KNOT: A Darkfield Radio Experience

Image credit: Alex Purcell

Darkfield Radio is back with a second season and another mind-bending broadcast that will transport you to an alternate reality through the clever use of binaural sound technology. KNOT plays out as a trilogy and the game changer – this time you are on the move!

This latest immersive encounter centres around a mysterious event and several curious characters – a woman lost in the park, men in transit both to and from said park and finally, a meeting in a house which brings together these voices and more. Initially it is unclear who these people are and how, or if, they are connected but as the plot unravels with each episode, the pieces of the puzzle fall into place.

Unlike its predecessors, KNOT is a cyclical story, unfolding in three parts at three different locations. Audiences are encouraged to begin the experience on a park bench then the passenger seat of a car before bringing you home for the conclusion. While you don’t have to situate yourself in these places, it does make the story that bit more authentic which in turn enhances the overall experience.

This work, as with all previous Darkfield Radio broadcasts, triumphs in its ability to employ expertly considered sound design to manipulate your sense of reality. Realscape Productions have definitely upped the ante this time round by inviting the audience to match their environment with the story’s. The soundscape is deftly devised so it is chillingly realistic and all encompassing, blurring the lines between what’s real and what’s “part of the show”.

While each part was clearly crafted with the locales in mind, the second episode was by far the most convincing, due to the different layers of audio involved. When the man in the backseat speaks, you can’t help but look behind you convinced there is someone there. You hear traffic sounds outside – is that coming through your headphones or is that what’s happening in real time?

We are very fortunate in Aotearoa to be able to enjoy live theatre at the minute but KNOT is definitely worth checking out if you’re looking for something a little different. Brilliantly immersive, engaging and superbly conceived, this innovative audio experience will not disappoint.

KNOT is currently running Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays this month (August). Tickets are $37 per person for the trilogy (all 3 episodes), book now at at darkfield.nz

VISITORS: A Darkfield Radio Experience

Darkfield Radio returns with another chilling audio experience which heightens and beguiles the senses, causing you to question what’s real and what isn’t. This subsequent broadcast VISITORS has a supernatural twist as it explores humans’ desire to connect through physical touch.

Just like its predecessor, this work is best experienced in pairs. Similarly participants are invited to sit (this time) in their living room, opposite each other, and to follow the instructions prompted by the audio.

The scene is set with two visitors who have let themselves in to your home. Their motives are unknown but from the get-go there is something quite eerie about these individuals and as the plot unfolds, it becomes apparent that there are more sinister intentions afoot.

Realscape Productions, the brains behind these broadcasts are masters at manipulation, employing brilliant use of binaural sound technology to create a world in your mind’s eye which you easily fall for. The superbly devised soundscape effortlessly convinces you that someone is whispering in your ear or the footsteps approaching from behind are real. With this particular story, unlike the first instalment, you are invited to move around which adds another dynamic layer to the experience.

VISITORS is a hauntingly disturbing encounter which will give you genuine goosebumps. In this current pandemic times, while we are fortunate enough in New Zealand to be able to attend live entertainment shows, for those who may still be a little hesitant or simply wish to “catch a show” from home, this hits the spot.


VISITORS is currently broadcasting 4 days a week at 8PM and 10PM. Tickets are $20.70 for two, book now at darkfield.nz

DOUBLE: A Darkfield Radio Experience

Sit at your kitchen table, opposite your partner. Follow the instructions prompted by the audio.

Such a simple premise but be prepared for your mind to go into overdrive as the superbly crafted soundscape envelopes you and paranoia unavoidably sets in. DOUBLE is Darkfield Radio’s premiere broadcast and is presented by a company well-known for employing clever, considered use of sound to activate the senses and tap into the complexities of the human psyche.

The guts of this immersive production explores the Capgras delusion, a condition in which you believe your loved one has been replaced by a duplicate but one with more sinister intentions. This is where doing this with a partner really enhances the experience, giving it another layer of realism.

There’s something quite unsettling about being at ease in the safety of your own home one moment then feeling completely on edge the next. You hear footsteps approaching behind you; though your head tells you it’s not real, you find yourself succumbing to what you are hearing and you feel the hairs on the back of your neck stand.

This is what this work does so effortlessly – it engages with your subconscious and your mind starts to play tricks on you. The audio design has been remarkably devised and is second to none, luring you in to easily suspend your disbelief and be convinced of the ominous goings on around you.

Realscape Productions’ DOUBLE is hair-raisingly chilling, genuinely unnerving and a brilliant fusion of theatre and virtual reality. In a time where staying at home and self-isolating is more the new normal, this is the next best thing to collectively experiencing a theatrical event.

DOUBLE runs from 1-29 September. Access is $10 per person / per access code, book now at darkfield.nz

Watch the trailer here.

Auckland Theatre Company: Six Degrees of Separation

Written originally for the stage in 1990 then adapted into a film, Six Degrees of Separation is no newcomer to the scene. Thanks to a blend of superb canon to start with, intelligent set and lighting design plus well appointed casting, Auckland Theatre Company’s adaptation feels fresh, contemporary and still bears relevance today.

The premise that everyone in the world is connected to everyone else through a chain of six people is one that should resonate to most particularly in this digital age in which Facebook tracks your connections through your social network. Where playwright John Guare expands from this theory is by arguing that it’s not just six people but which six people.

Guare’s sharp and intriguing play is brought to life by a small but stellar ensemble cast which include heavyweights in the industry thus already raising the expectations considerably. The play is centered around Flan and Ouisa Kettridge, a rich couple who live the privileged high life in New York City whose lives are turned upside down when a stranger (played excellently by Tane Williams-Accra) stumbles into their home.

The Kettridges are portrayed brilliantly by ATC household name Andrew Grainger and the esteemed Jennifer Ward-Lealand who really needs no introduction. It’s always a treat seeing Ward-Lealand perform – she has a captivating stage presence and commands the stage with ease. Her and Grainger have great on-stage chemistry that was a delight to see and particularly engaging were the moments when they narrate directly to the audience; inviting us in to their world, personalizing the experience.

Another impressive aspect of the piece is John Parker’s set. Imposing columns give the performance space a cavernous depth and combined with the discerningly devised lighting by Jo Kilgour aptly give the overall ‘world’ not only a sense of grandeur but also conveys emptiness which feeds into the premise that while we are seemingly closely connected in this world, this still doesn’t take away feelings of isolation – something we can all relate to.

All in all under the skilled direction of ATC Artistic Director Colin McColl, Six Degrees of Separation is another slick production by Auckland Theatre Company. It’s entertaining theatre with weight – the lighthearted moments are enjoyable and well-placed but its underlying message is thought-provoking and challenging which will give you something to think about as you leave the theatre.

Six Degrees of Separation is on at the ASB Waterfront Theatre until 30 August. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2019: Alan McElroy is Sh*t @Twitter

What’s your social media game like? Do you have a good retweet rate? Do you know your hashtags? Are you well-versed in the art of a good meme?

Alan McElroy is Sh*t @Twitter, as the name suggests, sees McElroy unashamedly flaunt his inaptitude at expressing his thoughts within 280 characters, try as he might. With the help of a Powerpoint presentation, we are shown a selection of tweets where he has tried to engage with his “f**k all” followers with little to no success.

Along the way we also learn some fun facts about McElroy like his fear of insects, anxiety when it comes to flying and the time he found himself involved in an unexpectedly harrowing sexual encounter. These anecdotes are where he really hits his stride because though it appears that he flounders in the social media world, he excels in the ‘real’ world and in what he does best – comedy.

His self-deprecating humour matched with his personable nature and ease at engaging with the crowd is very much the beating heart of the show. Interspersed in between failed tweets and comic mishaps, we are also treated to a few silly musical numbers which felt slightly out of place but all the same did add another comedic layer to the narrative.

What McElroy lacks in number of retweets and social media savvy, he makes up for in spades with his comical prowess and jovial energy live on stage.  Alan McElroy is Sh*t @Twitter veers a little on the self-indulgent side but overall is an enjoyable and frequently funny late night offering.

Alan McElroy has one more show TONIGHT 10pm at the Classic. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2019: Phil Nichol – Your Wrong

Some people are born to entertain and just thrive at being centre stage – Phil Nichol is one of these people and boy does he do it well. There is stand up comedy and there is Phil Nichol doing stand up comedy which is a totally out-of-this world experience.

Your Wrong is a crazy and capricious multi-layered narrative that takes you on an epic ride through Nichol’s life as a self-proclaimed hedonist which unexpectedly turns in to a journey of self-discovery following a curveball involving his older brother Andrew. He even throws in some rock and roll comedy on guitar for good measure.

Contrary to his accent, Nichol is actually of Scottish descent; he and his family moved to Canada when he was 12. He switches between the two accents with ease and his portrayal of his dotty mother Ethel who believes buttons are evil is a particular highlight.

The main pull of the show that keeps you engaged from start to finish is Nichol’s larger than life personality and infectious energy. He’s loud and brash but not divisively so; he is both over-the-top yet also deftly perceptive. In and amongst the silliness and outrageous antics, is some truly brilliant comedy. Nichol has his finger firmly on the pulse of the crowd and his material and it’s a joy to watch.

Your Wrong is a gloriously freewheeling, riotous affair with surprises on every turn and laughs at each corner. Nichol is the consummate entertainer in a league of his own – an absolute must-see for all comedy lovers.

Phil Nichol is performing at The Classic all of this week until 25 May. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2019: Tim Batt’s & Disasteradio’s Space Couch – A Live Comedy Chat Show

During the comedy festival season where stand up shows are in abundance, it’s nice to try something new to cleanse the comedic palate. Enter Space Couch: A Live Comedy Chat Show – a refreshing blend of comedy and conversation which takes inspiration from iconic talk shows like David Letterman and Jon Stewart.

This late night soiree is the brainchild of two-time Billy T nominee Tim Batt and electronic/ synthpop musician Luke Rowell (aka Disasteradio). Together they have created an entertaining and eccentric hour of comical banter, facetious commentary and riotous antics with some sketch comedy thrown in and even a commercial break.

Batt’s charisma and amiable persona make him the ideal host while Disasteradio provides well-timed musical cues as the show’s one-man house band. At centre stage is the titular Space Couch who we learn was named so after traversing space in 1958 and along the way found his voice, albeit a communist one. A talking couch may sound ludicrous but somehow doesn’t seem totally out of the ordinary within the context of this show.

Each night, in keeping with the talk show format, the audience is treated to a panel of different guests. For this show we had local comic Hamish Parkinson and his mum Lynette who took part in a guessing game with a shock factor that sent audible responses both onstage and in the crowd.

Actress Claire Chitham of Shortland Street/ Outrageous Fortune fame was the celebrity guest and who was just an absolute delight to have onstage. When she closed the show with an impromptu pilates class, we don’t even blink an eye – we’d seen far more outrageous things at this point.

With a bit of refining, Space Couch: A Live Comedy Chat Show certainly has the potential to be a permanent offering in the comedy festival programme. If you’re getting a bit of show fatigue and keen for something a bit different and unpredictable, this is a great late night treat.

Just one more opportunity to see Tim Batt fulfill his chat show dreams! The last show is at 10pm tonight at the Basement Theatre. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

NZICF 2019: James Roque – Boy Mestizo

It takes great skill to present a comedy show that is not only inherently personal and in many ways educational but also one that has a generous helping of funny. James Roque nails all three and makes it look effortless.

Boy Mestizo centres around Roque’s recent trip back to his home country to reacquaint himself with his Filipino roots. Or in his words, to embark on his ‘eat pray love’ journey. His sharp wit pair well with his self-deprecating humour to bring together a show that is packed with hilarity but has lots of heart at its core.

Over the course of the hour, Roque gives us a candid snapshot of Filipino culture through his interactions with family, own discoveries and he even throws in a quickfire history lesson for good measure. He draws attention to idiosyncrasies and common traits while also revealing some harrowing home truths particularly around the nation’s definition of beauty.

Roque’s French-Canadian girlfriend gets regular mention and could almost be another show in its own right. From being his lucky charm to receiving better service in shops in the Philippines to keeping his airbnb reviews in check, it provides another comical stream to the show.

Overall Boy Mestizo is a fast-paced, well-crafted hour with never a dull moment and fires on all cylinders. It’s easily enjoyable, heartwarmingly honest, thoroughly engaging and packs a comedic punch.

James Roque’s Boy Mestizo is on tonight at the Basement. For more info or to book tickets, click here.

He is also one third of the sketch comedy trio Frickin Dangerous Bro who also have a show later tonight at Q Theatre. For more info or to book tickets, click here.

 

 

 

Zanetti Productions: Medusa

This is Medusa as you’ve never seen before. There is no creature with a head of snakes instead the rage that embodies this character unravels before our eyes in a vivid and visceral tapestry of spoken word, light and sound.

Nisha Madhan, Julia Croft and Bronwyn Ensor collectively “play” this mythological monster and they do so like a well-oiled machine. The piece starts in complete silence bar a few awkward sniggers and shuffling before evolving, coming alive and eventually going the other extreme in a defiantly discordant way.

We are taken on an erratic journey where any notion of a conventional narrative is completely dismantled. Things get chaotic, raucously loud, uncomfortable, raw, unsettling yet oddly hypnotic. The lighting design and soundscape are like characters in their own right, adding a visual and aural layer to the cacophony of words.

Medusa is an assertive assault to the senses, reminding you of the power of theatre. Postmodern in its approach, it will not be for everyone but for those who take the chance, it is a bold beast that will affect and bewilder as well as challenge your ideas on femininity.

Medusa is part of Q Theatre’s Matchbox 2018 season and is on upstairs in the Loft until 3 November. For more details and to book tickets, click here.

Proudly Asian Theatre: Orientation

Love and sexuality are complicated enough to navigate without adding race in to the mix. Orientation is a bold new work by Proudly Asian Theatre that explores what it means to be Asian in Aotearoa, dissecting in particular common stereotypes associated with sex and relationships.

Mei, the central character of the story, finds herself battling an identity crisis being half Pākehā and half Chinese yet only having dated white men. Enlisting the help of the ‘Asian Everyman’, she goes on a quest – to “root herself back to her roots”. As she speed dates her way through various suitors, we are given a superficial representation of “Asianess” which will no doubt speak to and resonate more to those of Asian descent in the crowd.

This audacious way of self discovery is certainly unorthodox but paves the way to the bigger subject matter at hand – the racism and social conditioning that is deeply ingrained into the fabric of New Zealand society. From dumplings and that iconic lucky cat to throwing around popular prejudice and cringe-worthy clichés, playwright and director Chye-Ling Huang’s script is unabashedly honest as it is deeply perceptive.

Where this piece falters ever so slightly is in its over ambition and pace. While what is being presented is compelling, the overall narrative could have benefited from being tighter, focusing on a select few talking points rather than a whole slew – though perhaps this was the intent. Regardless things did drag in parts and at times felt on the over-indulgent side.

All in all Orientation packs a punch. It is an edgy and thought-provoking theatre piece that uses one woman’s mission to find her place as the beacon that casts a light on Asian sexuality and the racial undercurrents that exists in this country.

Orientation is on at Q Theatre until 15 May as part of the MATCHBOX 2018 season. For more info and to book tickets, click here.