Fringe Files February 11
All systems go!
Well we're on. We're running. Fringe 08 has begun.
Friday saw the first day of the monumentally massive 2008 New Zealand Fringe Festival, although quite a few shows already had a head start on the others (Sleep / Wake, we're looking at you!) and then we really kicked into gear over the weekend with a packed-to-the-gunnels gig Surfin' on the Fringe, featuring more surf rock than you could shake a tail feather at.
The other big event for Fringe Central was the launch of the All New and certainly improved Chit Chat Lounge. The Chit Chat Lounge runs every night (except for Sundays and Mondays) from 10pm at The Paramount Theatre and hosts Derek Flores and Vinyl Burns with band the Flavour of Yesterday bringing you the essential oil, the inside word and the absurd birds for all things Fringe. It's a talk show, and it's damn good. Saturday's show saw 90 people lap up the bastard child of Letterman.
Programme changes:
Change is a necessary part of life, and life is a necessary part of Fringe. A few announcements of changes for a few of our shows…
March of the Meeklings: The season now runs for three shows, Friday Feb 15 at 6pm and 8pm, and Saturday Feb 16 at 8pm. Venue is the Inverlochy Art School.
Die Henkel Spur: All shows are at 12pm and 2.30pm, not 3pm as listed in the programme.
Tahu: Tickets for this production are not through Ticketek, as was stated in the Programme. To book tickets please phone 021 138 6414. Tickets will be available on the night.
Jane Austin is Dead: Due to the 'closure' of Buena Vista Social Club, Mel Dodge's latest escapade is being held at Good Luck Bar, Cuba St (a mere stumble from the old BVSC). Dates are Sunday February 24 to Friday February 29, all at 7pm
Dash Ambrose: B Sides and Rarities: Another displacement from the BVSC closure, Dash Ambrose's acclaimed musical comedy is now on at the following times: Tuesday February 26, Wednesday 27 and Thursday 28 at 9.30pm; and Friday 29th and March 1 at 5.30pm.
21 Reasons: A shortened season after the 'disappearance' of a cast member, 21 Reasons now shows tonight February 11 through to Thursday February 14 at the Tararua Tramping Club (a 21st birthday if ever we saw one!) on Moncreiff St Mt Victoria with all shows at 10pm.
Week One, not a weak one
What good is a newsletter unless it's informative, essential and entertaining? Hmmm, ok don't answer that question…
But with the emphasis on 'informative' we bring you the week's Great Eight for 08, hand chosen by our uberlord, director Mark Westerby:
Around the World on 80 Quid
Okay, some mad Irish fiddler goes all round the world with 80 quid to his name, gets up on stage, tells a few jokes, some stories… Drugs and debauchery ensue and we all have a blarney ol' fun time. Aindrais de Stack is one of the international highlights of Fringe 08, and looks fascinating enough to have Radio NZ's Nine to Noon on as a feature guest this Wednesday (10am – listen in!). His hilarious show starts this Thursday (14th – Valentine's Day!) at Kitty O'Shea's and will be a cracker!
Spartacus R and Sound Architecture
These guys totally ruled last year with their Octophonic performance, now they're back with a new dimension – a rock concert in 3D. Teaming up with filmmaker Giles McNeil, Spartacus R present a rock concert with a 3D visual installation accompanying their psychedelic blues / folk-rock soundscapes. These guys are one of the hottest tickets in Wellington so get in quick 'cos a sell-out is on the cards. One night only, this Saturday night at the Paramount, 10.30pm. 3D glasses provided!
Fricnic and Chalk the Walk
Our annual favourite days-out in the sun are back, although this year we're invading Civic Square. Fricnic, of course, is the Fringe Festival picnic; and Chalk the Walk (presented by Creature) is our magical transformation of drab pavement into a cornucopia of colour and creativity. Great for kids! Chalk is provided. On hand for entertainment for Fricnic is NZ Idol singing star Rosita Vai, the Tap That dancers, the Legacy Dance Crew with all the freshest, flyest, Fringest dance moves this side of da Bronx, the Capital E Soundhouse Singers and folk duo Katus all the way from the UK. Get on down for the all day sun at Civic Square, this Saturday 11am to 3pm.
Curious?
Deep, dark, dirty sexual secrets. And lesbians. February 18 to 23, 7pm at Gryphon Theatre.
Tap That II
It's the comedy that's a tap dance show. Or is it the other way around? These guys completely blew the roof off their performances at the Dance Your Socks Off Festival, selling out their shows. See them now! Catch them again! February 11 to 14, 8pm @ BATS Theatre.
Reptiles “R” Us
Our cities are on the brink of an invasion by a population of giant mountainous snails! A definite Visual Arts highlight of the week, opening night is tonight from 6pm but you can catch it every day from 10am from tomorrow February 12 until Sunday February 17 at the Thistle Hall, 293 Cuba St.
Six O’clock Swill
The Swill is back, with a special Fringe edition this week on both Wednesday and Thursday nights. Your pint-sized fix of theatre this week sees productions of Neil LaBute's Bench Seat and Merge and kiwi writer Thomas P McGrath's Tie and Mirror and A Man, A Plan, A Canal – Panama. And of course Magnum: The Lost Episodes continues it's improvised malarkey. Door sales only from 5.30pm, shows start 6pm Wednesday February 13 and Thursday February 14 at the Mighty Mighty.
21 Reasons
Was your 21st Birthday a blinder, a grinder or just totally crap? Compare notes with this plucky theatre production – starting at 10pm, it's a late show so just get in there before bedtime! The venue, appropriately for 21st Birthdays, is the Tararua Tramping Club, Moncrieff St in Mt Victoria. It starts tonight February 11 through to Thursday February 14, from 10pm.
We got Txt Appeal, baby!
Our pals at Afid Mobile have come up with a crafty plan that makes you – yes, you! – the reviewer. Sign up to Fringe TXT at our website and you – yes, you! – can review the Fringe shows that you've just seen, and be in to win grouse prizes. You'll also be kept in the loop for last minute sneaky deals available exclusively to you – cheap tickets are a great way to kill a boring evening folks, so sign up and get txting.
Fringe HQ – Holdin' together
Geddit? Like, Holden HQ? Aw fuggedit. Anyway, a quick plug for Fringe HQ down at Civic Square, just look for the containers. It's the one-stop Fringe info shop, with programmes, cheap ticket deals, free entertainment and all sorts of Fringe goodness. Come visit!
Other news…
Long Cloud Youth Theatre, run by Wellington Performing Arts Centre, is calling for auditions for the 2008 intake. Long Cloud Youth Theatre is a unique training and production company for young people aged 16-20 years.
The Company gives young actors the means to enhance their theatrical skills through practical performance experience and the opportunity to work with Wellington’s foremost theatrical directors and tutors. The Company is looking for ambitious, talented and motivated 16-20 year olds who want to embark on a year-long rollercoaster ride making theatre together.
The program will be run by award winning teacher and director Willem Wassenaar. He will coordinate the actors’ journey and direct the two productions throughout the year. Auditions will be held on Friday 15 February 2008, 5pm-8pm at Wellington Performance Arts Centre, 36 Vivian Street. Applications for auditions can be downloaded from www.wpac.org.nz. Deadline for applications is Wednesday 13 February.
The Dunedin Fringe
After we've had our day in the sun, head south for more Fringe action at the Dunedin Fringe. Their show kicks off March 29 through to April 13, and features a few friends from us here at the Fringe 08, namely: Around the World on 80 Quid, Singing with the Animals, Requiem, 2 Kiwi's and a Spic and Art from Whoa to Go. Check www.dunedinfringe.org.nz for details.