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Theatre Reviews Dunedin Fringe Festival 2011

13 Awards Distributed

The Festival attracted over 200 artists from all over New Zealand plus international guests, many of whom attended the Awards Ceremony on Sunday 27 March. Thirteen awards were presented in recognition of outstanding achievement in each art form as well as general awards, culminating in the Best of the Fringe which was awarded to Footnote Dance for their production Hullapolloi.

The Festival coordinated a group of nine judges to see all Festival events. The awards were judged according to their level of innovation, experimentation, standard of presentation, and engagement. Festival Director, Paul Smith, said with so many talented acts it was a difficult task for the judges. "The most popular acts are not always the most innovative and the criteria prioritises innovation over attendence levels."

"The production of Hullapolloi was a challenging work for both the dancers and the audience. The dancers were in full body suits that came up over their heads which meant they had to dance by sound and touch. The piece was engaging and provocative generating ongoing dialogue and debate."

"There were many other stand-out works in the Festival and I would like to congratulate all the artists involved for what they have achieved. The Festival brought an amazing array of art to the public and created a fantastic atmosphere in the city. The Dunedin Fringe Festival presented a well coordinated programme of high quality innovative art that engaged a significant proportion of the population." 

Actual audience numbers will not be available for some weeks as the Festival gathers information from the many artists involved.

THE AWARD WINNERS:

BEST COMEDY – Harpur’s Bizarre: Immortal Combat by Sarah Harpur
Nominees:  I’m Sorry I Said That by Irene Pink & Justine Smith, Wilson Dixon’s American Dream

BEST DANCE – Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions
Nominees: Hullapolloi by Footnote Dance, Chocolate Zucchini Cookies by Dance Lab

BEST MUSIC – Lines of Flight by Metonymic Trust
Nominees: No Depression (In New Zealand) by The Eastern Family, Master’s Curious Delirium by Bird Wizdom

BEST THEATRE – Once Was… by The Theatre As Is
Nominees: Mates & Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, The Visitor by Sit n Spin Productions

BEST OUTDOOR – Animae by Erica Duthie & Struan Ashby

Nominees: Tablo Presents! by The Notional Theatre Company, Chocolate Zucchini Cookies by Dance Lab

BEST VISUAL ARTS – Bloodlines and Bloodstains by Desi Liversage
Nominees: Don’t Look by Complete Protection, Half by The Branch

BEST FRINGE INVENTION – Jumboots by Jarn Bulling
Nominees: Critter Cage Jacket by Matt Neumegen, Seat Hoggers by Kina Hewat
 

BEST PROMOTIONAL CAMPAIGN The Branch – Half
Nominees: Mates and Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, I’m Sorry I Said That by Irene Pink & Justine Smith

BEST PRODUCTION DESIGN – Drowning in Veronica Lake by Flaxworks
Nominees: Love You Approximately by The Clinic, Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions

MOST PROMISING WORK – The Visitor by Sit'n Spin Productions 
Nominees: Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions, Once Was by The Theatre As Is

MOST ORIGINAL CONCEPT – The Fullness of Empty Pockets by Colleen Altagracia
Nominees: Capturing Other by Beautiful Sake Productions, Don’t Look by Complete Protection

STAND OUT PERFORMER – Sarah Iwaskow in Capturing Other
Nominees: Paora Taurima & Simon K Leary in Mates and Lovers, Alex Ellis in Drowning in Veronica Lake, Campbell Kneale in Our Love Will Destroy the World

BEST OF FRINGE – Hullapolloiby Footnote Dance

Nominees: Mates and Lovers by Fabulous Arts Aotearoa New Zealand, Lines of Flight by Metonymic Trust

Strategies for the Best Fringe Ever

With 50 or so acts in the 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival to choose from it can be tricky to know what to go to. How do you know the show is going to be any good or one that you will enjoy more than the next one? Here are five strategies to ensure you get the best out of the Fringe Festival.

#1: Find a trusted venue
The Festival works closely with some well known venues in Dunedin. The Fortune Theatre, the Globe Theatre, Chicks Hotel, and Sammys all feature quality Festival acts. The line-up at the Fortune and Globe in particular has been specially programmed by the Festival and will not disappoint.

#2: Laughter is the best medicine
Comedy is our largest art form category and you're bound to have heard of at least one of these comedians before. Many have international experience and most are heading straight for the International Comedy Festival in Auckland and Wellington after performing at the Fringe Festival. With three shows a night the Polson Higgs Comedy Club is a surefire night of good times.

#3: Dig a little
A little bit of research can go a long way. Many acts have their own website, Facebook or Myspace page which provides additional information, reviews and images. Some also feature promotional trailors or live footage from previous shows. Failing that you can always ask well placed friends or listen out to the interviews scheduled on Radio One, More FM and Radio Dunedin.

#4: More is better
One of the surest ways to find the best act is simply to go to more shows. With many acts only 60 minutes long and entirely affordable this is a sensible strategy that can yield excellent results. A typical night out on the Fringe can easily include seeing two different shows, or at least one show and a visit to the Festival Club.

#5: Free is best
There is a whole bunch of exhibitions and installations that are completely free. From cutting edge art at the Blue Oyster Gallery to the strangest inventions you ever saw at the Otago Settlers Museum. You can't go wrong.

Artists Fundraise for Christchurch

A number of shows by Christchurch artists are still coming despite the trauma of the last few weeks. Sit & Spin Productions have confirmed they are bringing their show The Visitor despite having friends killed by the earthquake. They have had to recast the show as their actors have been relocated out of Christchurch or too badly affected to stay involved. They have since decided to donate any proceeds from their show at the Dunedin Fringe to the families of the victims.

Lyttleton band The Eastern have also decided to use their event, No Depression in New Zealand, as an opportunity to fundraise for the earthquake donating proceeds to the rebuilding of Lyttleton and the Red Cross Appeal. The Court Jesters's Court Theatre is damaged but they're still coming to entertain Dunedin audiences with their show Scared Scriptless - LOVE, and Once Upon A... The Clinic are still bringing their acclaimed show Love You Approximately and Tablo Theatre are bringing their amazing puppets with Tablo Presents!.

We urge all Dunedin people to get out and support those who are making a huge effort to bring their show to Dunedin. These guys are amazing!



Links to shows still coming:

The Eastern with show No Depression (in New Zealand)

The Court Jesters with shows Scared Scriptless - LOVE & Once Upon A...

The Clinic with show Love You Approximately

Tablo with Tablo Presents!

Sit'n Spin with The Visitor



Cancelled due to Earthquake:

Through the Looking Glass by Sarah Forgan

Programme Updates

Sunday Roast - The Alpacas (Dun)

Sunday Roast has been advertised as running for 90 mins. It will run for 60 mins.

Theatre, pg.30 (Festival Guide), website

Festival Club - 18th March, 10.00pm

Delaney Davidson will replace The Eastern.

pg.7 (Festival Guide), website

YYYEEESSS - Dr Frock Productions (Dun)

Visual Art - pg.35 (Festival Guide), website

There's been a change of venue and time:

Venue: 284 Princes St

Time: 12:00pm - 6.00pm

Through the Looking Glass - S.J. Forgan (Chch)

Visual Art - pg.35 (Festival Guide), website listing

Unfortunately the artists have had to cancel this event due to the Christchurch earthquake.

Still Life at the Station - 19th March, 9:00am - 11:00am

Dunedin railway Station/Otago Farmers market, Anzac Ave

pg.9 (Festival Guide), website listing

Chris Davis (Lord Livingstone) is unfortunately unable to make this event due to the Christchurch earthquake but there will be heaps of other fantastic Human Statues for you and your family to enjoy.

I Heart - Sweaty Heart Productions (Akld)

Dance - pg.23 (Festival Guide), website

On Sunday 20th March I Heart will start at 7:30pm instead of 7:00pm.

Festival Club - 17th March, 10:00pm

pg.7 (Festival Guide), website

Local comedian Ian Loughran will replace Tarun Mohanbhai for this night only.

Pecha Kucha Presenters Revealed

The 9th Pecha Kucha Night to be held in Dunedin is on its way as part of the 2011 Dunedin Fringe Festival. As always we have a fantastic line-up of artists, designers and personalities with a whole bunch of images, ideas and stories to share.

For those who don't know about Pecha Kucha Night events, this is a wonderful event that is all about people sharing creative ideas. A Pecha Kucha night involves the projection of a series of large images via a data projector. A dozen invited presenters show 20 images each, with only 20 seconds to speak to each image (a total of 6.40 minutes per presentation). The magic is the rapid-fire presentation and the diversity of presenters and topics on the night. This is a non-profit movement about bringing artists and designers together and getting inspired by their ideas.Pecha Kucha Nights now take place in over 300 cities around the world.

Here's the presenters. Tell your friends as this is going to be a great evening!

Confirmed presenters (not in order):

Mishca Rhys Hill // Artist & Designer // We can watch you it doesn't stop you

John Egenes //Traveller // The Long Ride

Mark McGuire // Senior Lecture, Department of Applied Sciences, University of Otago // Public Square or Walled Garden?

Ian Chapman // Lecturer Music // Rebel Rebel - You've Torn your Dress: Kiwi Women in Rock!

Jonathon Cweorth // Medievalist // Queen Elizabeth's Wardrobe Unlock'd

Martyn Roberts // Theatre Studies Lecturer // Rediscovering Analogue

Jinty McTavish // City Councillor // Urban Genius - inspiration from around the globe

Lara MacGregor // Artistic Director, Fortune Theatre // The Circles We Move In

Stanley Manthyng // Queer Loudmouth // The Tale of Mrs Kissenger

Nina Katchadourian // Artist in residence, DPAG // Animal Crossdressing

Jamie Hanton // Director of Blue Oyster Gallery // The Database of Original Art

Lynn Vare // Songwriter // Love songs - My Bastard Children

30 Outrageous Inventions to be Exhibited

Thirty unique and humorous inventions have been selected for the Fringe Inventions exhibition to be held at the Otago Settlers Museum from 12 March-3 April.

Fringe Inventions is inspired by the strange and amusing Japanese art of Chindogu, which literally translates as 'strange tool'. Chingodu are inventions designed to solve everyday problems but are so impractical or embarrassing to use that they are almost useless. Too useful or commercially viable and they are no longer considered a Chindogu. 

The exhibition is the third to be held as part of the Dunedin Fringe Festival which this year runs from 17-27 March. 

More entries than ever before

87 entries were received from throughout New Zealand with several tertiary, secondary and primary schools participating. The selection process was made based on quality of concept, construction, design and how well each invention represented the 10 tenets of Chindogu. 

Festival Director, Paul Smith, said the standard of entries was high and the level of participation encouraging. "This is a fun event that draws on our ability to think outside the square. It is product design with a twist and hilarious to visit."

People's Choice Award

The 30 accepted entries will be judged by the visiting public through a people's choice award. The three inventions that receive the highest number of votes will be awarded vouchers donated by Mitre 10 Mega Dunedin. 

For more information please contact the Festival office or Festival publicist Sarah Girvan on 03 4792036 or 021 55 22 40.