KEY POINTS:
Maui: One Man Against the Gods
Venue: Civic Theatre Season ends: April 29
The heroic deeds of our most notorious troublemaker are brought to life in this spectacular staging of the legends of Maui, energised by an explosive fusion of genres, in which aerial theatre and contemporary dance collide with kapa haka and waiata to create a stunning evocation of the world of Maori mythology.
The show's creator and artistic director, Tanemahuta Gray, shows a lively visual imagination in a series of tableaux that clearly delineate the key moments of Maui's career. Highlights include a wildly energetic taiaha battle, the slapstick clowning of Maui's brothers and a moving lament from Maui's earthly mother, Taranga. The innumerable versions of the Maui myths present an enormous challenge for the play's writers, who have focused on the three most-famous exploits - taming the sun, stealing fire from the gods, and fishing up land. The darker elements of the Maui myth are not represented but that should not cloud the achievement or sheer entertainment value of this spectacular show.
OTHERS
Caustic
Musgrove Studio, Maidment Theatre, 8 Alfred St, to May 5
Why Me?
Dolphin Theatre, 12 Spring St, Onehunga, to May 12, ph 636 7322
Up Close Out Loud
Concert Chamber, Auckland Town Hall, Queen St, Apr 30-May 6, tickets at Ticketek
The Best of Flip the Script
Limelight, Aotea Centre, Queen St, Apr 30-May 5, free
Some Girls
Silo Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, May 16-Jun 16, tickets at Ticketmaster
Hushabye Mountain
Maidment Studio, 8 Alfred St, ph 308 2383, May 16-Jun 2
You Can't Take It With You
The PumpHouse, Takapuna, May 17-26, tickets at tix.co.nz
Who Wants to be 100? Anyone Who's 99
SkyCity Theatre, Hobson St, Jun 7-30, tickets at Ticketek
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
