Caligula a stand-out performance

In yesterday's review of the year in theatre in Auckland, a technical error meant we omitted the Auckland Theatre Company's production of Caligula, which ran at the Maidment in September.

To set the record straight, reviewer John Gardner praised the show highly. "Colin McColl's clever production uses every device in the repertoire. Knock-about business, camp comedy, a strikingly successful use of video, sound, an interesting lighting plot and terrific costumes all make a contribution.

"But Caligula is almost totally dependent on its central performance. Oliver Driver is up to the task ... he introduces light and shade with virtuosity, commanding sympathy despite the mounting body count ... It is Driver, appalling and appealing, who makes this deeply serious, violently funny work a production of quality."