Binge Culture invites students of the VUW theatre programme to attend an open rehearsal, 4.30-5.30, Thursday 16th September (after the avant-garde lecture) in 93 KP.

We’re trying out some new material and would love to have your involvement as audience members, and to hear your responses as theatre makers.

We look forward to seeing you there,

-Claire, Fiona, Joel, Simon, Rachel and Ralph
 
We Totes Can! 31/07/2010
 
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We're doing our bit to get the Gandalf to all of us Frodos, David O'Donnell, made academic idol at Victoria. Check out the facebook page and make sure you text 'David O'Donnell' to 027 CUSTARD or email editor@salient.co.nz
 
 
First rehearsal today for our next theatre project. Working titles include This Rugged Beauty, The Great New Zealand Story and Binge Culture's Golden Days.

We're making it as part of our residency in the Victoria University theatre programme, and we'll be presenting working rehearsals and scenes through the trimester to the students, with the aim of a full length show at the beginning of 2010.

-Ralph 
 
 
Today is the 82nd anniversary of sliced bread.  It was described at the time as “the greatest forward step in the baking industry since bread was wrapped".

7 July is also two years since our first show, 1001 Things You MUST Do Before You Die, opened. Its also a year since the opening of the first version of Animal Hour.

Its been emotional.
 
Thanks! 12/04/2010
 
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Thankyou to everyone who came and saw the show in Wellington and Auckland. 

If you voted in the polls,
If you had a crack at the riddle, 
If you had a saveloy thrown at you,
If you really tried to help Simon out, 
If you just turned up pissed and whooped intermittantly,
Thanks again, we really enjoyed having you (and you'll be man my son).

Love from Rose, Simon, Claire, Rachel, Ralph, Fiona, Gareth, Jake, Steph and Joel.
 
 
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There's been a couple of great pieces on the company's current trip to Auckland and the show in the NZ Herald, have a look!




Review by Janet McAllister:

"In two devised, semi-experimental pieces, the young, university-based Binge Culture Collective creates some disturbing and fascinating theatrical moments which draw links between consumer society, national politics and the worst of our allies' illegitimate acts. New Zealand isn't isolated; it is implicated...
...The show's layers have cohesion without narrative, and memorable imagery without a tricksy "physical vocabulary"". 
Check out the review here

Feature article in "Time Out" by Dionne Christian:

"Rather than assuming characters and working from a script, players blur the lines between themselves and their stage alter egos and, in turn, with audiences.
"You're never quite sure if the people on stage are being themselves or playing a character," says O'Loughlin, who produces the show."
Read the article here

Best book now- the show finishes in Auckland on this Saturday 10th!
 
Salient points 01/04/2010
 
"Exceeded Expectations."

Check out this write-up in Salient magazine by Alison Embleton, who saw both orginal versions:

"...Binge Culture Collective are truly a treat to watch. You’ll laugh, you’ll wince… you’ll never think of saveloys the same again. Whether you’ve seen their previous shows as standalone works or you’ve never even heard of them, you’ll get your moneys’ worth and something to put in your Facebook status from Elimination Rounds."

FULL REVIEW

Joel: "The excitement for me is in engaging with the audience and I think it’s quite primal."

Have a look at Salient theatre editor Uther Dean's lively interview with the directors about the shows and what it is we are aiming for with them.
 
Reviews 31/03/2010
 
We've got one more show at BATS tonight before Auckland!
Two reviews out today:

John Smythe from Theatreview says:

"It is very clear that the performers are fully present to each beat of action, riding the swells and troughs of every emotion in the process, so the ‘truth’ of it all is never in doubt. What remains is an undeniable evocation of a ruthless, selfish, all-consuming world in chaos." Full Review

Laura McQuillan from Wotzon says:

"The Binge Culture collective are showing grownups and professionals how to make an original performance that really appeals to an audience and gets them involved in the show. Go and see the show before it ends on April 1! Otherwise you’ll need to travel to Auckland to catch it between April 6-10." Full Review

Better book now!

 
 
 
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Elimination Rounds is on in Wellington this week.

In it, there’s a leafblower, a feeding frenzy, and a lion mauling.
People appear to be in danger. 
Bubblewrap invades. 
Gravity exerts its force upon objects.
Love blossoms and dies.
Wellington is built and destroyed by a monster.
And there's a live band!

Book at BATS for the three night season this week

Or online on our homepage for Auckland 6-10 April

Read about it in The Capital Times
 
 
We got "Best Outdoors" at the Fringe awards. Thanks to Fringe for the party, and to everyone who came to the show, you were great. Hope we can do it again sometime!

Now its all hands on deck for Elimination Rounds, the juggernaut that will trundle up to BATS and Basement at Easter. There's only three nights at BATS so book early!

We've been watching the video of Drowning Bird from almost a year ago, thinking about what we'll change. Doing the whole brutal honesty thing. Starting the next evolution of Animal Hour tonight. There's going to be some suprises!