Review – Constantinople
When: Until the 18th of March @ 10:15 PM
Prices: Adults $24 | Conc. & FB $20 – Buy Tickets
Company: Theatre Beating | Twitter | Facebook
READ our Q&A with Barnie Duncan here.
What happens when a couple of actors/comedians/DJs and all round fun guys decide to make a show about the history of Constantinople? Well, you get 60 minutes of absurdist theatre that’ll leave you in stitches and sore cheeks from laughing too much.
Trygve Wakenshaw (Squidboy) and Barnie Duncan are two kiwi actors who are part of a little company called Theatre Beating. They both have a compelling stage presence, some bizarre ideas and above all else, excellent comedic timing.
The show doesn’t really have a plot and that may bother the more conservative audience member. But what it does have are numerous laugh out loud moments, clever jokes and an epic six-minute DJ/rave scene. After all, you’re being taught history by Constantine, a stallion, a DJ and a beautician.
My favourite bit was the clever collection of ties*.
This show is best enjoyed with a group of friends, preferable ones with a broad sense of humour.
Pro-tip: Don’t eat the grapes.
*You probably don’t get that comment, which is why you should go see this show.
When: Until the 18th of March @ 10:15 PM
Prices: Adults $24 | Conc. & FB $20 – Buy Tickets
Company: Theatre Beating | Twitter | Facebook
That Constantinople show was quite ridiculous, but I must be a conservative showgoer. The ties (that bound the plot) were rather smart though. And I do like the song ‘Istanbul (Not Constantinople)’ under any circumstances.
You’re right. Constantinople was utterly ridiculous. And incredibly fun. The freeform narrative was refreshing and kept the show as lighthearted entertainment rather than bogging audiences down in a history lesson. The “stallion”, although an odd premise for narration, was performed very well (anthropomorphic animals never being an easy role). If you like history, or horses, or house music, or pepper, or ties, or men running around in togas, or grapes, I would recommend Constantinople (not Istanbul).