Latest news with #BasementTheatre
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Karanga To The Lost; A Multimedia Journey Of Communion, Reconnection And Ritual With Our Whakapapa
Press Release – Basement Theatre An invitation to return to the self, Ella Rerekura (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) presents her directorial debut, E Ngaro Ana Koe? (Are You Lost?) as part of Basement Theatre's Matariki/Winter season. This multimedia dance work is a calling to those who have ever felt distant to their whakapapa, moving with the rhythms of collective and individual reconnection through movement, poetry, archival film and sculpture – and ultimately a provocation to meet the taniwha that live inside us with care, and to honour the continual act of shedding, morphing and becoming. Featuring seven powerful movement artists alongside Ella – Indiana Carder-Dodd (Ngāpuhi, Te Āti Awa, Pakeha), Rewa Fowles (Whakapapa Māori), Tara Hodge (Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti-Whare), Hayley Walters-Tekahika (Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngapuhi) as well as Harrison Cook (Ngāi Tahu) and Eli Free (Whakapapa Māori) who will be joining digitally from Australia – who each bring their own whakapapa journeys and relationships to the floor, weaving together personal story and shared ritual. Ōtautahi-raised and Tāmaki Makaurau-based, Rerekura draws from her own experience as wāhine Māori and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), bringing together her practices of dance, writing, pigment making and archival process. Her work sits at the intersection of identity and embodiment, deeply rooted in her whakapapa journey, reflecting a personal commitment to understanding the presence of her tūpuna and how they reside in her body today. Conceived with collaboration at its core, the show features work from a total of 16 artists including tuakana support from comedian/actor Janaye Henry (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa), poet/writer Liam Jacobson (Kāi Tahu) and movement artist Gabby Terras. E Ngaro Ana Koe? is a calling for us to ask: what brought us here? And where are we going next? E Ngaro Ana Koe? plays: 26 – 30 August 2025, 8pm Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland $30 standard // $20 concession Earlybird tickets available until August 5 ($27 standard // $17 concession)
Scoop
23-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Karanga To The Lost; A Multimedia Journey Of Communion, Reconnection And Ritual With Our Whakapapa
An invitation to return to the self, Ella Rerekura (Te Āti Haunui-a-Pāpārangi, Ngāti Rangi, Ngāti Tūwharetoa) presents her directorial debut, E Ngaro Ana Koe? (Are You Lost?) as part of Basement Theatre's Matariki/Winter season. This multimedia dance work is a calling to those who have ever felt distant to their whakapapa, moving with the rhythms of collective and individual reconnection through movement, poetry, archival film and sculpture - and ultimately a provocation to meet the taniwha that live inside us with care, and to honour the continual act of shedding, morphing and becoming. Featuring seven powerful movement artists alongside Ella - Indiana Carder-Dodd (Ngāpuhi, Te Āti Awa, Pakeha), Rewa Fowles (Whakapapa Māori), Tara Hodge (Te Aitanga a Māhaki, Ngāti-Whare), Hayley Walters-Tekahika (Ngāti Kahungungu, Ngāti Maniapoto, Ngapuhi) as well as Harrison Cook (Ngāi Tahu) and Eli Free (Whakapapa Māori) who will be joining digitally from Australia - who each bring their own whakapapa journeys and relationships to the floor, weaving together personal story and shared ritual. Ōtautahi-raised and Tāmaki Makaurau-based, Rerekura draws from her own experience as wāhine Māori and CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), bringing together her practices of dance, writing, pigment making and archival process. Her work sits at the intersection of identity and embodiment, deeply rooted in her whakapapa journey, reflecting a personal commitment to understanding the presence of her tūpuna and how they reside in her body today. Conceived with collaboration at its core, the show features work from a total of 16 artists including tuakana support from comedian/actor Janaye Henry (Ngāti Kahu ki Whangaroa), poet/writer Liam Jacobson (Kāi Tahu) and movement artist Gabby Terras. E Ngaro Ana Koe? is a calling for us to ask: what brought us here? And where are we going next? E Ngaro Ana Koe? plays: 26 – 30 August 2025, 8pm Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland $30 standard // $20 concession
NZ Herald
19-07-2025
- NZ Herald
My Secret Auckland: Contemporary dancer Caleb Heke shares their favourite spots in the city
The Breakfast Club in Point Chev is the ultimate brunch destination in my opinion. They've got a great range of pancakes, your classic cafe fare, and a solid line-up of thick shakes. My go-to order? Either the Big Brekkie Club or the Classic Stack Pancakes, and yes, I'm always adding bacon. You can't go wrong. Favourite restaurant for dinner with friends? Punjabi Kitchen on Lincoln Rd is my comfort food heaven. It's only five minutes from where I live and it always hits the spot when I'm after a warm, hearty meal. The spices, the flavours, the portions, it's the kind of place you leave with a full belly and a full heart. Favourite place to take a visitor to? Basement Theatre is always my top recommendation when I've got someone visiting Auckland. It's such a creative and exciting space, showcasing everything from theatre and dance to comedy. No matter who you're with, there's bound to be something on that'll spark a laugh or a deep thought, or both! Favourite spot to finish a night out? The Churchill on Queen St is my go-to wind-down spot after a show at Basement Theatre or Q Theatre. It's a stylish gin bar with a moody, relaxed atmosphere and panoramic views of the city. Something about sipping a cocktail while looking out over Auckland just wraps up the night perfectly. Favourite place to get coffee? Coffee Studio in Corban's Estate, Henderson, is a bit of a hidden gem. It's where Atamira Dance Company is based, so on my lunch breaks I love sneaking over for a regular oat flat white and a caramel slice. The vibe is cute, homely and welcoming and the staff are always down for a chat. Favourite fish-and-chip shop? Smith and Wong's Takeaways has been our family's go-to for years, and for good reason. Sunday night fish and chips just wouldn't be the same without it. Crispy, golden and nostalgic. Favourite trail for a hike? I'm not the most avid hiker but I do love the Waitākere Dam Walk. It's got everything, from lush native bush to rivers and waterfalls (great for a cold dip if you're brave), and the dam itself is stunning to walk across. It's not too long or difficult, which makes it ideal for a cruisy weekend mission. Favourite venue for a gig? The Tuning Fork is one of my favourite venues for live music. It has this chill, intimate vibe where you can either be tearing it up on the dance floor or tucked into a corner with a glass of red. Whether it's an emerging artist or someone you already love, the experience always feels personal and electric. Favourite place to find a bargain? As a dancer, I'm constantly needing vitamins, protein, strapping tape and haircare and Chemist Warehouse is a lifesaver. They've got everything I need at prices that don't make my wallet cry. It's my go-to spot for restocking all the essentials. Caleb Heke (Ngāpuhi) is a contemporary dance artist, born and raised in Tāmaki Makaurau. Caleb has been a dancer with Atamira Dance Company since the end 2020.
The Spinoff
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
Event noticeboard: Sugar, rubber gloves and shocked bananas
The Spinoff's top picks of events from around the motu. I was tempted, in a moment of despair, to title this week's noticeboard as 'Rain, rain and more rain' or perhaps 'Rain, flooding and more rain'. Thankfully it's not flooded here, but I was triggered looking at my weather app and seeing only clouds and rain till, you guessed it, Monday, that day I'm due to be back inside. Already I know what my partner will say when I go home and whine. 'You're not made of sugar!' So out I will go, dressed as a little squire with a strangely modern raincoat, to Princess Chelsea's annual midwinter ball (sold out sorry!). I guess once you make it past the falling drops, there are a few good things about this time of year. Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Avenue, Auckland Central 8pm Thursday to Saturday, July 17-19 $17-$30 In 2019 Italian artist Maurizio Cattelan duct-taped a single banana to a wall at Art Basel, a prestigious international art fair. That banana, titled 'Comedian' by Cattelan, set the art world and the internet ablaze partly in incredulity and partly in fury. Was it genius or not art at all? Later, Cattelan ate the banana onstage, saying its value (US$6.2 million according to one sale) was in the concept not the banana itself. Last year Auckland playwrights asked the question – what if the banana woke up? They created a physical-theatre-clown-fruit-mash-up which reviewers have called ' relentlessly funny ' and 'a superb clowning commentary'. How to Art has already had seasons in Auckland and Wellington, and now the bananas are headed to Melbourne. They're making a special re-appearance in Auckland to raise some funds. The show has wonderful handmade costumes and props (yes banana suits, but also other big plushy fruit) which they're showing off in a free touch tour before the show on Saturday at 7pm. Whangārei ONEONESIX, 116a Bank Street, Whangārei 2pm & 6pm Sunday, July 20 7pm Monday, July 21 7pm Tuesday, July 22 Gold coin The culmination of months of creative exploration by over 20 rangatahi taking part in NYT's Emerging Directors Programme, this event invites you into the room as they test ideas, take risks, and develop their voices. Tāmaki Makaurau Halsey St Wharf, Wynyard Quarter, Auckland 10am – 4pm Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & 20 Free Have a wander through Greenpeace's (third) Rainbow Warrior. Note: The ship is not wheelchair accessible – there are steep steps and a narrow gangway. Hamilton Workshop: Lost Wax Ring Making Arts for Health, 2 Seddon Road, Frankton, Hamilton 4pm Sunday, July 20 $285 (includes materials) Design and sculpt a ring using the ancient lost wax technique. After the workshop, it will be cast in silver and posted to you. Waipukurau Te Whanganui-a-Tara Hear two scholars and artists talk about the impact of sugar, colonisation and global trade in the Pacific, and see the exhibition exploring these themes. Blenheim Artworks created by Te Ohu Weka, a collaborative art group based in Te Tauihu and working from Onetahua Marae. Ōtautahi Little Andromeda Theatre, Level 1, 134 Oxford Terrace, Christchurch 7pm Friday & Saturday, July 18 & 19 $15-$20 'Join the hilarious and retro-sexy Gladys and Beryl as they take a sweep down memory lane, reminiscing on their successful and oh-so extravagant lives.' Lyttelton From my understanding, these artists take everyday sounds like bangs, taps, squeaks and wheeze and make them beautiful and buzzy. Dunningham Suite, Dunedin City Library, 230 Moray Place, Dunedin 5:30pm Friday, July 18 $20 (proceeds towards the residency programme) Robert Lord would have turned 80 this year – and so there's a party at his cottage. There will be readings, drinks and nibbles. Gore Eastern Southland Gallery, 61 Irk Street, Gore 3pm Saturday & Sunday, July 19 & 20 10.30am Tuesday, July 22 Free entry See inside the messy studio and fascinating process of an acclaimed Kiwi painter. Invercargill Theatre: Matilda the Musical 7:30pm Wednesday – Friday, July 17, 18, 23, 24, 25 4pm Saturday, July 19, 26 2pm Sunday, July 20 $40-85 A multi-award winning show based on the beloved Roald Dahl book with high-energy dance numbers, catchy songs and quick wit.
RNZ News
15-07-2025
- Entertainment
- RNZ News
New Kiwi comedy follows the fortunes of a struggling theatre
The show must go on, as they say in the theatre. New Kiwi comedy Workmates looks at the lengths two close colleagues will go to to keep their beloved indie theatre from going under. The film's been written by Sophie Henderson, who also plays main character Lucy and it's directed by her husband Curtis Vowell. It draws heavily on Sophie's experiences running The Basement Theatre in Auckland, which also serves as the location for the film's fictional theatre The Crystal Ballroom. The idea for it materialised during the pandemic, when many theatres struggled with repeated lockdowns. This is Sophie and Curtis' third feature film together, after 2013's Fantail and 2021's Baby, Done. Workmates will have its premiere at the New Zealand International Film Festival before it goes for general release date from August 21.
