As the cast "wake up" at the beginning of this gentle, slow reverie, the audience settles down from busy life to watching an atmospheric dream, sweetly scored by Chris O'Connor, played by the NZTrio, and illustrated in mellow tones by the Cut Collective.
"The great question before us is are we doomed? ... Can we change in time?"
As the exclamation promises, Paniora! is a spectacle: full of dance, dust and colour.
Tony Kushner's vast portrait of Reagan's America revealed through the prism of Aids is filled with dazzling spectacle, razor-sharp humour and intimate moments.
What may well be the quintessential Kiwi love story is brought to life in an utterly charming show that has intimate family history blended with a heartfelt tribute.
Greg Dixon talks to Kiwi actress Chelsie Preston Crayford about her bohemian childhood and why she resisted going into showbiz.
This intriguing whodunnit is entertaining and excellently produced. Its pleasing twists and turns balance humour and seriousness with just the right light touch.
The underwater world proves to be the ideal environment for Red Leap's unique blend of puppetry, dance and physical theatre in Sea.
This year's Summer Shakespeare eschews the well-worn path of the familiar plays.
The politics of violence - when can it be justified? Who is capable of it? - is considered by two separate productions at The Basement.
A14th-century poet risen from the dead, an incestuous king, a hero fleeing a ruthless assassin, violent storms and shipwrecks - this is Shakespeare as Aucklanders have never seen him.
The last time actor Mick Innes was on stage he was suffering from a stroke and felt as if there was blood coming out of his eyes.
Danielle Wright goes backstage at the Annie the Musical auditions in Auckland.
Hmmm genetic anomaly? No idea where it came from. My sister dabbled in acting for a while so I wouldn't say I'm a black sheep ... but very close to it.
This Noel Coward drawing room farce is light and entertaining, and its mocking of the slut/stud double standard is still depressingly relevant, even after nearly 90 years.
Watching Victor Rodger's hit play Black Faggot gave emerging theatre writer, director and producer Bruce Brown an idea.
Otara teenager Sipa Deidoe had never been inside a theatre until he came into the Aotea Centre for a first meeting about a new arts project late last year.
The audience is in the middle of the stage action, finds Barney McDonald.
She's the pop phenomenon of 2013, scoring four Grammy nominations, the top spot on record charts around the world and hanging out with A-list stars. Ella Yelich-O'Connor talks to Alan Perrot about the biggest year of her life and her Kiwi Christmas.