October 2012
1 post
11 tags
Mary Poppins - Auckland - Review
The magic of Mary Poppins has well and truly arrived in New Zealand and the opening night in Auckland was nothing short of spectacular .
Arriving to a red carpet, the Civic Theatre looked primed for a special night and if dancing statues, bottomless handbags and magical umbrellas aren’t special then I don’t know what is.
Disney and Cameron Mackintosh’s smash hit musical brings...
September 2012
1 post
3 tags
Springing forward and Keeping Up!
Well it’s almost spring time and definitely time for an update!
I have been busy building the new brand Keeping Up With NZ a new one stop culture shop for New Zealand.
I have been overwhelmed by the response and interest in this new site so I am so pleased with the results so far. It’s is so nerve racking trying new things but the buzz when they go well is indescribable.
Since I...
August 2012
2 posts
6 tags
Win a Double pass to Regrooved NZ featuring...
Want to get your boogie on for FREE this weekend? Well Keeping Up With NZ are making that happen!!
We have two double passes to give away for Regrooved NZ weekender. (One for Rakinos and one for Leigh Sawmill Cafe)
The number one party rocker Slynk is back for two shows in New Zealand.
Australia’s Ghetto Funk producer/DJ will be at the Leigh Sawmill Cafe this Friday 31 August and Rakinos...
6 tags
Eat, Pray, Laugh! Barry Humphries Farewell Tour -...
Where do I begin talking about this utter legend? Well I suppose I could start with saying that going to see Barry Humphries live really is as great as you’d expect.
Performing his swan song ‘Eat, Pray, Laugh!’ for New Zealand audiences, we get to see our favorite characters from the last six decades from this iconic Australian performer.
The Honorable Sir Les Patterson will leave even the most...
July 2012
2 posts
4 tags
Keeping Up With Interview - Eddie Numbers
This week we have been Keeping Up With Auckland based Hip Hop group Eddie Numbers.We have been fans ever since seeing them live in February, which we wrote about here. Ingrid spoke to Eddie Mohan, MC, ahead of their video release party on the 28 July for the track Never Rap Again.
Photo credit Oscar The Grouch
So what can you tell us about your new video?
” I can tell you that it wouldn’t...
7 tags
Guru Of Chai - Indian Ink - Q Theatre
Awaiting the start of the show on opening night of Guru of Chai my eyes darted around the small and simple set surveying the array of instruments on the stage, but I was still none the wiser as to what was to come.
Enter a poor chaiwallah, (Jacob Rajan) an over excited, animated, bucktoothed Indian tea seller, and Dave (David Ward) his muted friend. They were ready to tell us a story, to allow...
June 2012
9 posts
Run! Slip! Spring! at Q Theatre
This week it is the 15th anniversary of one of Auckland’s most inspiring dance companies.
Touch Compass Dance Company presented Run! Slip! Spring! at Q Theatre in Auckland to a much appreciative audience.
This unique company features dancers with disabilities in a show that was like nothing I had ever seen before, a true original which redefines not only what dance is but also who should be able...
7 tags
Square Eye Pair - Basement Theatre - Auckland
In the 90’s Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy called television ’the drug of the nation.’
Square Eye Pair have used this drug as their muse and created a fun and clever comedy production around the friendship of two twenty something TV obsessives, Richard and Max.
Part of a generation raised by the ‘idiot box’ these two odd ball best friends tell us their story from...
4 tags
Smash Hit Musical Mary Poppins is coming to...
On the 18 October the World’s most supercalifragilistic musical opens at The Civic in Auckland!
Based on the beloved books by P.L. Travers and the classic 1964 Walt Disney film, MARY POPPINS, the world’s most magical musical arrives in New Zealand and lucky Auckland will get a chance to see this amazing show for a limited season!
The New Zealand production of MARY POPPINS comes direct from a...
7 tags
Lenny Henry - Cradle to Rave - ASB Theatre
Lenny Henry has been on TV my whole life and is a total legend as far as I am concerned! Some achievements that spring to mind are; winning New Faces, various variety and comedy shows, his own light entertainment shows, co-founding Comic Relief and later became an actor in TV shows like Chef. He has also recently won best newcomer in the London Evening Standard theatre awards, for his debut...
9 tags
KAHA - Atamira Dance Company - Q Theatre
Just over an hour of powerful ideas, movement, sounds and bodies graced the stage of Rangatira, Q Theatre last night.
The winter solstice and Maori New Year, Matariki, set the perfect time for the Atamira Dance Company to showcase, KAHA Short Works 2012.
This varied programme features both new works and old favourites in a show intended to share the strength and diversity of these admirable...
9 tags
Flight of the Conchords – Auckland Town Hall
Last night I was reunited with my ‘queue buddy’ whom I had spent over three hours with one early April morning while we waited excitedly to get our tickets for last night’s show, Flight of the Conchords, at Auckland’s Town Hall. Finally the night was here and we stared down at the stage, filled with various instruments and two empty chairs, with the same anticipation we had felt when we finally...
15 tags
TRIBES - SILO THEATRE - Maidment Theatre - Opening...
TRIBES is a British play by Nina Raine. Silo Theatre presented their opening night of the Auckland production on the 8 June at Maidment Theatre.
The play opens amid a passionate and animated discussion around the dinner table of a middle class British family.
This free spirited and creative family is dominated by their hilarious father Christopher, Michael Hurst, as they swear, shout and talk...
9 tags
Lenny Henry brings 'Cradle to Rave' to New...
One of Britain’s biggest and iconic comedians will be performing his show Cradle to Rave in Auckland and Wellington this month.
Since winning New Faces at 16, Lenny Henry has added many strings to his bow. Along with his beloved stand-up comedy he has become a well-loved entertainer and earned his stripes in the acting world, recently winning critical acclaim for his portrayal of Othello.
...
May 2012
26 posts
8 tags
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Keeping Up With NZ 'The Griddy's' Comedy Awards...
The ticker tape has settled on the stages of this years New Zealand International Comedy Festival with the climax of the announcements of the Billy T and Fred Comedy Awards at Last Laughs.
After watching 26 shows I enjoyed the festival so much I wanted to find a way to celebrate my favourite shows.
From the middle of the Festival I began selecting my favourtie shows to put together a shortlist...
22 tags
Last Laughs ! New Zealand Comedy Festival 2012
What a great show to finish on! Last Laughs did not disappoint with both the Billy T and Fred Award finalist doing their thing on stage which produced a range of fantastic performances.
Hosted by Te Radar, a full house at SKYCITY Theatre must have all had their favourites but there was no question that all the comedians were deserving winners.
Starting with the Billy T’s, first on stage was my...
6 tags
Janey Godley The Godley Hour - Review
My loyalty for the ladies has finally kicked in as I made it to another female comedians show last night.
Janey Godley ‘The Godley Hour’ has been at The Classic all this week so I was so pleased to get a chance to see the show before the end of her fantastic run.
I had been keeping up with Janey during her time in New Zealand through her blog and podcasts. This year’s visit to...
5 tags
Jan Maree Hairy Today, Gone Tomorrow - Review
To my shame this was the first female comedians show I have seen at the NZ International Comedy Festival, but what a way to start! (Never fear I have a few more on my list this week).
From the minute a glam Jan Maree bounced and Croatian danced on to the stage it wasn’t just her outfit that got my attention, it was her confidence. She has the perfect level of self assurance and likability...
5 tags
Ben Hurley & Steve Wrigley Live & Unleashed -...
Ben Hurley and Steve Wrigley begun their 5 night run at the New Zealand International Comedy Festival last night with their first festival show together Live & Unleashed.
These two well known Kiwi comics are brilliant at what they do and have great confidence and command of the stage.
Their style is laid back with clever and witty banter. There is a strong rapport between them which makes...
5 tags
Tarun Mohanbhai - Joke In The Box - Review
Last night I went to see Tarun Mohanbhai’s Joke In the Box at the Vault, Q Theatre.
This clever show sees Tarun play a comedian with a identity crisis who decides to reinvent himself.
Joke In The Box explores all the comedy clichés while ‘Ziggy’ the comedian tries to find his new style, eventually emerging as Tarun.
The show is narrated through Ziggy’s relationship...
8 tags
The Boy With Tape On His Face - More Tape - Review
I had seen ‘The Boy’ on TV but following last night’s opening night of ‘More Tape’ at Q Theatre, I realised you really do have to see him live to fully appreciate this extraordinary performer!
The show is packed with visual treats cleverly entwined into stories which are often expertly timed to accompanying music. That’s not all! Don’t think you can hide from ‘More Tape’ as this ‘Boy’ can sneak up...
14 tags
NZ International Comedy Festival - my picks for...
I can’t believe how quickly the last two weeks have gone by and I have laughed, giggled, tittered and chuckled my way through them.
I have seen 18 shows and counting and I have even announced my very own inaugural ‘The Grid’ Comedy Award 2012, click here to see my shortlist so far. Watch this space as more will be added during the week!
I have had the chance see some of the...
5 tags
Gordon Southern A Brief History Of History -...
Last night I squeezed in to The Classic Studio for a sold out performance of Gordon Southern’s show A Brief History Of History.
Dressed in jeans with a shirt and tie just like a cool teacher, the next hour was filled with hilarious historical content crammed in around Gordon’s excellent audience participation and gold star system.
It all happens so fast! The centuries fly by as this...
5 tags
Dan Willis Ferris Bueller's Way Of...Review
There has been so many great shows on this week that I only got a chance to see Dan Willis’s last night but I am glad I did.
His hour show is based around his favourite film, yes you guessed it the 1986 classic Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
This ex IT geek from the UK tells us of his life changing decision to quit his stable and comfortable job in IT to become a stand-up comedian.
He...
18 tags
The Griddy's Comedy Award 2012!
During the last few weeks I have been searching for my inaugural ‘The Grid’ Comedy Award winner.
I have seen as much live comedy as I can at the NZ International Comedy Festival and feel it’s time to announce my current front runners with only a few days of shows remaining!
Below are my top shows. Click on the links to read the full reviews.
Jason Byrne - The People’s...
6 tags
Barry Morgan’s World of Organs – Review
Oh the joy of this man!
Just the sight of Barry Morgan’s poster made me chuckle so I thought that the show couldn’t fail to induce further burst of laughter.
From the minute he was on stage I just smiled and laughed. Dressed in a safari style suit with the biggest and best hair I have seen at this festival he camply addressed us,
“G’day shoppers and welcome to Barry Morgan’s World of Organs!”
All...
7 tags
Chris Martin No. Not That One - Review
This UK namesake of the lead singer of one of the world’s most famous bands is in Auckland performing his show Chris Martin No. Not That One.
Chris is energetic from the offset, keeping a great pace throughout the show. He is upbeat yet self-deprecating with a youthful enthusiasm which lets you know he loves what he does.
This show focuses on our judgements of both ourselves, and of those around...
6 tags
Steve Hughes Heavy Metal Comedy – Review
At 10pm last night I went back up to the Loft at Q Theatre, which is becoming a bit of a second home for me these last few weeks, to watch some Heavy Metal Comedy from Steve Hughes.
I had seen Steve support Rhys Darby the previous night at SKYCITY Theatre where this UK based, Australian comic was completely hilarious. He worked a possibly hesitant crowd of Rhys fans to win them over and have us...
9 tags
Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies – Review
I had been looking forward to Anil Desai’s Night At The Movies ever since I first saw the NZ International Comedy Festival programme.
I am a huge movie fan and a huge live comedy fan so the idea of combining them both seemed genius to me.
Anil’s hour show is great for a movie fan as you will not only recognise the actors he impersonates but the classic movie lines he quotes too.
Anil’s love of...
6 tags
Rhys Darby – This Way to Spaceship - Review
Rhys Darby’s This Way to Spaceship started its five night run to a sold out SKYCITY Theatre last night. Read this full review on our website Keeping Up With NZ!
His new stand-up show is in conjunction with his first book conveniently also named This Way to Spaceship, a handy autobiographical end of world companion where you can hear how NZ’s biggest stand-up comic went from meek geek to king of...
9 tags
Terry Alderton - You'll Be Glad to See the Back of...
Terry Alderton is back in New Zealand with his new show You’ll Be Glad to See the Back of Him at the Q Theatre in Auckland this week.
While leaving the theatre, following last nights opening night of this unique UK act, my boyfriend said, ‘I can’t wait to read your review of that!’
This is not to say we didn’t like it, we loved it! It was just that he is so totally...
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Milton Jones at The Classic - Review
Milton Jones is in New Zealand for 13 shows for the NZ International Comedy Festival.
With the first week under his belt this week is your last chance to see one of the UK’s top headliners here in NZ for the 2012 festival.
If you have never seen Milton Jones here is an idea of what to expect.
You will experience fast one liners, both clever word play and surreal subject matter. His...
10 tags
Marcel Lucont Gallic Symbol - Review
Marcel Lucont has had such a succesful run at this years NZ International Comedy Festival that he added an extra show for his Auckland fans yesterday afternoon.
I had not had the chance to watch him so far this week so was eagerly anticipating this much talked about show.
He is as cool and laid back as his poster suggests while he enters stage with that je ne sais quoi that you should expect...
9 tags
The Axis of Awesome - Review
Last night a packed Comedy Chamber witnessed the last but one of The Axis of Awesome’s show in Auckland.
I have heard and read a lot about this comedy rock trio during the first week of the festival but have avoided youtubing so as not to spoil the surprise, and I knew enough to know they sounded rocking.
My expectations were met, and some as they were, well awesome.
The group came on...
13 tags
NZ International Comedy Festival - my picks for...
Wow what an amazing first week it’s been! It’s already time to look ahead to week two!
The NZ International Comedy Festival kicked off on Friday 27 April with the monster that is the Comedy Gala.
It as great to see this aired on TV so we all got a taste of the great acts we could see this year at the festival.
I have been busy watching and reviewing shows so have a look around my...
8 tags
Brendon Burns Home Stretch Baby at The Classic...
I am a fan of Brendon Burns and first saw him perform live in 2002 during Edinburgh Fringe. Now it seems that I have seen him at 5 year intervals, as I watched his award winning 2007 show So I Suppose This Is Offensive Now and Home Stretch Baby at the NZ International Comedy Festival 2012.
This Australian comedian is a favourite on the UK comedy circuit and I believe this is his first time...
17 tags
Ben Hurley Presents New Faces - Review
Ben Hurley presented a night of new talent from New Zealand last night at the Loft at Q Theatre.
Unfortunately the room was not full but those of us that were there were up for a laugh, and for supporting up and coming comedy.
Ben Hurley is a seasoned performer so he is at ease both on the stage, and with chatting to the audience, which included a chat with with me! After a short warm up he...
9 tags
Jason Byrne People's Puppeteer at Q Theatre -...
Where do I even start talking about last night’s Jason Byrne stand up show People’s Puppeteer at the Q Theatre in Auckland .
It was a chaotic, rampant laughter fest which fell in to disarray and resulted in pure comedic genius and aching sides.
Entering the stage as a huge puppeteer Jason Byrne proceeded to Irish dance across the stage as the merry crowd wooped, cheered and clapped almost...
9 tags
Chris Cox Fatal Distraction at Q Theatre - Review
The Q Theatre’s Rangatira stage looked filled with copious amounts of props while, through the load speakers, the voice of Chris Cox gave us our first instructions of the evening.
As I sat front row with my boyfriend I waited for others to join us but it seemed everyone felt safer one row back!
Turns out at Fatal Distraction it doesn’t really matter where you sit at this interactive show.
Chris...
April 2012
12 posts
10 tags
Craig Campbell at The Classic Auckland - Review
As a last minute addition to my itinerary last night I popped in to The Classic to see Craig Campbell, a Canadian comedian who I had not seen before but whose poster won me over.
It was a quiet Monday crowd and one that I am not entirely sure fully appreciated the genius story telling capabilities of Craig Campbell.
I found him totally engaging, clever, sometimes quite unexpectedly shouty, but...
9 tags
Dead Cat Bounce at The Loft @Q - Review
Dead Cat Bounce is a three piece band from Ireland, but don’t expect classic covers at this show. Dressed the part and proving their rock credentials, the 3 guys wore gold skinny jeans, glittery leggings and leather trousers, much to the delight of the female front row!
This comedy rock trio gave us an hour of excellently executed songs including one about a Homophobic Penguin performed in the...
7 tags
Stephen K Amos at SKYCITY Theatre Auckland -...
‘I’ve been doing this job for almost 20 years… I’ll do the jokes!’ said Stephen K Amos to a confident audience memeber last night, the first of 3 nights at SKYCITY Theatre.
He has returned to Auckland after a 5 year absence with his show Laughter is my Agenda.
He walks on the stage with a cool confidence and is instantly at home and instantly making you laugh, some...
12 tags
NZ International Comedy Festival - my picks for...
So here we are, the 20th NZ International Comedy Festival.
There are so many great shows to choose from that it can be an overwhelming task choosing who to go and watch.
Therefore I have put together a short list of acts you can see from this Saturday night.
Canadian comic Craig Campbell brings us some hilarious tales from his life.
His unique ability to find humour in the mundane, coupled with...
10 tags
NZ International Comedy Festival Reviews
Watch this space for reviews throughout the festival, here are a list of the shows in my diary!
28th April Stephen K Amos - SKYCITY Theatre
30TH April Dead Cat Bounce - Loft at Q
1st May Chris Cox - Rangatira at Q
2nd May Ben Hurley & Guests - Loft at Q
9th May Rhys Darby - SKYCITY Theatre
12th May Anil Desai - Loft at Q
14th May The Boy With Tape On His Face - Rangatira at Q
16th...
6 tags
Win tickets to THE AXIS OF AWESOME at NZ...
Keeping Up With The Grid will be keeping up with the NZ International Comedy Festival over the next few weeks and feel that no one should miss out on having a right good laugh.
Well the lovely peeps at Elephant Publicity agree and have kindly donated a pair of tickets to see…………….
THE AXIS OF AWESOME WORLD TOUR 2006
SATURDAY 28TH APRIL
7PM
COMEDY CHAMBER, TOWN HALL,...
10 tags
KRS- One makes history in Auckland
This weekend saw history made as one of Hip Hop’s forefathers not only performed his first live gig in New Zealand, but also gave a Lecture at Auckland Museum. Krist Parker, better known as KRS-One (Knowledge Reigns Supreme Over Nearly Everyone) wowed crowds on Saturday night and educated us further on Sunday afternoon.
My Hip Hop education has been happening for a while now, due to living with a...
9 tags
Eddie Numbers announces debut album release date
Aucklands own Eddie Numbers has announced the release date of their debut album ‘Another Day In Paradise’.
I reviewed Eddie Numbers right here on this blog, when they performed at Ponsonby Social Club in February, so I am so pleased to hear about their album release on the 14th May 2012.
Tracks from the album have already received radio play on George Fm, Bfm and Radio...
9 tags
Jersey Boys – The Civic Theatre – Auckland -...
Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, has landed in Auckland. This Tony Award winning musical is currently running at The Civic Theatre and is a must see.
I was so excited about watching this show not only as a fan of the music but also as it’s such a hugely acclaimed production. One of the reasons Jersey Boys has been so successful was the lack of general knowledge around...
