Category: Music

NZICF 2018: Laura Daniel X Joseph Moore – Two Hearts: Restart the Hearts

Restart the Hearts proves that you don’t need an arena to pull off a gig that has that full-scale live concert vibe. With bangin’ vocals, killer moves, flashy lights, confetti and a whole lot of sparkles, this musical comedy spectacle has all the right ingredients for a rollicking good time.

It’s been a year since Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore joined forces to become pop music duo Two Hearts however much to their dismay they are still being haunted by their comedian past. After a few funny attempts at turning the show into a stand up routine – which if anything showcased how in sync the two of them are – they succumb to their true pop star selves.

Over the course of the hour, the humble little Loft at Q transforms into a mini stadium as Daniel and Moore have the crowd completely engaged and hooked on their brand of riotous musical satire. There are silly songs about revenge porn and PMS induced divas as well as tunes with an underlying message like a comical ode to the independent woman that turned out to be about sexual harassment.

Along the way there are onstage costume changes, backup dancers going rogue and cheering matches between the left and right side of the room. A show like this can veer on the trite, gimmicky side but Daniel and Moore toe that line brilliantly thanks to their shrewd songwriting and electric stage presence.

Restart the Hearts is a fabulously fun and facetious party of comedic and musical proportions. It is irresistibly irreverent, unashamedly audacious and a thoroughly intoxicating experience that will leave you wanting more.

Two Hearts will be performing at Q Theatre until 19 May. For more info and to book tickets, click here.

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Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra and The Dust Palace: Midnight

For one night only, the APO, who are known for their first-rate, innovative work, team up with The Dust Palace, touted as Auckland’s leading circus theatre company, to bring a magical evening of breathtaking cirque and glorious symphony. When two powerhouses such as these two come together, you just know you’re in for an incredible theatre experience.

Midnight is a delightful and captivating tale that takes place both on the stage and in the air perfectly complemented by a full-size onstage orchestra who deliver a spellbinding score which include notable works from Mendelssohn, Chopin and Tchaikovsky. The audience are taken on a fantastical journey of acrobatic and orchestral proportions with a bit of comedy and mime thrown in for good measure.

The premise takes place in an enchanted land and when the King takes ill, the Queen calls on the Doctor for help and together they go on a quest seeking medicine that will save him. Along the way they come across an array of otherworldly beings like impish forest creatures, floating fairies in hula hoops and formidable stilt-walking spirits who dance, leap, contort and fly in effortless harmony with the melliflous soundtrack.

The troupe of performers who play the cast of characters do so with grace and impressive skill, seamlessly pulling off a stunning repertoire of circus and physical artistry from jaw-dropping contortion to gasp-inducing aerial acrobatics. Credit must be given to Eve Gordon and Mike Edward for the dynamic choreography and superb direction; equally the APO are in top form, operating like a well-oiled machine, with David Kay at the helm.

Midnight brings together New Zealand’s finest cirque performers and orchestral musicians for an extraordinary evening that is a treat for the eyes and ears. This enthralling collaboration is a beautiful celebration of circus and symphony deserving of a full season as put simply it is an experience that needs to be seen far and wide.

To find out when APO will be performing next, click here.

To find out when The Dust Palace will be performing next, click here.