What if the North and South Island were two different countries? What if the French had successfully colonised the south? What if there were no Ashburton?
Le Sud
Settlers Museum
Friday, October 8
These scenarios are employed by writer Dave Armstrong to critique underlying cultural tensions in New Zealand in the satirical play Le Sud.
The satire could be a little too biting for some audiences but the packed out crowd at the opening night lapped it up.
It is liberally sprinkled with topical humour, cultural stereotyping and political caricatures.
Conrad Newport has kept what is essentially a political debate moving along at a rollicking pace, leaving us with the desire that our own Parliament was this entertaining.
He has encouraged the tendency to parody in the French team, who relish the conventions and accents they generously apply to their characters.
The North Zealand team are a little more subtle but are spot on with their sharp depiction of their various political types.
The occasional line slip and a piece of unrealistic stage combat are easily forgiven when faced with such superbly portrayed characters.
Gavin Rutherford stands out as typical kiwi bloke Jim Peterson.
Nick Dunbar must be complimented on his flexibility.
His French Prime Minister Francois Duvauchelle is so languid he is fluid.
The cast all have meticulous comic timing.
The laughs started with the hilarious Heather O'Carroll setting up the conference room for the embassy from destitute North Zealand coming to barter for cheaper power.
They continued steadily until the mash up national anthem at the end. Cue thunderous applause.
- Kimberly Buchan
