Tuesday 3 March Union Hall

Tuesday night was a good night for Orientation patrons. First up was a very well attended performance in the Union Hall by Slick Stage and the Topp Twins. Both groups [unclear: nale] from Auckland and usually work independently. However, for this New Zealand Students Arts Council tour they have worked out an integrated show of music, mime and theatre.

Starting with the European hoodwinking the Maori out of his land, the show wends its way through many current New Zealand protest themes; such as multinational influence and racism, not to mention a large dose of feminist issues. The whole thing is loosely held together by (would you believe) two angels, who have been sent to investigate this Southern Pacific paradise and find that not all is well in the woolshed.

Right Behind the Eyes

Slick Stage, comprising Peta Rutter and Peter Rowell, loked after most of the mime and theatre action. Their style is that of good street theatre; short skits, a minimum of props and a message that can't be missed. All this with a great deal of humour that heightens the impact of the serious bits and keeps up the pace of the show. My only doubt is that some of the dialogue skits lacked a theatrical punch. But this didn't seem to matter as the audience were always responsive to the message.

The best bits were the mimes and the more stylised pieces that gave a visual effect to help the words. Both Peta Rutter and Peter Rowell gave good performances; with the latter's melodious voice and ease of movement especially evocative.

Country Blues

The Topp Twins are indeed twin sisters who have perfected a kind of nutty song and dance act. Their ingrained farming backgrounds give a deal of credibility to their dumbo country bumpkin personas. This is a great foil for their combination of a basic blues guitar style, pointed and sometimes moving lyrics and crazy humour. All of which had the audience in raptures.

Their perfect timing is as much a key to their success as is their energy. But perhaps their greatest assets are their bluesy voices, identical in tone, and used to great effect.

Altogether both groups gave a most enjoyable evening's entertainment. None of the themes were very new, yet they were - presented with such vitality that the audience were carried along anyway. Thought provoking, yes; but on the whole more of a good rabble rouser.