We had The Hits host, former Breakfast presenter and AAF ambassador, Matty Mclean, share his thoughts on Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival.
Hey Matty! What has been your favourite show within the festy so far?
This must be what it’s like when someone asks a parent who their favourite child is! They’ve all been amazing, but as a musical theatre kid from way back, I have to give props to the incredible production of SIX the Musical. The high energy show was something to behold. The singing was phenomenal. And here’s the mark of a great musical — the soundtrack has been on REPEAT in my household ever since de we saw it.
Any more on your list before the Festival wraps up?
My husband Ryan and I are suckers for a good circus, and the team at Cirque Alfonse have their show Animal which looks phenomenal. It sounds like such a good mix of huge laughs and edge-of-your-seat tricks, so I cannot WAIT!
If you had to step in and join the cast of a show, which would it be?
I’m a sucker for some audience participation, so I will admit to sitting up a bit straighter in my seat during SMASHED – The Nightcap, which was an incredible cabaret performance inside the Spiegeltent in Aotea Square. It was just so FUN! You desperately wanted to be part of the gang, and even though I didn’t get pulled up from the crowd, you really did feel like you were in the show.
What is your go to bar and dinner spots before heading to a show in the city?
I’m a sucker for a dinner on Fed Street — Depot and Fed Deli are classics on the Auckland dining scene fog a reason. Love the schnitzel and poutine at Fed Deli, and can’t go past the sliders at Depot. Plus it’s so close to the Auckland Arts Festival action! Perfect spot.
