That being said, the back catalogue they managed to cover was remarkable; including my favourites Man In The Mirror, Billie Jean, Beat It and of course, Thriller.

Could there be much more perfect way to spend Friday the 13th than eagerly awaiting the iconic zombie dance number? I think not! Even the most stoic of audiences will find it hard resist tapping their feet, clapping and dancing on request from the stage. It was easy to sense the love and inspiration that Michael Jackson birthed across generations of fans; young and old and to leave a venue smiling, laughing and feeling all the best parts of nostalgia was a real treat.

The show is only playing a super short season 12 – 22 February at The Civic in Auckland, but you won’t regret grabbing tickets now and making this show a priority! Ticketing information available here.

With thanks to Auckland Live.

Mary Poppins: Practically Perfect, In Every Way

Mary Poppins: Practically Perfect, In Every Way

“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…)