Life in New Zealand: The Svens deliver an orchestral and cinematic interpretation of Kiwi life, gone wrong.
It's all happening, Wellington! The NZ Festival and the Fringe Festival have hit town, and our wish lists are overflowing with high and low culture goodness. We've picked some big hits for the weekend, from an orchestral history of New Zealand to the touching comedy Te Pō. Enjoy!
1) Sven Olsen Goes to the Movies at Nga Taonga Sound & Vision
This is a rare chance to catch Wellington pop orchestra The Sven Olsen Brutal Canadian Love Saga. This 16 to 20 piece band will perform an hour-long set of songs from their acclaimed alternative history of New Zealand, The Almanac. The material covers the many ways that life can go wrong in New Zealand, from car crashes to scrub fires. It's New Zealand life at its rawest, with lush strings, a choir and a kaleidoscopic, multimedia backdrop of images and local film footage triggered by the material in the songs. Tickets are just $9 here.
2) The ACB With Honora Lee at Circa Theatre
This theatrical adaptation of a YA novel by favourite NZ author Kate De Goldi is a charming exploration of kindness, patience and acceptance. It follows the relationship between young Perry and her eccentric Gran, Honora Lee, who’s losing her memory. As more and more words slip from Gran’s grasp, Perry furiously gathers them up, turning them into an illustrated and disorderly alphabet book, which becomes a gift of love to her grandmother. Book via the NZ Festival.
3) The Loose Dick Kiddies Show at BATS Theatre
Warning: Not an actual kiddie's show. The Loose Dick Kiddies Show pays tribute to 1970s children's TV shows such as Playschool and Rainbow - but with adult themes, social criticism and coarse language. It is hosted by Lucy, a teacher by day and a stripper by night, and failed actor Richard who has addictions and demons. Book at BATS.
4) Te Pō at Soundings Theatre, Te Papa
Te Pō is an eloquent and out-of-the-box "comedy about grief" that is getting rave reviews - Metro's Simon Wilson called it "flawless". It's a play about a playwright, Bruce Mason, but you don't need to be familiar with his works to identify with the search for someone you have loved and lost, and finding them again. Featuring some huge and beautiful animal puppets, it's a highly original show that offers a unique view of the world. Book via the NZ Festival.
5) For The Birds at Otari-Wilton's Bush
As dusk falls, gather the whānau together for an adventure in the native forest of Otari-Wilton’s Bush reserve. This enchanting walk-through art features ingenious use of light, sound and moving sculpture to celebrate our native birdlife and song. Children will love this! Buy tickets here.
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