Saw Toi Whakaari NZ Drama School’s second-year production of one-act plays by Harold Pinter and Caryl Churchill, which they group-titled ”After Democracy”.
It’s a good series of pieces all with political subjects (per the title). Pinter’s Mountain Language opens, which demonstrates military torment of an occupied people; and Pinter’s Party Time, in which the glamourous elite smarm while trouble brews in the streets, finishes.
Between is Churchill’s oddly-formed Far Away, which itself has three parts (so loosely tied it took some googling after the fact to work out the same characters were in each part). The third of these took me out of the show completely; it pushes too far into absurdity with tales of animals and professions choosing sides in a complex global war, and came off much like an unused and typically overlong season five Monty Python sketch. It was made up for by the second part with the hatmakers, which is probably the piece I’m going to remember for the rest of my life – excellent stuff.
Nevertheless, the whole piece was a fun and intriguing time, making good use of space and a large cast. It’s definitely worth a look if you’re up Newtown way. On until Weds at 8pm.
3 thoughts on “After Democracy”
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Saw a poster, wrote it down, haven’t made it yet.
Hey Morg thanks for the plug and for coming the other night! We’ve had pretty small houses, but a bit understandable considering the matter. Anywho, hope all is well! xJess
Cheers Jess. You were splendid. Had a really good time, lots to think about.
I think the weather hurt you a lot – longest night of the year, people tend to stay home!