29 August − 20 September

Tuesday to Saturday 7.30pm

Sunday 4.30pm

13 and 20 September: extra 4pm matinee

19 September: extra performance added 9.45pm

Adult $46

Concession $38

Friends of Circa (until 14 September) $33

Groups 6+ $39 20+ $36

Under 25s $25

Parody Breaks Up Political Stodge

REVIEW BY EWEN COLEMAN, THE DOMINION POST, 1 SEPTEMBER 2014

It was pre-millennium when Lorae Parry and Pink Agnew successfully brought their alter-egos Helen Clarke and Jenny Shipley to the screen.

And although they have moved on from these their prowess as writers of political satire hasn’t waned, as evidenced in their latest showDestination Beehive.

Their writing is as astute and funny as ever and under director Jan Bolwell, and joined by six very versatile and competent actors, they have produced a slick, highly polished and very entertaining show.

The basic premise is simple but effective; a new electorate of Port Nicholson has been created and in this election TV special reporters Tina Fisher (Pinky Agnew) and Katrina Coleman (Lorae Parry) are going to introduce the candidates.

Each presents their case and what their campaign platform is, often with the help of their party leader and ending with a well known song that has had the lyrics changed to parody their party to great effect. Between each is Tama T (Jonathan Morgan) giving weather updates on how campaigning is going around the rest of the country.

While every character presented is a delight and most are on the button with their interpretations some of the stand out ones are Dame Kate Harcourt’s NZ Fist Candidate Maude Hornby with her devotion to Winston in the song Winston Makes My Clothes Fall Off while Carrie Green makes a wonderful Paula Bennett, the “go to chick” in cabinet who tells everyone to get a job and her Metiria Turei, “we’re not a joint party any more” is spot on.

Jack Buchanan does a wonderful impersonation of Labour’s Jacinda Ardern, and his pro smacking, anti-gay Colin call-me-crazy Craig sends up the Conservative Party to great effect.

Agnew and Parry also take many roles including Parry’s Terry White, the National candidate whose main campaign slogan is changing the flag and Agnew having great fun in her role as Judith ‘Crusher’ Collins.

There are a number of surprises in the show, including the Labour candidate and the finale where all the candidates are presented in a very creative and funny song-and-dance routine. It all makes a great break from the seriousness of the election campaign.

OTHER REVIEWS:

John Smythe, Theatreview, 30 August 2014

David Farrar, Kiwiblog, 1 September 2014