The new Summer Edition of What’s On At The Edge has just come out, along with Silo Theatre’s 2010 billings, and myriad other venue’s up and coming entertainment for the year.

This means music, theatre and dance freaks and geeks can now plan their life to revolve around the offerings coming up in 2010.

Me; I’m a theatre geek. Give me a decent script and some fantastic actors and I’ll be happy.

In the interests of solidarity however, I’ve given a rundown of some different genres that you may want to include in your 2010 social schedule- this is mainly Auckland only, but if anyone wants to put events of interest in the comments, go for it!

Dance:

What: Carmen (Ballet)

When: June-July, Auckland, Napier, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Wellington, Invercargill.

Why:  Ballet is bringing sexy back with this performance and there’s no one more famous for this in ballet than Carmen.

Theatre:

What: The Importance of Being Earnest

When: March 11- April 3, Maidment Theatre, Auckland

Why: Elizabeth Hawthorne, Lisa Chappell, Oscar Wilde. Pretty good combination.

What: That Face

When: March 19-April 20, The Edge, Auckland

Why: This has Jennifer Ward-Leland, who could, in fact, actually act her way out of a paper bag. This play premiered in London to rave reviews- go see it.

What: Rent

When: April 22- May 07, The Civic Theatre, Auckland

Why: It’s from Broadway. How often do we get stuff from Broadway? It’s about "a community of artists, writers and musicians struggling to live and pay their rent."

What: Happy Days

When: August 20-September 18, The Edge, Auckland

Why: With Robyn Malcolm in the lead role and Michael Hurst directing, it’s hard to see where this could go wrong. The plot looks fantastic also- the first line of the summary reads “Life. She’s up to her neck in it.”

What: Thom Pain ( Based on Nothing)

When: September 24-October 16, The Edge, Auckland

Why: Oliver Driver. It was also a finalist in 2005 for the Pulitzer Prize for drama. According to Wikipedia: “ It is a rambling monologue in which the protagonist, who has suffered a lot in his life, tells the story of a bee sting, a boy with a dog that died, and his experience with a woman.”

This description may or may not help the play’s case, but it does look good. And again. Oliver. Driver. Who does rambling monologues better than him? Kidding, kidding.

What: Cabaret

When: October 28- November 20, Salon Perdu, Speigeltent (or, European Mirror Tent) Eastern Viaduct, Auckland

Why: Amanda Billing (Sarah from Shortland St), Liza Minelli (just kidding.) But come on, you get to see it in some crazy tent they’re going to set up- why not?

Music:

What: Laneway Festival

When: February 01, Britomart Carpark, Auckland

Why: This type of festival is the first of its kind in Auckland, featuring top and up-and-coming indie bands. I hear tickets are selling fast and it looks set to be a great party. 

What: AC/DC

When: February 4, Western Springs, Auckland

Why: Well, duh.

What: Lady Gaga

When: March 13-14, Vector Arena, Auckland

Why: She made being certifiably off your nut an instant trend- so if you’re looking to pick up tips from the master, go to her concert.

What: Kelly Clarkson

When: April 11, Vector Arena

Why: If you ever got “My Life Would Suck Without You” or “Since U Been Gone” stuck in your head for long than an ad break, Vector Arena is a good place for you to be on April 11.

What: The World of Rogers and Hammerstein

When: August 7-8, Aotea Centre, Auckland

Why: The New Zealand Symphony Orchestra and West End soloists perform songs from Oklahoma! The King and I, and other popular musicals... I may be the only person under 30 interested in this.

Other:

What: Writers and Readers Festival

When: May 12-16, Aotea Centre, Auckland.

Why: Programme coming soon, but it’s a chance for readers (and writers) to congregate to hear some fantastic authors speak, among other activities (Pen races!...No pen races.)

What: The New Zealand International Comedy Festival

When: April 23- 16 May, Main centres.

Why: Are you serious? Go support our local (freaking hilarious) talent and get to see some of the big international names (Danny Bhoy Danny Bhoy Danny Bhoy).

What: The New Zealand International Film Festival

When: July –August, Main centres.

Why: Go see some of the independents long before they make it to mainstream cinema, and see some films that don’t follow a boy-meets-girl, boy-blows-up-stuff, girl-gets-successful-singing-career-through-extreme-pain-and-hardship-while-still-looking-like-a-model, or Johnny-Depp-plays-wacky-character-yet-again-storyline.

Sources:

The Edge

Writer's Festival

Auckland Theatre Company

Royal New Zealand Ballet

Ticketek

Vector Arena

Event Finder

Ticket Master