Destination Beehive
Went to Circa yesterday to see Destination Beehive, and I laughed almost non stop for 80 minutes.
It’s a great production that anyone who has even a small interest in politics will adore. Pinky Agnew and Lorae Perry have combined a topical hilarious script, with some great acting and some mashed up tunes that are very catchy.
The basic premise is that you are in a Meet the Candidates meeting for Port Nicholson. Through a combination of video, and live acting, you meet the ten local candidates, and their party leaders (or senior MPs).
The mixture of video, singing, music, acting and even weather reports are a fabulous combination.
A cast of eight play multiple characters. They all did really well, but the one that I must highlight is Jack Buchanan. His Colin Craig character was side splitting. He also played a leggy Jacinda Ardern and the ALCP candidate. some of the costume changes were done in less than a minute.
The play was updated to keep event of currents events. We went on Sunday, and they had a piece on Judith Collins’ resignation the previous day.
Labour had a secret surprise candidate for Port Nic, who may just turn out to be the next Leader of the Labour Party.
One audience members got dragged up onto stage to get a “political makeover”. What was very funny is that unknown to the cast, the person they chose is a senior ministerial staffer. She took her makeover in good grace!
All parties, leaders and candidates are mercilessly mocked. No on is spared. Kim Dotcom makes an appearance, and his local candidate is a very Bavarian Heidi Dotcodotnz.
Crowd favourite was Dame Kate Harcourt playing the NZ First candidate. She was, as always, just superb.
Whale Oil got more mentions than most MPs. Luckily Kiwiblog was mentioned only once!
There are many great musical parodies, including take off’s of Lorde’s Royals. The crowd really got into it, and started singing along.
There’s also a great dance number at the end that will surprise.
This is one of those plays that I can recommend you see without hesitation. It’s on at Circa until 20 September. You’ll kick yourself if you miss it.