As a trio of fringe festivals get ready to unleash edgy seasons upon three main centres, the events’ directors discuss their role in the arts and pick some must-sees.
When the NZ Fringe began in Wellington almost three decades ago, it was an alternative event set up by local artists feeling overshadowed by the high-profile biennial New Zealand International Arts Festival.
In 1990, the country’s first fringe festival was a one-week event at Bats Theatre. Today, the NZ Fringe runs in the capital for three weeks, with 150 shows, including 30 imports. It has helped spawn seven other events, with the 2019 Auckland Fringe now roughly two-thirds the size of its capital-city forebear, having run annually since 2017.
All share one characteristic: they are open access, which means anyone can stage a performance in any setting. They are places for artists to experiment and debut new work and are an increasingly popular destination for overseas leftfield acts on a global circuit of some 250 festivals, with Edinburgh and Adelaide the largest.
Esta historia es de la edición February 23 - March 1 2019 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor ? Conectar
Esta historia es de la edición February 23 - March 1 2019 de New Zealand Listener.
Comience su prueba gratuita de Magzter GOLD de 7 días para acceder a miles de historias premium seleccionadas y a más de 9,000 revistas y periódicos.
Ya eres suscriptor? Conectar
First-world problem
Harrowing tales of migrants attempting to enter the US highlight the political failure to fully tackle the problem.
Applying intelligence to AI
I call it the 'Terminator Effect', based on the premise that thinking machines took over the world.
Nazism rears its head
Smirky Höcke, with his penchant for waving with a suspiciously straight elbow and an open palm, won't get to be boss of either state.
Staying ahead of the game
Will the brave new world of bipartisanship that seems to be on offer with an Infrastructure Commission come to fruition?
Grasping the nettle
Broccoli is horrible. It smells, when being cooked, like cat pee.
Hangry? Eat breakfast
People who don't break their fast first thing in the morning report the least life satisfaction.
Chemical reaction
Nitrates in processed meats are well known to cause harm, but consumed from plant sources, their effect is quite different.
Me and my guitar
Australian guitarist Karin Schaupp sticks to the familiar for her Dunedin concerts.
Time is on my side
Age does not weary some of our much-loved musicians but what keeps them on the road?
The kids are not alright
Nuanced account details how China's blessed generation has been replaced by one consumed by fear and hopelessness.