A NIGHT ON THE TOWN
BROTHERS IN OPERA: Although they’re from vibrant and culturally rich South Auckland, Pene and Amitai Pati never dreamed they would one day find themselves on the opera stages of the world. However, after finding extraordinary success both in New Zealand and abroad with their cousin Moses Mackay in the award-winning trio Sol3 Mio, the Pati brothers have continued to hone their talents on Adler Fellowships at the San Francisco Opera, where they were the first siblings to take up the chance. During a brief season break, the two brothers are staging a concert to let their Kiwi supporters catch up with what they’ve been up to since leaving home. It’s billed as an evening of song, stories, and of course, their journey from South Auckland to the world. The Pati Brothers, Concert Chamber at Auckland Town Hall, Monday, July 30 BEING HUMAN: Captivating circus artistry meets candid cabaret when the country’s leading circus theatre-makers, The Dust Palace, let fly in its latest performance. A visceral voyage behindthe-scenes of a late-night show and into the lives of the performers, Human isa celebration of our strength, weirdness, mortality and masks, which erases expectations and offers a cheeky look at the wonders of being human. Stage and screen star Shane Cortese joins a cast of 11 elite circus performers taking to the air. International award-winning concert pianist Flavio Villani completes the striking ensemble. Human kickstarts
funding for a new The Dust Palace circus hub to open next year. Human, Rangatira at Q Theatre, Wednesday, August 1-Saturday, August 4
DIRTY POLITICS: It should be the best night of newly-minted politician Aria’s life — the idealistic and charismatic leader of a fledging party has just, against the odds, captured a seat in Parliament. But all is not well; as deals are made that pit the reality of government against the high rhetoric of the campaign, a crisis looms that could destroy the party’s future. It means Aria must decide what or whom she is willing to sacrifice for her ambitions. This new political drama by Sam Brooks, one of New Zealand’s most exciting young contemporary playwrights, marks a major leap forward in the scope of Brooks’ writing, out of the living room and into the cut and thrust of modern politics. Burn Her, Loft at Q Theatre, Thursday, August 2 -August 18