KEY POINTS:
Hatch or The Plight of the Penguins
Venue: Hopetoun Alpha, to April 20
Writer Geoff Chapple's trawl through the backwaters of our history has uncovered the intriguing story of Joseph Hatch, a 19th century entrepreneur who built a substantial business by extracting oil from the penguins of Macquarie Island. We encounter Hatch when his business has been closed down due to public outrage - but what seems like a straightforward story of environmental villainy is given a surprising twist with the recreation of one of the town hall meetings at which Hatch launches an eloquent defence of his enterprise.
Hatch is magnificently brought to life by Stuart Devenie in a performance that is a theatrical tour-de-force, and a man intrinsically repulsive to contemporary sensibilities is slowly transformed into a victim.
OTHERS
Tis Pity She's a Whore
Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, to Apr 7, tickets at Ticketmaster
Crossroads
Harlequin Theatre, Pakuranga Rd, to Apr 6, tickets at iTicket
The Life and Death of King John
Unitec, Carrington Rd, Pt Chev, to Apr 7, tickets at iTicket
Bare
Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Apr 12-May 12, tickets at Ticketmaster
Equus
Glen Eden Playhouse, 15 Glendale Rd, Glen Eden, Apr 12-21, tickets at iTicket
The Honey Keeper
Corban Estate Arts Centre, Henderson, Apr 12-15, tickets at iTicket
Hushabye Mountain
Maidment Studio, 8 Alfred St, ph 308 2383, Aug 23-Sep 13
You Can't Take It With You
The PumpHouse, Takapuna, May 17-26, tickets at tix.co.nz
Some Girls
Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, May 17-Jun 16, tickets at Ticketmaster
The Crucible
Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, ph 308 2383, Jul 5-28
Three Days of Rain
Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Jul 28-Aug 25, tickets at Ticketmaster
The Pillowman
Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, ph 308 2383, Aug 23-Sep 13
My Name is Gary Cooper
Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, Sep 20-Oct 13
