Up-and-coming Auckland - this week's recap

On Tuesday evening, I went to the most fabulous production of "the Tempest" with six of my friends for only $15NZ. It was at this alternative theater type place on Cox's bay in town. At one end there was a small stage, at the other end, a balcony overlooking the bay. The "stage" for the play was actually the entire space. Audience members lined up along the sides of the rooms and at tables in the center of the room. The actors entered and exited through all the doors including the kitchen and the closets. During intermission, Ursula and I walked out on the balcony and the moon was shining down on the water like a spotlight even though it was only a sliver and the lights of the city across the bay seemed to be flickering- it was just magical. I woke up the next morning and felt like it was a dream.

Last night, I saw something equally amazing but totally different than the Shakespeare thing on Tuesday. It was called "Women and Honor: Notes on Lying"- about women, men, relationships, etc... abstract, alternative, simple, edgy. It was in a massive square room with high ceilings and about 120 chairs lined up around three sides. The production began with eerie music and a film projection of unclothed women in different poses onto a curtain with a female voiceover, then four actors/dancers appeared. There was one short monologue by the only male dancer describing one woman as you would describe a car, and a few voice overs, but otherwise just music and movement.

I thought as I was sitting on there how Auckland might actually be like Portland was about 10 years ago when I first moved there- everything was just starting to develop- it's the most wonderful time to be living in a city- it's really like the springtime of the city- you know- everything is new- and different things are being tried- people are open to changes. I was thinking how lucky I am to be here right now. Because Auckland is only going to get better.