The Plays of the Month in Auckland

Tragedy, comedy, suspense and drama are all part of the theatrical mix this month with plenty of compelling plays about to hit the stage. There are tales about the death of man's best friend, finding yourself trapped in a confined space with strangers, the migrant experience, a moral tale about the dangers of trying to get rich quick and the breakdown of a seemingly perfect marriage.

Belleville

Director: Oliver Driver

Pulsating with slow-burning intensity, Belleville is a gripping portrait of a relationship on the edge of collapse. Married couple Zack (Matt Whelan) and Abby (Sophie Henderson) are on their OE and living in the up-and-coming Parisian suburb of Belleville. She’s teaching yoga and he’s saving lives working for Doctors Without Borders. It’s idyllic in the way that only young love can be, but are they really living the dream or just a dangerous lie?

Belleville is showing at Silo Theatre from August 28 until September 20.

Dog

Director: Jeff Szusterman

A bittersweet and endearing black comedy about an old man who just wants to pay tribute to a loyal friend. War veteran Neville (Mick Innes) has lost his best mate and is busy planning his trusty mutt's funeral. He's determined to do it right but he can't get his hands on a cannon for a 21-gun salute; instead he's playing his dog's favourite song 21 times before it's laid to rest.

The funeral's taking ages and Nev's boarder Olivia (Shavaughn Ruakere) and her admirer Warwick (Gareth Williams) find themselves walking an emotional tightrope in order to sensitively speed up the burial.

Dog is showing at The Basement Theatre from August 19 until August 30.

Affinity

Director: Sarah Delahunty

How would you react if you found yourself trapped in a room with two strangers and no idea why you were there? That's the situation confronting the lead characters of Affinity. One person gets angry about being held hostage, another looks to social media and Google for answers and a third lets paranoia get the better of her.

There's only space for 30 audience members around the tiny stage so be prepared to get up close and personal with the actors and other audience members in this tense and intimate drama which moves from the seemingly real to the definitely surreal.

Affinity is showing at the Basement Theatre from August 12 until August 16.

Kiss the Fish

Director: Justin Lewis

From the production company that brought you Krishnan’s Dairy and Candlestickmaker, Kiss the Fish is a theatrical eruption of colour, comedy and creativity. Freddy Mercury wannabe/lookalike Sidu is confronted with an opportunity to get rich quick, however the opportunity comes at the price of his family’s land and livelihood. He must choose between breaking free from poverty and upholding his traditions. He also falls in love. There’s a lot going on here.

The play touches on poverty, family feuds and the dangers of attraction to new and exciting developments. But it’s not heavy; that’s just the way life is. In fact, it’s pretty amusing.

Kiss the Fish is showing at the Q Theatre from August 29 until August 30.

Sunset Road

Director: Miria George

It's Summer in 1975 and two days before twins Luka and Lucia turn 21. Their Cook Island father has worked at the saw mill for 20 years and dreams of a better life for his children. He wants them to go to law school but their mother knows it won't happen. Lucia has her heart set on becoming a beauty queen and Luka wants to travel the world on his motorbike. Sunset Road is a powerful and evocative coming-of-age story.

Sunset Road is showing at the Q Theatre from August 19 until August 23.