03 Oct 2018
New Zealand performers supported to attend the Edinburgh Fringe 2018 by Creative New Zealand left with an impressive clutch of awards, glowing reviews and memories of packed houses.
The Basement Tapes performed by Stella Reid and directed by Jane Yonge, and described as ‘Twin peaks meets Serial’ ended an already award-heavy year with a Scotsman Fringe First win. Stella Reid also received a Stage Edinburgh Award for Best performance. The second Scotsman Fringe First went to Last Tapes Theatre Company for Valerie, a piece about mental health, science and family mythologies.
Four and five star reviews and packed houses were also the norm for other New Zealand performers. Arthur Meek and Magnetic North’s Erewhon, was described by Neil Cooper of The Herald (Scotland) as “a witty and lyrical excavation of times past. ****”
The Modern Māori Quartet returned to Assembly George Square with the world premiere of Two Worlds. Donald Hutera writing for The Times said “…the vocals are sweet, skilful and sincerely delivered. This one’s a winner. ****”
A Slightly Isolated Dog made their Edinburgh debut with a riotous retelling of Don Juan at Assembly’s George Square Theatre. Think The Mighty Boosh meets Monty Python. “One of the most enjoyable shows on the Fringe.” ***** Fringe Guru
Not In Our Neighbourhood from Tikapa Productions, was a compelling production, written and directed by Jamie McCaskill it tackled the subject of domestic abuse and featured an astonishing central performance from Kali Kopae.
“We’ve already seen some superb acting at the Fringe this year, but this might just be the most impressive yet.The term ‘tour de force’ is often used, but is rarely as deserved as it is here.” ***** Bouquets & Brickbats
The Moa Show, also from Tikapa Productions, is a comic fairy tale for adults. Three oddball characters hoping for a quiet drink in a pub, are instead magically transported to a mythical land thanks to the charms of a Māori busker. This absurd world was brought to life by Jamie McCaskill.
“Bizarre, charming and hilarious, the Moa Show is truly the perfect Fringe experience. ****” The Wee Review
The award-winning Salon Mika experience brought Mika back for his 10th Edinburgh Fringe. This salon of haka-vogue mixed with cabaret naughtiness introduced Tribal Pop Dance duo Bare Feet Street. Each day Edinburgh festival goers were able to choose when and where Salon Mika performed only via Instagram.
Creative New Zealand will continue to support New Zealand artists to present in Edinburgh in 2019. This is through an ongoing commitment to partnerships with the Edinburgh Art Festival and Edinburgh International Book Festival and by offering opportunities for a range of practitioners to take part in capability building and artistic exchange initiatives in 2019.
Creative New Zealand also recognises the Edinburgh Fringe as an important international market platform and will invite companies with invitations from a major Fringe venue to apply for a maximum of 50% of total costs up to $30,000 from the International Initiatives Presentation Fund in late 2018.
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