via www.the-edge.co.nz Two weeks from now, I'll probably be wondering what I'm going to wear to the opening night of the opera. Macbeth isn't one of the Shakespearean plays I studied at school (we did King Lear and Hamlet), but like just about everyone, I'm familiar with the story, even if I've never seen it performed! Of course, the opera is performed in Italian, but with English surtitles so nobody will be left behind. I'm looking forward to a dramatic performance, after the comedy of The Marriage of Figaro earlier this year. I'm really glad I got one of NZ... Continue reading

Given my appalling lack of updates here since March, you may be forgiven for thinking that I've failed miserably in my aims to do at least one cultural/arty thing each month. Well, as long as you're not following me on Twitter or Facebook, where I've continued to announce these things (if only in a handful of characters). It's just that I've started a new job, and am no longer working at home (with the internet always at hand). So, what have I been up to since March? Looking back, the months seemed to have blurred, but the shows stand out.... Continue reading

On Thursday I popped along to the preview for Silo Theatre's latest offering, That Face. Starring Jennifer Ward-Leland, and a bunch of youngsters I've never seen before (but hope to again), it's a rather disturbing tale of a very dysfunctional family. And it's good. I'm really not sure what to write about this play, and not give away anything! So, I'm just going to quote the promotional material at you, another review, and tell you it is all true: Written when she was just 19, Polly Stenham's trail-blazing debut left London audiences gobsmacked, picking up every award under the sun.... Continue reading

The last time I saw a 3D movie I was unimpressed. No, it wasn't Avatar, I knew I wouldn't like that enough to warrant the effort. This was quite possibly decades ago. I can't even think what movie it was, but I remember blaming it on my glasses (and the ridiculous myopia that requires them). So, as I prepared to see Alice in Wonderland, I was ready to be disappointed, and also prepared visually. Contact lenses! I don't wear contacts often any more (I wore then full-time for 8 years before switching back to spectacles), but last Sunday I was... Continue reading

The first time I saw the trailer for Law Abiding Citizen, I turned to my movie-going friend and said "Gotta see that one!" I love a dark violent film, especially one that hints at clever plotting and manipulation. It was the same for every following time, but soon I was also expressing a hope that Jamie Foxx's character was one that met a vengeful death. Now, I'm sure he's a lovely guy, but the only reason I managed to sit through The Soloist (in which he also starred) was for the moments Robert Downey Jr was on the screen. I... Continue reading

The night before the Academy Awards, I went with a couple of friends to check out Jeff Bridges' nominated (and then winning) performance, Maggie Gyllenhaal and well, the music of Crazy Heart. I loved it! Now I've always been a fan of the flawed hero, and Bridge's Bad Blake is definitely flawed. It's a pleasure to watch him stumble through life, relationships and fly, just for a little while, when he's performing, and his pleasure in the light that Maggie Gyllenhaal's character brings. It really is an excellent, convincing, performance worthy of an award. The music is great, and the... Continue reading

p.s. In case you haven't been paying attention, you can also read about my cultural escapades over at the #smackmyarts blog. And the good news is, it's not just me! If you want to explore culture, arts, performances and associated stuff this year, join us! Continue reading

I regularly go to the movies with a group of friends, who alas, number among them those that tend to jump and squeal during tense and "scary" moments. So, it was with a more stoic friend alone that I went along to see Shutter Island! Let me start by saying that I'm not a big Leonardo Di Caprio fan, nor do I worship the ground upon which Martin Scorcese walks. And I hadn't read the book! I also love thrillers and horrors and big suspenseful cinematic moments. So, it was always going to take a lot for Shutter Island to... Continue reading

Given the lack of updates here you could be forgiven for thinking I didn't get out and about very much in the second half of February. Thanks to a sprained ankle 10 days ago, that is somewhat true, but I was lucky enough to get in a couple of movies before being resigned to a boring period of R.I.C.E. My first Film Talk session at Rialto Cinemas was for I'm Not Harry Jenson, early in the year. I really enjoyed the opportunity to lesson and question those involved with the film, so I jumped at the chance to attend the... Continue reading

The Second Test is based on the true story of the New Zealand cricket team that headed to South Africa late in 1953. This was a big year for the country - the Queen visited, Hilllary climbed Everest, and in the middle of the second cricket test in South Africa, the the Tangiwai rail disaster rocked the nation, and more immediately for this story, it rocked touring cricketer Bob Blair. But life, and the game, goes on. This play, a revised version of 1953, which was staged last year, tells the story of Blair and his team mates as they... Continue reading

I'm not the biggest George Clooney fan in the world, but I am a good friend who likes to watch movies, so I was happy to accompany a friend to Hoyts Wairau Park last week to watch Up In The Air. I had no idea what the film was about (though I gathered it was something to do with flying), but I'm open-minded, and you know, a half-way decent friend. And I was pleasantly surprised. I enjoyed the film - enough to be mildly irritated when my friend talked to me during the film (like I said, I'm only a... Continue reading

Continuing a wonderful ticket-winning spree, I was lucky enough to get a double pass to the opening of the French Film Festival on Wednesday night, thanks to Rialto Newmarket. The premiere film was Korkoro. If unlike me, you actually have a command of French and don't recognise that word, don't worry, it's actually Romany. The film's French title is Liberté, and for the English speaking audience, that's Freedom. Whilst this film wasn't on my "to see" list, who turns down the opportunity for free drinks and nibbles (thanks to one of the sponsors, Tefal), and a screening of a French... Continue reading

It'd been quite a while since I had last been to Auckland Zoo, and I really didn't expect that my next visit would be to see Anika Moa! But, thanks to the lovely folk at Sunrise, I scored tickets to Zoo Music, and I did get to enjoy seeing both some great New Zealand musicians, and the cute red pandas! We didn't arrive in time to see Lisa Crawley, but enjoyed half of Sola Rosa's set, and all of Anika Moa. I was especially pleased to hear, first up, In The Morning, which is probably my favourite of her songs... Continue reading

Mouse Path 100210 was shared on Flickr by shessassy Following a Twitter friend's example, I've been experimenting with a little application named Mousepath which, well, keeps track of your mouse movements. Pretty cool! And crazy! Click on the image to go to Flickr to see more details about my actions, captured in notes on the image. Continue reading

Well, I just watched Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief at a special preview screening hosted by View Auckland. You know what? It's actually quite good! I was a bit worried that it'd be a bit cheesy, with the young male lead having a hair cut rather like that kid in High School Musical, and the references I've seen in the media to this franchise being the "new Harry Potter". Now, it's not that I hold all that is Harry Potter dear, but that I have studiously avoided those books, movies, and didn't relish being tricked into delving... Continue reading

Well, I got February kicked off with The Lover, and (thanks to View Auckland) tomorrow I'm off to the cinema to see Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief. A complete change of pace! Next week the French Film Festival opens (and yes, I won more movie tickets), so I'll be off to see Korkoro. I'm hoping I can also see Anything For Her during the festival, but the times are a little tricky. There are plenty of plays on, too. I'm going to check out The Second Test, which opens on the 15th (I also booked in for... Continue reading

I went to see The Lover last night, and it was good! Being a relative beginner in the world of theatre, I'd never heard of Harold Pinter (the playwright) before last month. Happily, I saw mention of this play when hunting to fill the empty spot left in my one-a-month cultural exploration by the cancellation of Rufus Wainwright's concert. And I not ashamed to admit that the $20 ticket price, and the presence of a man in a lovely suit in the promotional material convinced me to check it out. I do love a man in a suit, especially one... Continue reading

Maddy was shared on Flickr by shessassy What is a blog without the requisite cat photo? This is my cat Maddy, the best cat a girl could hope for. He's adorable, affectionate, a little naughty, and staring at me rather intently. Must be dinner time! Continue reading

via www.the-edge.co.nzLet me start by saying that I think everyone involved in Short + Sweet Auckland deserves another big round of applause, both as a congratulation for their achievements this time, and to encourage their return next year! Now, whilst I made it to see both the first and second halves of the top twenty ten minute plays, I didn't make it to the wildcard shows, or the gala final held last night. But, I'm not left wondering who won, and if my votes counted. The festival organisers have put up all of the results on their website. I already... Continue reading

I've never been to a seafood festival, but thanks to Real Change Jobs (who I follow on Twitter), I have a double pass the Auckland Seafood Festival, which is happening this anniversary weekend. I'm actually pretty excited! I love fish, and while I haven't had shell-fish for a a very long time, some of my favourite childhood memories involve collecting pipis and cockles along the beach with my family. Big pots of steamed cockles cooked up at the darts club my parents belonged to. My Dad isn't much of a cook - if he could live on bacon sandwiches, he... Continue reading