Hawke's Bay talent in national theatre show coming to Hastings in late July
Barker, who grew up in Hawke's Bay's theatre scene, is bringing the play The Ballad of Briar Gran t back to where
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NZ Herald
13-07-2025
- NZ Herald
Hawke's Bay talent in national theatre show coming to Hastings in late July
When Anna Barker steps on to the Toitoi stage later this month, it won't just be another stop on a national theatre tour, it will be a 'full-circle' moment. Barker, who grew up in Hawke's Bay's theatre scene, is bringing the play The Ballad of Briar Gran t back to where
Scoop
17-06-2025
- Scoop
Comedy And Calamity Collide In Mr & Mrs Macbeth Of Duart Valley Road At Toitoi This July
Two of Aotearoa's most beloved stage performers, Mark Hadlow and Lara Macgregor, bring their razor-sharp timing and explosive chemistry to the Toitoi Opera House stage this July in the hit theatrical comedy Mr & Mrs Macbeth of Duart Valley Road. Running for two nights only—Wednesday 23 and Thursday 24 July—this modern, fast-paced two-hander promises a hilarious and heartfelt exploration of partnership, performance, and the chaos of live theatre. Written and directed by Gregory Cooper, the show takes audiences behind the scenes as married actors Tom and Jo Macbeth prepare to take the stage in a production of Macbeth. Jo is ready. Tom is not. What follows is a rollercoaster of sharp dialogue, emotional landmines, theatrical mishaps, and one very unexpected celebrity audience member. 'Watching Mark and Lara together is electric,' says Glen Pickering, Presenter Services Manager at Toitoi. 'They deliver a pitch-perfect mix of comedy and vulnerability that's both relatable and wildly entertaining. This is New Zealand theatre at its best—sharp, funny, and brilliantly performed.' Celebrated for his roles in MAMIL, The Hobbit, and King Kong, Hadlow joins acclaimed actor-director Lara Macgregor (Clickbait, One of Us Is Lying) in this crowd-pleasing theatrical farce that Theatreview calls 'a sublime masterclass in farce, physical comedy, gnawing vulnerability and on-point poignancy... a must-see treat.' Whether you're a Shakespeare lover—or someone who avoids the Bard entirely—Mr & Mrs Macbeth of Duart Valley Road is a hilarious take on life behind the curtain that promises to entertain from start to curtain call. Tickets are available now from Toitoi's website, or from the Hastings or Havelock North isites.
NZ Herald
08-05-2025
- NZ Herald
NZ Music Month lights up Hastings with music trail and pop-up club
He said the Bay was always his favourite environment to play in, where his original music was encouraged, and he was looking forward to 'jamming' his songs on the trail. Hastings Mayor Sandra Hazlehurst said the national celebration was a 'fantastic' opportunity to showcase some of the wide-ranging musical talent in Hawke's Bay, calling the event 'a Hastings edition of NZ Music Month'. Rounding out the month's celebrations, Littlestone with Hastings District Council and Toitoi will be reimagining the laneway between the East Block bars and Toitoi on Friday, May 23, transforming the area into a pop-up, open-air club, featuring an all-local DJ lineup spinning everything from house and hip-hop to funk and disco. Littlestone's Beth Elstone said the venue had been looking for a chance to dance in the laneways by the Opera House for a while, and NZ Music Month felt like 'the perfect excuse'. Hastings District Council's website.
