International Arts Season

THE EDGE International Arts Season brings the world of performing arts to you. Each year we select leading artists and companies – some of the best work from the world stage – to perform in Auckland so you can experience artistic excellence on an international scale. The Season complements and enriches the work of New Zealand performing artists and companies by providing opportunities for connection with those who set the standard internationally.

THE EDGE International Arts Season 2010 presents:

COMPLEXIONS Contemporary Ballet
RISE
New York contemporary ballet company Complexions, redefined dance to Auckland audiences in 2007 with their breath-taking premiere season. Their highly anticipated return season of new work is now confirmed this September at the ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre. RISE by Complexions, featuring the music of U2 and Rachmaninoff, Billie Holiday and Roy Buchanan is presented by THE EDGE International Arts Season and CAMI spectrum from Wednesday, September 29 for four performances only.
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2009 International Arts Season featured:

The Bridge Project, a collaboration of leading British and American actors under the directorship of Sam Mendes, in Tom Stoppard’s new adaptation of Chekhov’s The Cherry Orchard and Shakespeare’s The Winter’s Tale: “Out of an impressive crop of international shows, the Sam Mendes-directed Bridge Project stood out like a colossus. A legendary director at the peak of his powers and a stellar cast delivered stunning interpretations of one of Shakespeare's seldom produced late plays (The Winter’s Tale) and a Chekhov classic (The Cherry Orchard). Live theatre doesn’t get much better than this and The Edge pulled off a coup in securing the show which only played in six cities around the world.” The New Zealand Herald (Dec 2009)

Dancers Sylvie Guillem (France) and Russell Maliphant (UK) in PUSH, a four piece commission by Sadler’s Wells: “...absolutely mesmerising...the partnering is so slick you barely see it. ...I have never ever seen a New Zealand audience give the kind of standing ovation and triple curtain call these two living legends received. It was joyous, triumphant and exorcising on so many levels.” Theatreview (Apr 2009)

An evening of music and song with Broadway stars Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin: “Without a doubt, Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin will be remembered for some time for giving us a privileged glimpse of what the Golden Age of Broadway was and is all about.” The New Zealand Herald (Jul 2009)

Italy’s commedia dell’arte exponents, Piccolo Teatro di Milano, in HARLEQUIN Servant of Two Masters: “a three-hour extravaganza... The entire troupe is masterfully skilled... an overwhelming sense that we’ve experienced something richly historic and extraordinary.” Theatreview (Oct 2009)

2008 International Arts Season featured:

Guitarists John Williams (Australia) and John Etheridge (UK) in concert Together and Solo: “A well-honed partnership... the two Johns delivered a dazzling display...” The New Zealand Herald (Mar 2008)

American contemporary dance company Pilobolus Dance Theatre: “Acrobatics and dance melded together to create fluid body architecture...” NZ Listener (May 2008)

Indian Sitar virtuoso Anoushka Shankar: “Last Friday’s 90-minute concert at a packed Auckland Town Hall amply proved her capabilities to evolve her gift of legacy and trail-blaze into new frontiers. There is no doubt that Anoushka is a star that’s firmly arrived on the firmament of international music.” National Business Review (June 2008)

New York contemporary dance company Mark Morris Dance Group in Mozart Dances: “...a mesmerising spectacle...” NZ Herald (Aug 2008); “...a stunning and absorbing set of dances... potent memories of electrifying dance.” National Business Review (Aug 2008)

British theatrical innovator Steven Berkoff in One Man: “...those who were lucky enough to catch Berkoff's two-night season will have come away enriched by the experience... Along the way we were treated to sardonic humour and moments of sheer brilliance...” NZ Herald (Oct 2008)

Europa Galante, Italian masters of Baroque, in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons: “... Europa Galante proved it has few competitors in the field of baroque-inclined ensembles.” The New Zealand Herald (Oct 2008)

Spanish early-music ensemble Hesperion XXI: “Really enjoyable, eclectic – we were taken on a great journey through all of these different nations and times.” Radio NZ Concert – Upbeat (Nov 2008)

The inaugural International Arts Season in 2007 featured:

Britain’s Royal Shakespeare Company in productions of Shakespeare's King Lear and Chekhov’s The Seagull, directed by Trevor Nunn, with a cast led by Ian McKellen: “[King Lear] is a swiftly paced, lucid and very assured production; and it's only to be expected that McKellen dominates, fully deserving his ovation. The Seagull, though, is ensemble work at its finest. ...It's a wonderfully moving and generous production, with some of the best ensemble acting we've had the privilege of seeing.” NZ Listener (Sep 2007)

American opera diva Julia Migenes in her one-woman show Diva on the Verge: “...a woman of wit and flamboyant with it.” The New Zealand Herald (Aug 2007)

British actress Miriam Margolyes in her one-woman show Dickens’ Women: “Her performance is a virtuoso display of theatrical skill and vocal prowess.” The New Zealand Herald (Nov 2007)

New York’s Complexions Contemporary Ballet in a gala programme featuring the music of Prince, The White Stripes, Nina Simone and Chopin: “Complexions dancers are a hybrid group of extraordinary technicians, who balance their technique with personality and quirky beauty.” Theatreview (Dec 2007)