Past PRODUCTIONS - Critical acclaim
Photography by Andrew Malmo - www.malmo.co.nz
The Pitmen Painters
2011
by Lee Hall
Q Theatre, Queen Street, Auckland
with Calum Gittins, John Glass, Elizabeth Hawthorne, Edward Newborn,
Stephen Papps, Joseph Rye, Geoff Snell, Josephine Stewart-Tewhiu
directed by Paul Gittins
design by John Verryt
lighting by Nik Januirek
"The success of this production of Hall's fine play lies in the quality of the performances and the excellence of the supporting cast of director, set, lighting and costume designers. These are some of our most experienced and skilled theatre people working at their best on a complex and difficult play and its unqualified success is down to the quality of the ensemble teamwork and individual commitment." - National Business Review
"It's a superb cast and director Paul Gittins moves them around the stage in a series of tableaux which are like animated still life paintings. Each of the actors creates believable characters with a strong sense of emotional solidity." - Theatreview
The Chairs
2009
by Eugene Ionesco
Maidment Studio, Auckland
with Michael Lawrence, Cristina Ionda, Denis Snoad
directed and designed by George Tudor
lighting by Michael Craven
(performed in English and French)
"In other hands, this could be tiresomely portentous, cold or simply depressing, happily however, with this small show Potent Pause Productins continue their habit of staging plays, often stylised european classics that otherwise be forgotten - in engaging and accesible ways." NZ Herald
The Homecoming
2007
by Harold Pinter
Herald Theatre, Auckland
with David Aston, Eddie Campbell, Lisa Chappell, Ross Duncan, Michael Lawrence, Sam Walsh
directed by Paul Gittins
design by John Parker
lighting by T.O. Robertson
"Potent Pause Productions has assembled an enormously talented cast who revel in the opportunity of taking on roles that defy any singular interpretation
...If Pinter is to connect with the mainstream audience, here you couldn't
wish for a better vehicle than this scintillating production of the play
that is often described as a masterpiece".
NZ Herald
"This production manages to convey the changing dynamics of the family and
maintain the narrative interest as well as giving the humour its place with
some fine acting and staging".
NBR
Sexual Perversity in Chicago
2005
by David Mamet
Greenwich Playhouse, London
with Will Birch, Michael Lawrence, Emmy Happisburgh, Susannah Saary
directed by Miles Taylor
lighting by T.O. Robertson.
"All in all, even though I knew very little about this play before I
went, I thoroughly enjoyed it. Well acted and directed with a couple of
absolute classic rock songs thrown in to get you in the mood..."
New Zealand News UK
"Faux fur bed covers, chest hair, Medallions, Porn cinemas and nylon,
this is the seventies in all its tasteless glory...there are some nice
performances. Not least from Michael Lawrence who plays possibly the least
attractive man to grace a stage..."
The Stage
"...great ensemble acting, intelligent direction by Miles Taylor, and
superb lighting effects by TO Robertson create a production that Mamet,
himself, would find hard to fault..."
Kentish Times
Strange Children by Stephanie Johnson
2005
Herald Theatre, Auckland
with Donogh Rees, David Aston, Sara Wiseman, Rachael Dyson- McGregor and James Maeva
directed by Michael Lawrence
design by John Verryt
costumes by Elizabeth Whiting
lighting by Andrew Malmo
"Strange Children is a challenging idiosyncratic work that expands
the horizons of New Zealand theatre...Rachael Dyson-Mcgregor gives a
wonderfully vivacious performance as Lotti's daughter Rosina ..... The
historical figure of Lotti Wilmot is brought to life by Sara Wiseman's
refined performance and powerful stage presence ....."
New Zealand Herald
The Caretaker by Harold Pinter
2004
Maidment Studio, Auckland
with David Aston, Michael Lawrence and Edward Newborn
directed by Paul Gittins
design by Jennifer Walling
lighting by Andrew Malmo
"a polished reading of a classic that deserves excellent
houses...This cast, who all manage the accents effortlessly and
unobtrusively give it a top-shelf treatment...David Aston gives the shows
standout performance...outstanding"
New Zealand Herald
Miss Julie By August Strindberg
2003
Maidement Studio, Auckland
with Katherine Kennard, Michael Lawrence and Donogh Rees
directed by Vadim Ledogorov
design by Rachael Walker
lighting by Steve Marshall
costumes by Elizabeth Whiting
"Miss Julie packs a punch...all three actors are highly
accomplished... compelling and provocative"
Sunday Star Times
"Deft direction and consummate acting...high theatre"
New Zealand Herald
"...this years most exquisitely realized piece of theatre..."
New Zealand Listener
Marlene
2003
by Pam Gems
Baycourt Theatre Tauranga,
Herald Theatre Auckland
with Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Anna Hewlitt and June Bishop
directed by Ilona Rogers
design by John Parker
lighting by Andrew Malmo
costumes by Elizabeth Whiting
"A fine starring performance...Ward Lealand is glorious as Marlene"
New Zealand Herald
"Ward Lealand captured the voice of the diva brilliantly"
National Business Review
Blue Orange by Joe Penhall
2003
Maidment Studio, Auckland
with John Katipa, David Aston and Paul Glover
directed by Paul Gittins
design by John Parker
lighting by Andrew Malmo
"Three well realized performances...costumes and lighting redolent with subtext"
New Zealand Herald
Old Times by Harold Pinter
2002
Maidment Studio, Auckland
with Theresa Healey, Jennifer Ward-Lealand, Michael Lawrence
directed by Paul Gittins
design by John Parker
lighting by Andrew Malmo
"Paul Gittins directs intelligently, moving his cast like end pieces
in a deadly endgame.... It is fun to see a Pinter as full as vigor as the
day it was written. That, one supposes, is the mark of a classic."
New Zealand Herald
"the action was played out on a simple set, with no distractions from
what are uniformly fine performances of what is a complex, difficult work"
Sunday Star Times
"I loved it"
Radio New Zealand
"icily convincing...the production was as classy as the play is classic..."
NZ Herald
Decadence by Steven Berkoff
2001
Maidment Studio, Auckland
Circa Studio, Wellington 2002
with Sally Spencer-Harris and Michael Lawrence
directed by Paul Gittins
design by John Parker
lighting by Andrew Malmo
"It is to the actors huge credit, coupled with Paul Gittin's assured
direction, that they make these monstrous caricatures fully-fleshed
beings...This gutsy, imaginative show is worth seeing for the marvelous
performances"
New Zealand Listener
"Michael Lawrence and Sally Spencer Harris give scintillating
performances... it is hard to find enough superlatives for Lawrence's
performance. Paul Gittins's production is strong and deceptively simple"
New Zealand Herald
"a magic act...the whole production gives a new and less fanatical
reading and we are given greater access to the human dimensions of the
characters."
National Business Review