MICHAEL IS THE GOLDEN ASS
Last year Michael premiered his newest solo showThe Golden Ass and toured it to 25 towns with Arts on Tour New Zealand Trust. He's bringing it to more places in 2023.
A modern take on Apuleius' first century novel, this fantastical, hilarious, and sometimes terrifying tale is catapulted right into the twenty-first century. This is the tale of Lucius, a young man who, driven by desperate desire and insatiable curiosity, performs an act of magic on himself and accidentally transforms into a donkey. Perilous adventures follow, with Lucius falling into the hands of bandits, maidens, bakers, cultists, witches, slaves, circuses, soldiers, and more.
Hamilton Arts Festival: 26 February and 6 March
Stratford Shakespeare Festival: 2 April (also performing No Holds Bard at Stratford on 1 April).
Q Theatre, Auckland: 11-15 April
Artworks Theatre, Waiheke: 28-29 April
Theatreview: "This is classic story telling: a simple set, simple tech, damn good acting and a relevant tale to tell. The verbal vernacular may burn very delicate ears but essentially this is a plea for empathy in a world, nearly 2000 years ago, gone mad. Relevant now? I think so. Hiarious? Totally. Good theatre? Absolutely".
JENNIFER IN ROCK FOLLIES FOREVER
Jennifer will perform in Rock Follies Forever at Hamilton Arts Festival, 25-26 February 2023. Click here for info and to book.
Jackie Clarke, Laura Daniel, and Jennifer Ward-Lealand fan-girl over the best 1970's British girl-group that never was. Rock Follies Forever is an ode to the fabulousness of the cult British TV series Rock Follies, a show chronicling the ups and downs of three fierce women climbing the ladder to success in the macho world of 1970's rock.
Featuring original songs from the TV show alongside a glam selection of stonking mega-hits of the era.
JENNIFER DIRECTED HANNA
Jennifer directed Cassandra Woodhouse in this one-woman play by Sam Potter. Click here to book.
Being a young mum is supposed to be hard, but for Hanna, raising her beloved daughter Ellie is the only thing she's ever been brilliant at. That's until a DNA test reveals the staggering news that Ellie is not Hanna's child and her 'real' parents want to meet her. Is Hanna obliged to let these strangers into her daughter's life? And how do you explain a mix-up in an overstrained maternity ward to a three year old?
This funny, heartfelt and compelling play asks, what does "family" actually mean in today's society?
MICHAEL TO DIRECT WAITING FOR WAITING FOR GODOT
Michael will direct Waiting for Waiting for Godot by Dave Hanson for Boyd & Brodie Productions, at Q Theatre 30 March - 6 April 2023. It will star Callum Brodie, George Maunsell, and Acushla-Tara Kupe.
Two hapless understudies wait to go on in a production of Waiting for Godot, but will their time ever come? They occupy their time backstage trying to understand art, life, theatre, and their precarious existence within it. This hilariously witty comedy ponders Beckett, showbiz, and just what on earth it's all about. Turns out, the only people who truly understand Beckett's Waiting for Godot are the understudies.
Click here for info and to book.
NO HOLDS BARD
Michael will perform his Shakespearean solo show No Holds Bard at Stratford Shakespeare Festival on 1 April 2023. Click here to book. (He will also be performing The Golden Ass at Stratford the next day).
A glorious tour de force in which four of Shakespeare's greatest creations (a foul-mouthed Macbeth, a confused Hamlet, a know-it-all Othello, and a really humgry King Lear) come kicking and screaming into the bursting, deranged brain of a single man.
Edinburgh Spotlight: " ... a tsunami of a performance ... a breath of fresh Shakespeare air and a comedic head bashing all in one!"
JENNIFER IN THE UNRULY TOURISTS
Cancelled last year because of Covid, The Unruly Tourists will now premiere at the Bruce Mason Centre, Takapuna, on 22-26 March 2023, presented by New Zealand Opera and the Auckland Arts Festival.
In a tale from living memory, a flock of badly-behaved tourists spread a trail of rubbish, fuel a national obsession, make international headlines, and land the visitors in local courtrooms. This genre-defying comedy is written by the award-winning duo of Livi Reihana and Amanda Kennedy (The Fan Brigade), composed by Luke Di Somma, and directed by Thomas de Mallet Burgess. Jennifer plays Margaret Murphy.
Click here for info and to book.
MICHAEL TO DIRECT AND STAR IN KING LEAR
Michael will direct and star in King Lear for Auckland Theatre Company, 13 June-1 July 2023. Benjamin Henson will assist with direction, and Jennifer will also be in the cast, along with Fasitua Amosa, Andi Crown, Andrew Laing, Jessie Lawrence, Colin McColl, Cameron Rhodes, Beatriz Romily, Hester Ullyart, and Tatum Warren-Ngata.
Tender, violent, moving, humbling, King Lear navigates the complexities and contradictions of human nature like no other piece of storytelling. At a time when we are all reconsidering the role of monarchy, Shakespeare's great meditation on succession, family, and country couldn't be more potent.
Click here for info and to book.
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MICHAEL DIRECTED POWER RANGERS COSMIC FURY
In October-early December 2022, Michael directed six episodes of Power Rangers Cosmic Fury. It is expected on Netflix in 2023.
MICHAEL IN MYSTERIOUS WAYS
Michael has a small role in the New Zealand film Mysterious Ways, filmed in May 2022. It is directed by Paul Oremland and stars Nick Afoa and Richard Short.
Mysterious Ways tells the story of a vicar who decides to have a wedding with his Samoan boyfriend, Jason. A church marriage for gay Anglicans is prohibited. God is forced to step in.
Click here for the film's press release.
MICHAEL IN NORTHSPUR FILM
Northspur had its world premiere in Blenheim, NZ on 1 September 2022, followed by a run in cinemas throughout New Zealand. It is expected to have a North American release in 2023.
Michael plays Green in this film set in a violent, post-apocalyptic world. The film also stars Marshall Napier, Josh McKenzie, and Delaney Tabron, and is directed by Aaron Falvey. It was filmed in the Marlborough district of New Zealand in November 2019.
After an electro-magnetic pulse attack, people must survive as best they can, without power, cars, technology, and government. Only the strong survive. A year after the attack, Kellen and his wife Melinda have carved out a life for themselves up a remote and peaceful valley, thanks to Kellan's ingenuity and Melinda's resourcefulness. But slowly, intruders are starting to threaten their cottage. |
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