New Zealand reviews
Drama League to premiere Babooshka
[click for PDF version of article from the Timaru Herald] (0.4MB)
Babooshka deservedly a sell-out
Babooshka
The Playhouse
Timaru
The national premiere of Kiki Kendrick's drama with a difference took place in The Playhouse on Saturday evening to a packed and appreciative audience.
The concept of having five women playing the part of one at different ages, all seeking self-esteem, is not new, but to have them appear together, and in a fashion boutique with the audience as the mirror frequently just in their lingerie (as perhaps a natural link with the pre-performance fashion show of outerwear?), certainly gave a modern and at times truly New Zealand twist to the format.
Director Carol Angland has once again drawn the best from her cast, and while the spare set and lighting were realistically provided, the costuming, literally off the rack mostly, took the prize for originality - along with Kate Bush's haunting background song and the voice-overs given by John Fitzsimons and Jane Coughlan.
Aided by choreographer Alison Gray and assistant director Clair Leistra, Ms Angland had her image-conscious cast synchronise their development and intricate movements beautifully in what gives a new meaning to the idea of intimate theatre.
Katrina Goodger, a newcomer to the SCDL ranks, gave a highly convincing version of a young, pert and careless salesgirl (her "We've only got what's out" grew increasingly meaningful!)
Diana Steven brought out the best of the ultra-chic second age Anna with boyfriend woes while Erin Kirkwood personified the recent mother despairingly trying to fit her enlarged frame into appropriate figure-reducing dresses.
Raewyn Guise just about rocked her socks and everything else off in her not so inner pre-divorce turmoil and Pat Bartholomew as Anna 5, literally on her way to a mission, presented the finally accepting version of women who really see the inner self as more important than the outer display - just as the Russian Babooshka dolls do.
Babooshka is deservedly sold-out, with such impressive and ultimately tasteful performances. Well done, Drama League.
Gordon Prowse
Audience reviews
Good fun and very enjoyable.
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Neville Orford
Retired
Excellent play and theme. Loved it all. Great acting by all.
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V. Cournane
Radiographer
Loved the way the characters all grew on me through the play. Underlying message comes through so well.
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M. Mulligan
Farmer
Very well presented. Acting excellent. Voice production excellent.
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Jan Waller
Pianist
Most enjoyable and entertaining.Well done.
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Ngaire Orford
Retired
Enjoyable performance. Entertaining ,funny, sad and compassionate. I’m sure every woman can relate to it.
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Dawn Edwards
Accountant
Barry Edwards
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Electronic technician
Good bit of humour.
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Paul Huntley
Mechanic
Great show. Could relate to everything in show.
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R. Stocker
Grocery assistant
One of the best plays I have ever seen.
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Wally McSherry
Funeral Director
The theme was very good. A message really needs to be put out in front of women of all ages. Sadly we all leave it until later to get it. Good luck for future productions.
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Denise Machpherson
Langridge Rd, 25 RD Temuka
Brilliant production. Well directed. Great actresses who were brave and uninhibited. An important message.
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Mary McSherryvwmmcsherry@xtra.co.nz
G.P.
Strong and brave.
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Colin Matthews
Information Technology
Loved it. Smiled the whole way through. Can totally relate all the way through to 40 something.
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Michelle Johansson
Desperate housewife.
Fantastic
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Gerald Green
Pipe organ builder
Eat your heart out Hollywood. Here comes Timaru.
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Denise Green
Very believable characters. I think the message behind the play is an important one.
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Ian Jacksonvianjackson1969@hotmail
Teacher
Fantastic show. All girls cast very well.
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Terzen Goodger
Retail Manager
Loved it.
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Hamish McIntyre
Draughtsman
Outstanding lighting. Wonderful choreography. Overall a polished performance. Thank you.
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Jenny Wallace
Floral art tutor
Well done. It was great. Cast fantastic. Just loved something different! A great show. Well done girls.
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Judy Stevens
Well - a learning curve in female behaviour!! – language and all. All’s well that ends well. Thoroughly enjoyed.
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Helen Henderson
It was really good especially the end part where they all had their different parts. It was awesome.
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Megan Chiaki, Student
Well done. Great direction.
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Nanette Wright QSM
Drama teacher
A great play. They adapted their characters very well.
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Nakita Robinson
Student
So true “as a woman’
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C. Bootherstone.
Absolutely fabulous!! Haven’t laughed so much in ages. Congratulations. Well cast.
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The lives of women covered all the times in their lives. Well done.
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Very entertaining. Wonderful. Interesting dialogue. Expressions and sayings great.
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It is as relevant to New Zealand women as it would be to UK women.
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Laughed myself silly.
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Absolutely Fab!! Very “down to earth”. Great comedy and mix of emotions. Loved the interaction with audience.
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Great acting. Very amusing. Excellent entertainment.
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Timaru T shirt. Feel – Touch – Taste
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Happy Camper
Thought provoking. Interesting.
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Really hilarious and so apt and relates to all females in a changing room.
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Very well done. An excellent varied night out.
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other “40 somethings”
Thoroughly enjoyable. A good slice of life. So-o-o entertaining.
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