16 — Howick and Pakuranga Times, Thursday, September 13, 2018 ■■ Review
DINING & ENTERTAINMENT
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Matthew, Mark, Luke & Joanne By Carl Nixon (NZ)
8-29 September 2018 Review by Erina Smythe his intriguing comedy-drama by NZ playwright Carl Nixon explores the tendency to listen to people who tell us ‘how to think’. It’s about a ‘light bulb’ moment experienced by Matthew in the supermarket and how his friend Mark, and wife Joanne react to his inexplicable decision to become a Christian.
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That sounds fairly simple, but this play is far from that. Director Ian Milnes has designed a very pertinent set using the versatile entire black-box of the Howick Little Theatre stage to great effect, lit with dozens of single hanging clear light bulbs - some of them with a subliminal message. This minimalist set is a very clever and relevant idea which totally allows the focus to settle on the three protagonists. There’s no other scenery either - only 3 simple sofas to indicate different locations and almost no props at all. It works. From the opening monologue when Matthew (Ross Stokes) faces the audience with his revelation we are captivated and eager to see how this develops. Ross keeps up his relentless determination in spite of the understandable reactions around him and gives a steady and captivating performance.
The three actors remain on stage throughout which is a fascinating idea to keep the focus on their own relationships with each other and their spiritual feelings. Matthew (Mark Ferguson) as a self-centred materialist brings highly successful comedic reactions and action into play, increasingly believing his friend is crazy and supposedly not even wanting to understand. His many facial expressions and physicality are very funny, but always appropriate and never overdone. The two fights between Matthew and Mark are hilarious and bring a spark of reality to the friends’ relationship. Equally, Jo Crichton’s Joanne shows the total credibility of a woman who is determined not to share her husband with Jesus, and wants nothing less than a divorce. But her ongoing belief in yoga and its philosophy is somewhat counter-active to her understanding of Matthew’s conversion. There is a succinct summing-up at the end, and we are left with a very satisfying conclusion to this piece of fine theatre.
Visual treat for orchid lovers By FARIDA MASTER
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HOWICK LITTLE THEATRE, Lloyd Elsmore Park, Pakuranga
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The Orchid Spring Show will display varieties of orchids that you don’t see in nurseries, says Glenn Poffley (above) an orchid lover; below, Michelle Tung. Photos supplied
e’s been trekking the jungles of Equador, Thailand and China in search of different species of wild orchids. Howick resident Glenn Poffley and his wife Manee have just returned from a World Orchid Show in Singapore and are excited about the Howick Orchid Society hosting the Spring Show at the Howick Fencible Lounge on October 6. Over the last 20 years, the couple has travelled extensively overseas to locations incluidng Columbia, Malaysia, Japan, Australia and Borneo for orchid shows and continue their quest for rare varieties of the exotic potted plant with more than 100 native species in New Zealand. Glenn, a former president of the Howick Orchid Society for 12 years, says that contrary to popular opinion, it is not only women but also men who enjoy growing orchids. He says orchids are very diverse and under strict government agricultural regulation which makes it difficult to get them to New Zealand. “You can only get the seeds, in a sterile flask. The seeds are very tiny and have to be grown in a laboratory environment.” With more than 25,000 registered hybrids the world over, Glenn, who has also judged an Orchid Show in South Africa, says around 300-400 varieties will be showcased at the Howick Orchid Show. “We are one of the stronger clubs in New Zealand and do go to other orchid societies for display,” he says. “The spring show will display varieties of orchids that you don’t see in nurseries and there will be some plants on sale. It will be a visual treat.” The best orchids will be voted by a public popular voting system on October 6. ■ What: Howick Orchid Society Spring Show ■ Where: Howick Fencible Lounge ■ When: October 6 from 9am4pm
Fun facts
The Promenade, 1 Ara Tai, Half Moon Bay. Phone 533 0950. JH14054-V3
■ The most common and wellknown orchid grown in NZ is the Cymbidium ■ When in doubt, don’t water orchids ■ Never sit orchids in a tray of water, they love air movement around the roots ■ Slugs and snails love the fresh new shoots of orchids, especially flower inflorescences ■ Countries such as Taiwan export millions of orchid flower seedlings and pot plants every year earning over $100m