Basement Theatre
It wouldn't be Christmas without the annual Basement Theatre silly season show and this year it's a cracker. Internationally acclaimed comedians Rose Matafeo and Alice Snedden have joined forces with director Leon Wadham and funny girls and guy Jodie Rimmer, Brynley Stent, Kura Forrester and Byron Coll to take us back to the summer of '97 when staff at the Go Away Travel agency are getting ready to (Christmas) party but, unbeknown to them, the agency's charismatic yet inept leader harbours a dark secret that threatens to derail the celebrations! What will they do? Whatever action they take, they'll be aided and abetted by a rotating cast of special guest celebrities from our favourite movies, TV and stage shows.
Work Do, Basement Theatre, tonight – until Friday, December 21
The Auckland Performing Arts Centre
Meanwhile, some might say there's not a whole lot of difference between Christmas and horror – so drag artist Leidy Lei is going with this theme in a show that challenges five drag artists to each create two numbers that embody the themes of Christmas and horror. They're here to sleigh with a night that includes photo opportunities and spot prizes for whoever is dressed best to match the theme.
Tainted Nightmare: The Christmas Season, TAPAC, tonight and tomorrow
Auckland Town Hall:
You'd have to have been living in a remote off-grid community without Wi-Fi to have missed the fact that 2018 marks 125 years of women's suffrage in New Zealand. While we celebrated in September, when women's right to vote was granted, it's 100 years ago this month that NZ women actually voted for the first time in an election. That's something to sing about – which is what the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra does when it brings together its musicians with conductor Tianyi Lu, pianist Modi Deng, violinist Amalia Hall and Tiny Ruins to perform music by classical and contemporary female composers. The concert, in association with Auckland Museum, also includes multi-media imagery and the spoken word with contributions from other prominent NZ women, including poet laureate Selina Tusitala Marsh, Georgina Beyer and Dr Siouxsie Wiles.
APO – A Woman's Place, Auckland Town Hall, tonight
Corban Estate Arts Centre
This weekend Salmonella Dub are back. They're stepping out as the Salmonella Dub Soundsystem for their first Auckland show in 10 years. New Zealand's own paved a uniquely distinctive and thrilling musical path and are back with a brand new single. They're playing at the second year of The Eclectic Garden, a family-friendly boutique music and arts festival. The event is BYO beer and wine and a day/night experience held outdoors on lush inviting lawns. Children 14 and under free so why not make it a family affair.
