Best student theatre

Angels in America (Toi Whakaari / Downstage)
Twelfth Night (Studio 77)
Little Box of Oblivion (Studio 77)

Best new New Zealand play

The Hollow Men (Dean Parker, adapted from Nicky Hager)
Pig Hunt (Brian Hotter)
Deliver Us (Paul Rothwell)

Best female actor

Erin Banks (King Lear / Stand Up Love)
Rachel Forman (Falling Petals / Blackbird)
Mel Dodge (Fight or Flight / Uncle Vanya / Who Needs Sleep Anyway?)

Best male actor

Ian McKellen (King Lear / The Seagull)
Jason Whyte (Shining City / Fat Pig / Pig Hunt …if the play had ‘pig’ in the title, he
was there)
Emmet Michael Kennedy (Shining City)

Ones to watch in ‘08

Funk Rabbit – Canadian improv funny guys
BATS – overloaded with bids, and not enough space, the law of economics says
competition means better quality
The Almost a Bird Collective – Wellington can’t get enough of them, and now
they’re all graduates, we’re sure to get a bird hit more regularly
The B-side – Independent Wellington theatre makers are banding together to
grow the sector
Arts Funding / support – The government may well change, and Uncle John’s
pocket certainly won’t be as deep as Aunty Helen’s.

Biggest disappointments

Corner of 4am and Cuba (BATS)
Othello (Downstage)
Part of Me (BATS)

Best of the best

Angels in America
Falling Petals
The Hollow Men

Best new initiatives

Comedy at the Pit Bar at BATS on a Wednesday – Go the Funk Rabbit!
Theatre in bars – Go The Six O’clock Swill at the Mighty Mighty and Yay for Sexual
Perversity in Chicago at the San Fran Bath House, Theatreview. Online debates raged. Discussions were had. Pseudonyms were
uncovered. And more importantly, you could read a variety of reviews on theatre
all over the country.

Best overseas stuff

The Seagull – RSC
King Lear – RSC
Aurelia’s Oratorio