What people are saying

Final night tribute to Scott Andrew from the cast of RENT
- watch the video below to hear about me from the cast and crew of RENT (Palmerston North, 2008).

RENT Rich and Emotional… At the start of last night’s show, the players seemed to take a moment to gather themselves together, like the run up to a leap; then wow! The leap became a soar. Led by director Scott Andrew, who also plays landlord and ex-flatmate Benny, the ensemble has passion and confidence and will grow even stronger throughout the season. Even the support players are right there in the moment at all times on stage. There are wonderful voices in this production and even where some are not quite as strong as others, it’s made up for in presentation – a tribute to the director and to musical director Al Warren… The programme has a full synopsis of the story for anyone not familiar with the show – but run, don’t walk, to book a seat at this production. I plan to go again.

- Tina White, Manawatu Standard, May 2008.

Passionate RENT Sensational… RENT is absolutely astounding! It’s a rare production that pushes all the right buttons and bangs all the drums, and succeeds in such an engaging way. Director Scott Andrew and his committed cast have nailed the complications of this sophisticated rock musical and its complex characters, with passion and aplomb… The characters may be misfits with adverse personalities, hang-ups, fetishes and diseases, but these performers in this production make sure we care about them. RENT, with its double meaning of payment and tearing apart, is a beautifully realised production.

- Richard Mays, The Guardian, May 2008.

All the jokes, songs and twists alive in Spamalot… What, as King Arthur comments, an eccentric performance! And what a great show. Cast and crew of the Manawatu Theatre Society pulled out all the stops last night with the New Zealand premiere of Monty Python’s Spamalot… Two nights before the show opened, veteran Palmerston North actor Mark Kilsby broke a bone in his foot. His parts of Sir Bedevere, Mrs Galahad and Concorde were picked up at short notice by director Scott Andrew, who didn’t miss a beat… It’s irreverent, funny, action-packed and colourful, and a great warm-up for the Christmas festive season.

– Lee Matthews, Manawatu Standard, November 2009.

Sophisticated show to WOW audiences… This is a sophisticated hi-brow production that challenges the minds and entertains the audience through a plethora of Sondheim songs. It is not a light and frothy show… (Through) solos, duos and group numbers, the small cast of five works well together with both their rich-toned voices and characterisations. These are challenging roles and the cast require more than just a great voice – it requires dynamic musical theatrics… The simple but striking set is brought to life with ever-changing and effective shadow projections… Scott Andrew’s tight direction and Norman’s choreography ensures the show works well and is entertaining. It could be easy to get the direction of this show quite wrong.

- Sandra Crosbie, Feilding Herald, March 2009

Cast sings up Sondheim storm… Director Scott Andrew, Choreographer Andrew Norman and Musical Director Barry Jones have honed the performers into a crisp, workman-like ensemble. The cast’s strong singing, musicality and timing invests the songs with all the nuances possible… Well worth a visit.

- Tina White, Manawatu Standard, March 2009

Sondheim puts together a treat… The set was minimalist, just as you would expect from the apartment of such a wealthy couple, but enhanced by interesting use of gobos, for different effects such as street facades. The use of levels, hidden windows and trapdoors was also effective… The direction team. director Scott Andrew, musical director Barry Jones and choreographer Andrew Norman have put together a slick, professional show, one that invites reflection but also entertains… I thoroughly recommend this performance.

- Mary Procter, The Tribune, March 2009.

Les Miserables extraordinary… Passion, imagination, talent and teamwork bring about a remarkable production of Les Mis in Pahiatua… A small theatre without a fly tower, much wing space or a revolving stage is no handicap to committed performers, musicians and production crew… The epic tale of redemption set amidst the stark poverty of 19th century laissez-faire France finds an eloquent voice in Scott Andrew’s thoughtfully staged show… Complicated scene changes are handled deftly using a combination of musical masking, gauze, stage trucks and an imaginative lighting plot, while a coordinated and disciplined ensemble position themselves to perfection… this intimate and character focused Les Mis is nothing short of extraordinary.

- Richard Mays, Manawatu Standard, December 2006.

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