REVIEWED: 2015 events in the media
Read up on what the media wrote about some of the 2015 Festival shows
Macbeth
“Incredibly satisfying and incredibly musically rich” – Radio New Zealand
“@AKLfestival’s triumph. Opera! Genius! Shouty time: DO NOT MISS”– Simon Wilson, Metro Magazine on Twitter
“provocative stir-up of opera and theatre… not to be missed” – NZ Herald
“fascinating and confronting” – gather & hunt
Bravo Figaro!
““...an easy, funny and extraordinarily entertaining night out” - NZ Herald
LIMBO
“breathtaking skill, precision and physical prowess”- NZ Herald
“infectious enthusiasm and an engaging sense of fun” - NZ Herald
“Heart-in-the-mouth wonder” – Metro Magazine
“believe the hype, believe the billboards. LIMBO is a show not to be missed” - keepingupwithnz.com
“if you’ve ever wondered what 12-pack abs look like, buy your ticket now” - keepingupwithnz.com
“gets your imagination involved... well worth checking out... risky and sexy” – Radio New Zealand
HīKOī
“...a cathartic work of remembrance with immediate relevance” – Metro Magazine
“genuinely affecting...an intense and moving show” - NZ Herald
“momentous occasion… cleverly crafted” – Theatrescenes
“a subtle power that is distinctly unique… a remarkable highlight of the Auckland Arts Festival” – Theatreview
The Mooncake and the Kūmara
“...delightful, funny and moving and certainly marvellously acted” – National Business Review
“a charming celebration of the lingual diversity in New Zealand” - Tearaway
“completely disarming” – Radio New Zealand
Ata Reira
“rich sonorities… luscious sweeps, cries and sighs” - NZ Herald
A Child of Our Time
“the homegrown highlight of our 2015 Auckland Arts Festival” - NZ Herald
Skin of Fire
“extraordinary beauty… breathtaking spectacle” – National Business Review
“...perfection of… movement and imagery… enchanted” – The 13th Floor
“allows for a beautiful and expertly executed immersive experience that dazzles and entertains” – keepingupwithnz.com
“Completely mesmerizing” - keepingupwithnz.com
Cedar Lake Contemporary Ballet
“Exquisite *****” – What’s Good Blog
“impressive… emotionally-engaging… superbly well-danced” – Radio New Zealand
“what those 14 fabulously honed and interestingly diverse beings can do is certainly superb” – NZ Herald
“The choreographic line-up is sterling” - NZ Herald
White
“There are so many wonderful details that surprises are hidden in plain view waiting to be spied” – NZ Herald
“My borrowed co-reviewer (aged 3) went home with a grin on his face and a pocket full of colour for his mum” - NZ Herald
The Kitchen
“immersive and poignant” - Metro Magazine
“The Kitchen is more than just a play - it's a metaphor for life” - NZ Herald
“The surging sounds from the drums, the beautifully lit spectacle on stage and the scents of the spices… reach a boiling point, delighting all the senses… Hypnotic, mesmerizing, and evocative of deeper stories” – Theatreview
FELA! The Concert
“singer Ismael Kouyaté is outstanding…. exceptional dancers…. drew the opening night audience to its feet” - NZ Herald
“We all became absorbed in this rhythmic musical celebration enough to dance and applaud for the last 15 minutes of the show” - keepingupwithnz.com
The Book of Everything
“A truly great show” - Metro Magazine
“I know, I’m raving. I don’t always, not by any means. But this one, I loved” – Metro Magazine
"The Book of Everything is 'the standout of the local shows this year" - Justin Gregory, Morning Report, RNZ
Akram Khan’s iTMOi
“a truly outstanding and unforgettable performance” - NZ Herald
“The show was absolutely stunning. It was incredible” – Radio New Zealand
Othello: The Remix
“a show that revitalises Shakespeare and affirms his timeless ability to connect with new audiences” - NZ Herald
“I loved, loved, loved it...the show beith dope” – Metro magazine
Lake Street Dive
“smart and commanding and brilliant, and most of all, just damn fun” – Metro Magazine
“Modern soul with a nostalgic twist, Lake Street Dive will win you over with their charm as well as their music” - keepingupwithnz.com
“Upbeat positivity and uber coolness” – Undertheradar
I AM
“I AM is the Auckland Arts Festival’s big, deep show, the artistic heart of the whole programme, and if you’re interested in lyrical beauty, fearsome power, big aesthetic statements, you should get along” – Metro Magazine
“a testament to recognising our humanity; an opportunity to have an encounter that transgresses the boundaries of what we know – and… think we know” – Theatreview
Operatic in scale… monumental… pacey… driven… immersive… provocative… beautiful beyond belief” – Radio New Zealand
Neneh Cherry with RocketNumberNine+
“The strong trip-hop vibrations shook the tent into a Cherry love fest” - keepingupwithnz.com
“Full on, energetic, unique and… worth waiting for!” – Keepingupwithnz.com
“blew the roof off… vitality… garage-y… tribal rhythms” – Radio New Zealand
“...really freaking cool” - The 13th Floor
Pass the Gat
“One of those shows you only get at an arts festival..Three very different musos, one unique evening” - Radio New Zealand
BLAM!
“Blam! is a hugely entertaining celebration of the power of imagination – and a reminder that you’re never too old to play” - Metro
“...superb physical theatre performances, an awesome soundtrack, ingenious set design and...creative genius”– NZ Herald
“One hell of a show... Wildly ecstatic” – NZ Herald
PAH
“Beautiful, huge, colourful… utterly gorgeous images by Star Gossage” – Radio New Zealand
“nothing short of brilliant” – National Business Review
Phox
“a wonderful concert, beautifully performed” – Radio New Zealand
“a delight, the perfect pick-me-up” – gather & hunt
Tafelmusik
“people couldn’t contain themselves” – Radio New Zealand
“excellent playing… great orchestra”– Radio New Zealand
“the musicianship was impeccable… applause was spontaneous and vociferous” – NZ Herald
Water and Light
“Contribution of the choirs a highlight of the evening…well-crafted… thumbs up” – Radio New Zealand
Where the Apple Falls
“fascinating watching… range of incredible voices… energy and vibrancy” – Radio New Zealand
White Night
“I urge all art and life lovers to attend” – Africa on My Sleeve
Uku Rere
“Really beautiful… a hidden gem of the Festival” – Radio New Zealand
Tai Whetuki / House of Death (Lisa Reihana)
“a series of arresting images” – Radio New Zealand