THE FUNATORIUM’S MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY COMING TO NZ THIS DECEMBER

Auckland Live and Isaac Theatre Royal present

THE FUNATORIUM: MAD HATTER’S TEA PARTY

Hats on! Tea poured! Silly faces at the ready!

Sydney Opera House’s sell-out show Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is coming to Auckland’s Bruce Mason Centre from the 19th of December and Christchurch’s Isaac Theatre Royal from the 27th December for a delightfully chaotic circus for the whole family. 
 
Based on Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland, this spectacular show will be the perfect start to the summer holidays, with the biggest tricks, larger than life characters and catchy tunes.

Complete with a pop-up café, those of all ages will love this colourful display of acrobatics, singing, dancing and roller-skating!

Directed by Mike Finch (former artistic director at Circus Oz) and designed by Melanie Liertz (costume maker for Sydney Chamber Opera, Australian Ballet and Victorian Opera), Mad Hatter’s Tea Party is led by some of Australia’s top acrobats, including Monica Trapaga, one of Australia’s most popular child entertainers.  
 
Topping it off with a female Mad Hatter, a male Red Queen, flamingos and more, this hilariously kooky show will delight children 5+ and entertain the adults – with a couple of jokes in there especially for them.

SHOW TIMES: 

BRUCE MASON CENTRE, AUCKLAND
WEDNESDAY 19 DECEMBER – 11AM
THURSDAY 20 DECEMBER – 11AM
FRIDAY 21 DECEMBER – 11AM
SATURDAY 22 DECEMBER – 11AM & 7PM
SUNDAY 23 DECEMBER – 11AM & 6PM
 
aucklandlive.co.nz 
BOOK NOW
 
SHOW TIMES: 

ISAAC THEATRE ROYAL, CHRISTCHURCH
THURSDAY 27 DECEMBER – 6PM
FRIDAY 28 DECEMBER – 1PM & 5PM
SATURDAY 29 DECEMBER – 1PM & 5PM


isaactheatreroyal.co.nz | ticketek.co.nz
BOOK NOW

MEET WAYNE GARDNER IN SPECIAL Q&A SCREENING

Be one of the first in the country to see and meet one of motorsports most treasured characters. Meet the ‘larrikin kid’ from Wollongong, Wayne Gardner, in a series of special screenings of his biopic ‘WAYNE,’ presented by Mike Pero Real Estate.

Three special screenings in Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington will be attended by Wayne Gardner himself who will take part in an exclusive Q&A after the film. Audiences can hear more from this iconic character and his remarkable journey from a 5-dollar dirt bike to becoming the pinnacle of his sport when became the first Australian to win the World Motorcycle Grand Prix.

Featuring interviews with legends from the sport’s ‘golden age’ including Eddie Lawson, Wayne Rainey, Mick Doohan and Kevin Schwantz, WAYNE is an amusing, inspiring and, at times, wild cinematic ride through the life of a true motorsport legend.

Tickets for the screenings are available through the following links:

AUCKLAND - FRIDAY 17 AUGUST
https://www.rialto.co.nz/Cinema/Newmarket/Promotions/FilmTalk#cinemas=750,751

CHRISTCHURCH - SATURDAY 18 AUGUST
https://readingcinemas.co.nz/movie/6578

WELLINGTON - SUNDAY 19 AUGUST
https://www.lighthousecinema.co.nz/schedule/film/wayne/

Check out the trailer for WAYNE below.

DONAVON FRANKENREITER RETURNS TO NEW ZEALAND IN NOVEMBER

Southern Californian-native, surfer and musician DONAVON FRANKENREITER is headed back to New Zealand this November! Playing a run of coastal tour dates, Donavon Frankenreiter will bring his honey-thick vocals, masterful guitar work and newest album “The Heart” to audiences in Wellington, Tauranga, Auckland, Leigh and Coromandel. Fans will also have the chance to upgrade their tickets to receive a VIP ‘meet and greet’ experience with the artist or an exclusive soundcheck Q&A with Donavon.
 
Tickets for all shows go on sale at 1pm, Friday August 10. Spark customer can secure tickets first during the exclusive pre-sale beginning 11am Tuesday, August 7.
 
For complete tour, ticket and VIP information, visit: livenation.co.nz
 
Known and loved for his positive outlook and easy folk sounds, Donavon Frankenreiter started his professional life first as a surfer, before launching his solo music career as the protégé of Jack Johnson. Born in Southern California, Frankenreiter landed a sponsorship with Billabong as a young teenager and moved to Hawaii when he was 14. There, he rented a home from the parents of Jack Johnson, a fellow surfer and at the time, an untapped musical talent.
 
Music steadily took hold of Donavon’s life and he now has seven full-length albums to his name. His latest album “The Heart”, was recorded in Wimberley, Texas and is without question the heaviest, most intimate and honest material he has released to date. The sessions at Wimberley didn’t include the same privacy afforded to most studios, they were live-streamed online in a soul-bearing exhibition for his fans – talk about intimate and honest.
 
This shorter run of east coast dates is an opportunity for his most loyal fans across the coast to catch up and experience his most recent release, “The Heart” – a chance to reminisce to those playful guitar melodies and rich, intimate vocals we first came to love.

DONOVAN FRANKENREITER
NEW ZEALAND 2018

SAN FRAN, WELLINGTON                                      TUESDAY NOVEMBER 27
TOTARA ST., TAURANGA                                       WEDNESDAY NOVEMBER 28
TUNING FORK, AUCKLAND                                    THURSDAY NOVEMBER 29
SAWMILL CAFÉ, LEIGH                                           FRIDAY NOVEMBER 30
COROGLEN TAVERN, COROMANDEL                    SATURDAY DECEMBER 1

TICKETS ON SALE 1PM FRIDAY, AUGUST 10
Spark pre-sale begins 11am Tuesday, August 7 until 11am Thursday, August 9

WHAT'S ON IN AUGUST

August has arrived and it's looking busy! Whether it’s reality TV on the couch, or a night out at one of Auckland’s newest restaurants, we have the scoop on what to do and where to be.

THE BACHELOR AUSTRALIA

Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins is gracing the screen again, but this time swapping the AFL gear for a suit and tie as he makes his debut as Australia’s next bachelor. Tune in as Nick navigates his way through the 25 women entering the mansion.

Kiwis can catch all the action exclusively on Bravo, 8:30PM Tuesdays & Wednesdays from August 21st. 

RHYTHM AND VINES

It’s NZ’s most coveted New Year’s festival and it’s back for their 17th year! Rhythm and Vines are heading back to Gisborne and we are anticipating the line-up, dropping sometime this month.

Tickets for R&V are available now on their website, purchase here.

MENU BY MANU

After the success that HOYTS has seen in Australia with their HOYTS LUX experience, it has arrived from across the Tasman! HOYTS LUX will host a menu curated by My Kitchen Rules judge Manu Feildel. From duck baos to Malteaser sundaes, it’s a bit different to the movie experience you may know.

AUCKLAND RESTAURANT MONTH

As per their slogan, “it’s time to try something new”. Here are our top picks for the hottest spots to check out during August as part of Auckland restaurant month to get you in the spirit for something different.

Sumthin’ Dumplin’

Located in the heart of the city lies this new entrant to the dumpling game. Making them throughout the day, you can rest assured that these are the freshest dumplings in Auckland.

Check out some satisfying dumpling snaps here.

 Deadshot

This intimate spot in Ponsonby is home to over 1000 recipes, so whether your cocktail taste is classic or contemporary, you’re sure to find your new favourite drink.

Check them out here.

Scratch Bakers HQ

If you’re looking for the most insta-worthy sweet treat, you’ll find it at Scratch Bakers. Located in Auckland central, it’s the perfect place to sneak off to for an afternoon pick me up.

You can see their mouth-watering treats here.

NEW ZEALAND INTERNATIONAL FILM FESTIVAL

SHE SHEARS

As part of the NZIFF, She Shears follows the stories of five female sheep shearers, navigating their way through the often male-dominated world of shearing. It focuses on their individual journeys to the annual Golden Shears, “the world’s premier shearing and woolhandling competition”.

Tickets are still available in Wellington, Dunedin and Christchurch, found here.

MERATA: HOW MUM DECOLONISED THE SCREEN

Merata: How Mum Decolonised the Screen allows Director Heperi Mita to share his mother’s personal archives in a cumulative film. Produced by Chelsea Winstanley, and executive produced by Cliff Curtis, Merata tells the story of the struggles she faced and how she paved the way Maori female film-making.

Merata is screening all around the country, tickets found here.

THE BACHELOR AUSTRALIA PREMIERES ON BRAVO TUESDAY 21ST AUGUST

International rugby star, Nick ‘Honey Badger’ Cummins begins his journey for everlasting love when The Bachelor Australia premieres exclusively on Bravo on Tuesday August 21 at 8.30pm, within a week of the Australian broadcast.

Known for his down-to-earth nature, larrikin one-liners, adventurous spirit, sporting prowess and large personality, Nick, 30, will dazzle his 25 beautiful and accomplished Bachelorettes as they take their first steps towards their potential future beau.

Aged between 23 and 34, these strong, confident and independent women will give Nick more than he bargained for.

Two of the glamorous Bachelorettes competing for Nick’s heart are 23-year-old youth worker Brooke and former Miss World Finalist, Cass.

Fun-loving, sporty and compassionate, Brooke is a proud Indigenous woman who is looking for an aspirational partner that is loyal and nurturing. Much to her embarrassment, the self-confessed rugby lover fails to recognise the ex-Wallabies star on her arrival.

Much like Nick, Cass is passionate about sport, animals and surfing. Arriving at the mansion, Cass is shell-shocked to discover that this is not the first time she has met the Bachelor.

Hosted by radio and TV personality Osher Günsberg, The Bachelor Australia promises a season filled with romance, roses, tears and plenty of drama, as we follow Nick’s journey to find true love.

The Bachelor Australia premieres exclusively on Bravo 8.30pm Tuesday and Wednesday from August 21.

ACTOR BREAKS DOWN LABELS IN POWERFUL SOLO SHOW ‘BIG J STYLEZ’

Fresh from an award-winning season at the NZ Fringe Festival, Auckland Live is proud to announce Jacob Dombroski’s (Ngāi Tūhoe, Ngāti Porou) debut solo work, Big J Stylezwill play in Auckland for the first time at the Herald Theatre 4-7 July as part of the Matariki Festival.
 
Fuelled by his passion for music, dance and acting, Big J Stylez lays out Jacob’s story of being born with Down syndrome and perceived as ‘different’. Overcoming bullying and experiencing violence, Jacob has left the challenges of the past behind to live the life hewants to live. His performance is one like no other you will see this year; honest, vulnerable, brave and profoundly moving.

“Jacob’s energy is like no other. His charisma and voice makes him an unstoppable force on stage,” says director Rose Kirkup. “He has come a long way in his performing. We are thrilled to share this next step in his mahi.”

“It was engaging and held me riveted throughout the piece. It was a work that reminded me what a celebration and powerful force theatre can be” – Apirana Taylor
 
Devised in 2016, Big J Stylez has already won a number of awards including The NZ Fringe Grand Design Award; Most Promising Emerging Artist (Highly Commended); Best Directed Chaos (Highly Commended) and Best of Fringe (Nominated).
 
Big J Stylez is produced by Wellington based theatre company Everybody Cool Lives Here and the show is directed by Rose Kirkup (best-known for her one-woman show I am Tasha Fierce).  Rowan Pierce, (AV designer for World of Wearable Art) is the show’s designer.

Everybody Cool Lives Here is a multi-award winning company which aims to bring the marginalised to the fore through the arts. They wish to connect and empower artists and individuals on the fringes in a process to create unforgettable theatre that promotes acceptance and smashes perceptions.
 
Big J Stylez will play the Herald Theatre from July 4 – 7 with tickets on sale at midday, 22 May at aucklandlive.co.nz/show/big-j-stylez

A WHOLE NEW WORLD FOR AUCKLAND AS ALADDIN ARRIVES EARLY 2019

Today Disney Theatrical Productions confirmed its hit Broadway musical Aladdin will come to the Civic Theatre, Auckland with performances beginning 3rd January 2019.
 
A waitlist is now open for those wishing to be first in line for tickets when they go on pre-sale in August.
 
To register visit aladdinthemusical.co.nz
 
 

“The most extraordinary spectacle in musical theatre history”
Arts Hub
 
“A Broadway spectacular… In a league of its own”
Fairfax Media
 

Based on the Academy Award®-winning animated film, Aladdin made its world premiere to critical acclaim at Broadway’s New Amsterdam Theatre on March 20th, 2014. It quickly established itself as one of the biggest new blockbusters in recent years, breaking 14 New Amsterdam Theatre house records and welcoming over six million people worldwide. Its global footprint has expanded to include productions in Tokyo, Hamburg, London and a tour across North America.
 
The Australian production boasts a cast of 34 and a staggering 337 glittering costumes, which feature 1,225 different fabrics, 712 different styles of beads and almost 500,000 Swarovski crystals. Forty tonnes of exotic flying scenery and 60 tonnes of automation and staging will be transferred to Adelaide in no fewer than twenty six 48 foot trucks to recreate the fantasy city of Agrabah including the colourful marketplace, the lush palace of the Sultan and his princess daughter Jasmine and the legendary Cave of Wonders.
 
The Australian principal cast features Gareth Jacobs in the role of the Genie, Ainsley Melham as Aladdin, Shubshri Kandiah as Jasmine, Adam Murphy as Jafar, Aljin Abellaas Iago, Adam Jon Fiorentino as Kassim, Troy Sussman as Babkak and Robert Tripolino as Omar and New Zealand’s own George Henare as the Sultan.
 

 ABOUT ALADDIN

Based on the Academy Award-winning animated film and produced by Disney Theatrical Productions (The Lion King, Mary Poppins in Australia), Aladdin features music by Tony Award and eight-time Oscar® winner Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast, Newsies, Sister Act, Little Shop of Horrors), lyrics by two-time Oscar winner Howard Ashman (Beauty and the Beast, The Little Mermaid), three-time Tony Award and three-time Oscar winner Tim Rice (Evita, Aida) and four-time Tony Award nominee Chad Beguelin (The Wedding Singer), with a book by Beguelin, and is directed and choreographed by Tony Award winner Casey Nicholaw (The Book of Mormon).
 
Aladdin, adapted from the Disney film and centuries-old folktales including “One Thousand and One Nights,” is brought to fresh theatrical life in this bold new musical. Aladdin’s journey sweeps audiences into an exotic world of daring adventure, classic comedy and timeless romance.
 
This new production features a full score, including the five cherished songs from the Academy Award-winning soundtrack and more written especially for the stage.

 
“Fabulous and extravagant with relentless razzle dazzle”
New York Times
 
“Disney hits magic again” 
Associated Press
 
“It’s pure genie-us!”
USA Today

The animated film Aladdin was released by Disney in 1992 and was a critical and box office smash, grossing over $500 million worldwide (not adjusted for inflation) and becoming the highest-grossing film of the year.
 
The film won the Oscar for Best Original Score and introduced the hit song “A Whole New World,” which won the second of the film’s two Academy Awards as Best Original Song. The Peabo Bryson/Regina Belle recording of the tune soared to #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

 Aladdin is designed by seven-time Tony-winning scenic designer Bob Crowley, six-time Tony-winning lighting designer Natasha Katz, two-time Tony-winning costume designer Gregg Barnes and sound designer Ken Travis. 
 
The production team also includes illusion designer Jim Steinmeyer, hair designer Josh Marquette and makeup designer Milagros Medina-Cerdeira. The music team is headed by music supervisor and music director Michael Kosarin, who also created the vocal and incidental music arrangements, joined by orchestrator Danny Troob and dance music arranger Glen Kelly. 
 
 

ABOUT DISNEY THEATRICAL PRODUCTIONS

 
Disney Theatrical Productions, a division of The Walt Disney Studios, was formed in 1994 and operates under the direction of Thomas Schumacher.  Worldwide, its 10 Broadway titles have been seen by over 160 million theatergoers and have been nominated for 59 Tony® Awards, winning Broadway’s highest honor 20 times.  With more than 20 productions currently produced or licensed, a Disney musical is being performed professionally somewhere on the planet virtually every hour of the day. 
 
The company’s inaugural production, Beauty and the Beast, opened in 1994. It played a remarkable 13 year run on Broadway and has been produced in 37 countries worldwide.
 
In November 1997, Disney opened The Lion King, which received six 1998 Tony Awards including Best Musical. After 20 landmark years on Broadway, it has welcomed more than 95 million visitors worldwide to date, and can currently be seen in ten productions worldwide.  Having played 20 countries on every continent except Antarctica, The Lion King’s worldwide gross exceeds that of any film, Broadway show or other entertainment title in box office history.
 
Elton John and Tim Rice’s Aida opened on Broadway next, winning four 2000 Tony Awards.  It was followed by Mary Poppins, a co-production with Cameron Mackintosh, which opened in London in 2004 and went on to enjoy a six year Tony-winning Broadway run. 
 
Tarzan®, which opened on Broadway in 2006, is now an international hit with an award-winning production in its 8th year in Germany.  In January 2008, The Little Mermaid opened on Broadway and was the #1-selling new musical of that year.
 
Disney Theatrical Productions opened two critically acclaimed productions on Broadway in 2012, receiving seven Tony Awards between them: Peter and the Starcatcher and Newsies, each of which enjoyed a two-year run with the latter launching a two-year North American tour and a record-breaking Fathom Events’ in-cinema release.
 
Aladdin, Disney Theatrical’s 2014 hit, continues selling out on Broadway and has launched five additional productions around the globe.  Their newest hit, the 2018 Tony-nominated Best Musical Frozen, is already setting records in its Broadway run.
 
Other successful stage ventures have included the Olivier-nominated London hit Shakespeare in Love, stage productions of Disney’s High School Musical, Der Glöckner Von Notre Dame in Berlin, and King David in concert.  DTP has collaborated with the country’s leading regional theatres to develop new stage musicals including The Jungle Book, The Hunchback of Notre Dame and Freaky Friday.
 

GUNS AKIMBO STARING DANIEL RADCLIFFE AND SAMARA WEAVING BEGINS PRODUCTION IN AUCKLAND

Adrenaline-fuelled, balls-to-the-wall original action comedy, GUNS AKIMBO, starring Daniel Radcliffe (Now You See Me 2, Trainwreck, Swiss Army Man,The Woman in Black) and Samara Weaving (Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri, SMILF, Picnic at Hanging Rock) begins shooting today in Auckland. Production will also take place in Munich, Germany. A strong cast of kiwi talent joining the international line up is soon to be announced.

The story follows an ordinary man, Miles (Radcliffe), whose mundane existence of scrolling through the same three apps, enduring his office job and longing for the lost love of his much more adventurous ex, is turned upside-down when he finds himself enrolled in a dark social media movement that forces strangers to fight in a city-wide game of death, live-streamed worldwide to a fanatical audience.  

"I am massively excited to be here in Auckland starting filming on Guns Akimbo,"  Says Radcliffe. "Jason Lei Howden has written a brilliant and delightfully insane script, and working with him as director and alongside the fantastic Samara Weaving to bring it to life is going to be a lot of fun. If you see me around Auckland looking very worse for wear and covered in blood and bruises, don't worry, this is probably for filming."

GUNS AKIMBO is written and directed by Jason Lei Howden (Deathgasm). The film is produced by Occupant Entertainment in association with Pump Metal Films and Ingenious Media in an official Germany/New Zealand co-production with Four Knights Film as well as Maze Pictures and Occupant Entertainment Germany.  Altitude Film Sales are handling international sales.

“I’m delighted to be hosting Daniel Radcliffe and Samara Weaving, as well as our German partners, for this exciting co-production between Germany and New Zealand.  I’m sure they’re going to have a ball on the fine shores of Aotearoa!”  says producer Tom Hern.  

Joe Neurauter and Felipe Marino are producing for Occupant Entertainment (The Hallow, Better Living Through Chemistry, The Wackness) and Tom Hern, is producing for Four Knights Film (The Dark Horse, Pork Pie). Philipp Kreuzer and Joerg Schulze from Maze Pictures are co-producing.
 
Michael Mailis from Hyperion Entertainment, Jay Taylor and John Jencks from Electric Shadow, Joe Simpson from Miscellaneous Entertainment, Adrian Politowski and Bastien Sirodot from Umedia, Stefan Kapelari and Mortiz Peters from Koch Films and Will Clarke and Andy Mayson from Altitude Films are executive producing.
 
The Production is supported by the German Federal Film Fund (DFFF), the Film Fernsehfonds Bayern (FFF-Bayern) and the New Zealand Film Commission.
 
Daniel Radcliffe is repped by UTA and ARG Talent and Samara Weaving is repped by WME, Untitled and Shannahan in Australia. 

To download images of the key cast please click HERE

WILSON DIXON RETURNS TO NZ FOR FIRST SOLO NATIONAL TOUR!

Off the back of his sell-out shows at the Dunedin Fringe Festival, Wilson Dixon is back on our shores for the NZ International Comedy Festival and his first solo National Tour with his brand new show "What A Country!".  The Multi Award winning comedian/country singer will perform at Auckland's Q Theatre and Wellington's Te Auaha and tour across the rest of New Zealand in April and May. 

"I'm really looking forward to this tour and the opportunity to bring my country music to the good people of New Zealand. No doubt there will be some people at the shows who ain't good, but hopefully in the fullness of time they'll see the error of their ways and start making some changes." – Wilson Dixon
 
With a number of albums under his belt, including his first album, the seminal Wilson Dixon’s Greatest Hits, Wilson is the comedic mastermind behind hit songs many will be familiar with, including “Love Don’t Live Here Anymore, You Do,” “Daddy’s Drinking Again,”and “I Can’t Look at You When You’re Eating.”
 
Originally from the tiny town of Cripple Creek in Colorado, Wilson is a bit of a national treasure, known to many as the finest exponent of what has come to be known as the “Cripple Creek Sound.” Having grown up in the Rocky Mountains, Wilson was isolated from the rest of the world, cut off from influences like technology and news and spent his days surrounded by a large family, some cattle, horses, a few dogs and an owl.
 
Wilson Dixon has won multiple awards, including the Fred Award (NZ International Comedy Festival), the Golden Chicken Award (Christchurch Intl. Buskers Festival) and the Spank Award (Best Musical Act Edinburgh Fringe Festival).
 
Seize the opportunity to see Wilson Dixon on our shores before he heads off to the U.K for his tour of “For the First Time. Again” where he will cover London, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Cardiff and Birmingham. After the roaring success of his sell out shows at the Dunedin Fringe Festival, this is one not to be missed! 

“deadpan delivery of some of the funniest songs you'll ever hear..." Time Out, UK

"Simply sensational and utterly unmissable" " tvnz.co.nz

“at the absolute top of his game” Sunday Star Times

AUCKLAND’S Q THEATRE (NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL): APRIL 27- MAY 5TH
HAMILTON’S THE METEOR: MAY 8TH
TAUPO’S GREAT LAKE CENTRE: MAY 10TH
PALMERSTON NORTH’S GLOBE THEATRE: MAY 12TH
CARTERTON’S EVENTS CENTRE: MAY 13TH
WELLINGTON’S TE AUAHA (NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FESTIVAL): MAY 15-19TH
BLENHEIM’S ASB THEATRE MARLBOROUGH: MAY 20TH
NELSON'S THEATRE ROYAL: MAY 21ST
WESTPORT'S NBS THEATRE- MAY 22ND
GREYMOUTH'S REGENT THEATRE- MAY 23RD
 OTEMATATA EATERY BAR AND LODGING: MAY 26TH

TOM SAINSBURY JOINS COMEDY CENTRAL AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND

No politician, celebrity or public figure will be safe in Tom’s new digital series premiering now.

Comedy Central Australia and New Zealand is proud to announce that Tom Sainsbury, comedian, writer and playwright, has joined the network as its latest shortform content contributor.

Sainsbury, who has long entertained our nation with his content, went viral on Snapchat after doing satirical impersonations of New Zealand politicians and personalities using the ‘face swap’ filter to cover his face. 

His own creations, like squeaky-voiced excitable Maz, and his famous face-offs of power figures like Paula Bennett and John Key, have fast become social media sensations here, and now, Sainsbury is taking on Australian culture.

His first video for Comedy Central, which launched on April Fools Day (Sunday April 1, 2018)  featured a new character that is well-known both here and across the ditch, Australia's divisive Pauline Hanson. 

Watch the latest video here

“I’m thrilled to have found some new bosses in the crew at Comedy Central Australia and New Zealand,” Sainsbury said. “I love being given the opportunity to play around with different characters and can’t wait to show you who will come out next,” he added.

From this month you can catch Sainsbury’s new characters on the Comedy Central website and social media channels as well as Comedy Central TV on Sky Channel 11.
 

H.E.R.

The enigmatic R&B singer/songwriter debuts on New Zealand shores this May

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 28 – Quickly establishing herself as one of modern pop’s most fascinating new voices H.E.R. emerged in late 2016 with the breakthrough release “H.E.R. Volume 1,” as a nameless, faceless and practically untraceable personality on Soundcloud. Streamed over 500 million times with co-signs from Janet Jackson, Alicia Keys, and Bryson Tiller, H.E.R. has today announced a debut headline tour throughout Australia & New Zealand, extending The Lights On Tour to Auckland.
 
Tickets go on sale at 2pm, Wednesday April 4.
 
My Live Nation members can be among the first to secure tickets during the pre-sale beginning 1pm, Tuesday April 3.
 
For complete tour and ticketing, visit: livenation.co.nz
 
Never wanting to be the girl who fell for the wrong guy – to end up in a bad relationship or situation, growing up found that she ended up being that girl – her. So, began the project, first created over the course of four years from 15 – 18 years old. “H.E.R. Volume 1” was released under the veil of anonymity through RCA, with the simple instruction of, “I can’t tell you much about H.E.R. just yet but give it a listen”. The release quickly attracted praise and attention from fans and media alike and despite the lack of information provided seemed only to fuel the intrigue and curiosity surrounding H.E.R.
 
The debut climbed to No.1 on the iTunes R&B chart, gaining more than 21 million streams on Soundcloud and attracted more than 3.3 million monthly Spotify listeners – all without a single track being pushed to radio. The mature songwriting quickly established herself as an artist with a keen skill for channeling the pain and ecstasy of life through a variety of sonic moods. The follow up “Volume 2” was released a year later, before the two were bundled into a compiled release titled “H.E.R.,” demonstrating the full palette of her writing, whilst staying true to the intimacy that garnered so much initial adoration and acclaim, throwing in a dusky, acoustic-tinged Daniel Caesar duet on ‘Best Part.’
 
With notable performances including a North American tour supporting Bryson Tiller, an appearance at BET Experience 2017 alongside Snoop Dogg and Khalid as well as a SOLD-OUT debut headline tour across the U.S. and Canada – now the mysterious trap soul heartbreaker finally makes her roof-shaking New Zealand debut.
 
 

“The mysterious H.E.R. is the empowering and vulnerable voice that R&B needs right now” – NME
“Confident seduction…grown and sexy throwback R&B.” – Pitchfork
 
H.E.R.
THE LIGHTS ON TOUR
 
LOGAN CAMPBELL CENTRE, AUCKLAND                  THURSDAY MAY 24
 
 
TICKETS ON SALE 2PM WEDNESDAY APRIL 4
My Live Nation pre-sale: 1pm Tuesday April 3 until 1pm Wednesday April 4
 
For complete tour and ticketing information, visit: 
her-official.com & livenation.co.nz
 

To download high res press images click HERE: 

THE CUBAN DANCE REVOLUTION RETURNS!

DIRECT FROM CUBA TO AUCKLAND THIS QUEENS BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

Direct from Cuba, Ballet Revolución – the show that has taken Europe by storm – returns to NZ this Queens Birthday weekend for two nights of breath-taking performances at The Civic.
 
Fresh from sold-out shows from Singapore to Berlin, Vienna and London and right across Australia, leading Australian choreographer Aaron Cash, along with Cuban choreographer Roclan Gonzalez Chavez have blended breath-taking contemporary moves with salsa and Cuban dance to produce a unique fusion, the result an explosion of unbridled passion and raw energy, complete with a distinctly Cuban flavour guaranteed to deliver audiences a magical night out.
 
“An irresistible Cuban cocktail of ferocious sensuality,” raved The Australian after their previous show’s world premiere in Sydney. “It is dazzlingly fast-paced, humorous and sizzlingly hot- blooded,” gushed the Daily Express after the sold-out performances in London, while the Tagesspiegel wrote after the German premiere in Berlin: “Once the Cuban dancers get going with their athletic bodies and exuberant temperament, it gets really hot.”
 
Audiences all over the world simply cannot get enough of the Cuban dancers’ exuberant energy and contagious joy. Full of breath-taking twists, daring jumps and sensual moves spanning dance styles from ballet to street dance set to a soundtrack of the worlds biggest hit songs from the likes of Adele, Prince and Coldplay, Ballet Revolución is a type of show rarely seen on the NZ stage.
 
Dance training is strongly encouraged in Cuba, as dance means more than art, in fact on the Caribbean island, it simply means “life”. The Ballet Revolución dancers were trained at one of the world’s most prestigious dance school, the Escuela Nacional de Arte, with its renowned faculty of modern dance, and at the famous Escuela Nacional de Ballet for classical dance.
 
Boundless passion, attractive sensuality, stunning athleticism and exuberant joy of life, Ballet Revolución combines it all in a fireball of emotions that no one can escape. Presale tickets are on sale at 9am from Ticketmaster with general tickets onsale Wednesday 28thMarch at 9am.
 
BALLET REVOLUCIÓN
The Civic
Friday 1st at 7:30pm
Saturday 2nd June at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Presale tickets on sale from today at 3pm with general on sale tickets from Wednesday 28th March at 9am from Ticketmaster 

For more show information check out the offical webpage HERE:

 
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THE NAKED MAGICIANS BRING THE WORLD’S NAUGHTIEST MAGIC SHOW BACK TO AUCKLAND

Fresh from packing out theatres around the world The Naked Magicians return to Auckland, promising the world’s naughtiest and funniest magic show that strips away the top hats and capes to reveal full-frontal illusions that have to be seen to be believed. Returning to Auckland after a sold out season in 2015 and presented by Auckland Live and SK Entertainment, the Naked Magicians will take the stage at the Comedy Chamber at the Auckland Town Hall from May 1st – 5th as part of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.
 
Starring the clever and seductive Mike Tyler and Christopher Wayne, two of Australia’s most famous magicians, The Naked Magicians combine magic and muscles with riotous laughs that take magic to a whole new level. 
 
“We’re so excited to be bringing the world’s naughtiest magic show back to Auckland,”says Wayne. “We were performing in Florida in the USA recently where it was very hot, so it will be nice to experience Auckland’s cooler Autumn weather, though audiences might find they see a slightly shorter show!"
 
Selling out theatres around the world including Australia, the USA, Hong Kong and the UK (including an extended run on London’s West End), audiences have been quick to take to social media to rave about the show with key comments such as “Deliciously naughty” and “my cheeks still hurt from laughing so much”. In Scotland, the Sunday Herald described the show as “definitely one of the most visually stimulating magic shows in the world” with the UK’s Time Out describing it as “Dynamo, meets Magic Mike!”
 
The 32-year old buff bros went from best friends to performing partners in 2014 following several boisterous audience members asking them to make their clothes disappear.
 
"It's kind of crazy because magic is the second-oldest profession ever and we couldn't believe that no one had combined the two things that everyone loves — magic and nudity," says Wayne.
 
“They say that good magicians don't need sleeves and great magicians don't need pants,”adds Tyler.
 
The Aussie duo have been performing magic for nearly 20 years. The broad-shouldered Wayne, a proud owner of a freakishly long tongue, is the first Australian magician in history to have his own TV series. More Than Magic aired in Australia, New Zealand, England, as well as the United States. The sporty tan lines and incredible physique seen on stage hint at Tyler’s speedo-wearing days. He swam competitively at the Australian National Championships and Pan Pacific Games before becoming a professional magician for corporate events around the world.
 
 “Being on stage doing magic without relying on pockets or sleeves does add that extra challenge and ups our game,” Wayne says.
 
“When we say ‘abracadabra,’ the audience isn’t always looking at our hands,” Tyler jokes. 
 
Presale tickets to The Naked Magicians are available from Ticketmaster from Feb 28thwith general tickets on sale from March 1st.
 
This show includes coarse language, sexual references and some nudity and is intended for audiences 18+.
 

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2018 OSCAR NOMINEE 'ABACUS: SMALL ENOUGH TO JAIL' TO PLAY AT THE NZ INTERNATIONAL FRAUD FILM FESTIVAL

The Fraud Film Festival returns to Auckland in March to deliver two full days of films and documentaries about fraud and its prevention, each followed by a live discussion with experts.
 
Saturday March 3 sees the public invited to ASB Waterfront Theatre for films and panels on the topic, including the chance to see a 2018 Academy Award nominee for Best Documentary.
 
Programme Director Steve Newall says “We are really excited about how our 2018 selections will promote thought and discussion about fraud, and also about screening an Oscar contender just days ahead of this year’s awards”.

Best Documentary nominee Abacus: Small Enough to Jail follows the prosecution of a small New York neighbourhood bank which serves the local Chinese community. Abacus alerted the authorities to the fraudulent behaviour of an employee but then found itself subject to the first US federal bank prosecution since 1991. Director Steve James will find out on March 5, NZ time, if his film has won the Academy Award.

A billionaire investor is an unlikely heroic champion of the people in Betting on Zero. The documentary shows how hedge fund titan Bill Ackman used his resources to take on a publicly traded company, accused by Ackman of being a pyramid scheme. When a rival activist investor enters the fray to thwart his plan, the pair wage a battle over Herbalife’s stock price, Betting On Zero highlights the power of ethical investment and fraud on the broadest corporate scale.
 
Both of these films will be followed by panels of industry experts moderated by journalists, exploring the themes raised during the preceding documentaries.

The closing film of the festival, The Armstrong Lie, comes from award-winning filmmaker Alex Gibney. Having at one point set out to film Lance Armstrong’s comeback, this remarkable documentary sees Gibney grill the disgraced athlete mere hours after Armstrong’s infamous “confession” to Oprah Winfrey.
 
At the conclusion of the film, a former teammate of Lance Armstrong’s - Kiwi Tour de France cyclist Stephen Swart - will take part in a Q&A on stage, talking about how he helped expose Lance Armstrong and the impact it had on him.
 
 

NZ International Fraud Film Festival
ASB Waterfront Theatre
Saturday March 3
 

Abacus: Small Enough to Jail (followed by discussion panel)
Saturday March 3, 1:00pm
 
Betting on Zero (followed by discussion panel)
Saturday March 3, 3:15pm
 
The Armstrong Lie (followed by Stephen Swart Q&A)
Saturday March 3, 6:00pm
 
Ticket information can be found at www.fraudfilmfestival.co.nz

THE BREAKER UPPERERS JOINS SXSW PREMIERE LINE-UP

Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami’s comical feature film The Breaker Upperers has been announced today to receive its world premiere at the prestigious SXSW Festival in Austin, Texas.
 
A hilarious comedy about two best friends who run a business breaking-up couples for cash, The Breaker Upperers was written, directed and stars ‘triple threats’ Jackie van Beek and Madeleine Sami as well as the welcome return of Boy and Pork Pie star James Rolleston to the big screen. Carthew Neal (Hunt for the Wilderpeople, Tickled), Ainsley Gardiner (Boy, Eagle v Shark) and Georgina Conder (Free in Deed, Consent) have produced the film under the Piki and Miss Conception Films banner with Taika Waititi (Boy, What We Do in the Shadows, Hunt for the Wilderpeople and Thor: Ragnorok) an executive producer. The film will premiere at the festival in March before opening in New Zealand theatres on May 3rd.
 
Jackie van Beek commented, “I’m so excited to be premiering our new comedy at SXSW amongst a great line-up of other films. I’m an avid lover of country music, so premiering in Austin, Texas is a double whammy for me.”
 
Madeleine Sami continued, “Jackie and I set out to make a LOL film about two women who make a lot of mischief. I’m hoping we can make a lot of mischief in Austin too!”
 
With buzz around the film already building, The Breaker Upperers is set to be the smash hit Kiwi film of the year. Today’s announcement also sees the release of the films first still showing van Beek, Sami and Rolleston with newcomer Ana Scotney in action.
 
The Breaker Upperers was made by Piki Films and Miss Conception Films in association with the New Zealand Film Commission, Wallace Productions Limited and Department of Post Limited. The film will be co-distributed in New Zealand by Madman NZ Limited and Piki Films Limited and in Australia by Madman Entertainment Pty Limited.
 
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