Michael is performing No Holds Bard at Downstage Theatre in Wellington, 16 May - 1 June 2013.  Click here to book.  Michael was on NewsTalkZB on 16 May talking about the show; listen here.  Read interview 'Spotlight on Michael Hurst' on Downstage's website.

Reviews

Theatreview: " ... a virtuoso performance. His technique is remarkable, the lift of an eyebrow, the pitch of voice, accent, tone and expression are utilised to snap him from character to character.  His one-man fight is fantastic ... and draws appreciative oohs and aahs from the audience. ... Anger, terror, sorrow, regret, the stuff that plays are made of; Hurst conjures each with ease".

Dominion Post: " ... the two great joys of his performance are the physicality which he displays in the comical fights that he has with 'himselves' and his voice that can roar and whisper and still make every word crystal clear ... what a fine and versatile Shakespearean actor Michael Hurst can be".

He will also be performing at the following locations:
Auckland - Q Theatre, One Night with Q - Fundraising Gala (click here to book)
Auckland - Basement Theatre, 4-15 June (click here to book)
Edinburgh - Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Assembly Roxy, 1-24 August (click here to book)

The show is over, the audience has left, and Hamlet comes home to his dingy flat to face the final curtain.  But can he make up his mind to do it?  Hilarity follows when Macbeth, King Lear, and Othello arrive to help the hapless prince decide whether or not to be or not to be... or not.

No Holds Bard sees Michael join forces with two of New Zealand's freshest writing talents for an outrageous and at times profound view into one actor's attempt at self destruction.

Michael's debut solo performance melds his mastery of the Shakespearean form with an irreverant comic edge.

NO HOLDS BARD: absurdity, schizophrenia and blank verse.

See the No Holds Bard website for reviews, pictures, production history, etc.

RECENT REVIEWS

Nelson Mail:  "incredibly clever, funny piece of theatre...Hurst brings each protagonist to life in an astonishing feat of sleight of hand, eye and mind...The actor sustains the show's frenetic pace and energy, culminating in a spectacular fight between Macbeth and Hamlet, or Hurst against himself.  He's a knockout!"

Theatreview:  "an exhilerating 70 minutes...This is a performance not to be missed.  It is an opportunity to see and hear New Zealand's master Thespian at work".

Canberra Times:  "solo performer Michael Hurst displays a comedic tour de force of mighty mirth, brilliant timing, stunning slapstick pratfalls, hilarious parody and knockabout characterisation...will have you chortling in your chair or captivated by the actor's art".

THE ACTORS' PROGRAM

Michael and Jennifer are founders and members of the Artistic Board of The Actors' Program.  The 2013 class began the program on Monday January 20th; see The Actors' Program's Facebook page to meet the students.  Jennifer was the tutor for singing on 22-24 April 2013, and Michael taught a stage combat class on 17 & 23 April and 1 & 8 May 2013.  Check out our Actors' Program combat class page for pictures from training and rehearsal.  The video below shows the students' performance at the end of their combat training:

Michael will also teach the Shakespeare segment on 1-11 July 2013.

SPARTACUS: WAR OF THE DAMNED AIRING IN NEW ZEALAND

Michael directed two episodes of Spartacus: War of the Damned.  Episode 3.4 'Decimation' aired 28 April 2013 on the BOX, and 3.9 'The Dead and the Dying' will air on 2 June.  Check out the promo for 'The Dead and the Dying' below:

In 2011, Michael was a producer for Spartacus: Vengeance and directed ep. 1' Fugitivus' and ep. 6 'Chosen Path'.  He also had a cameo in ep. 9 'Monsters,' playing a Roman soldier.  See screen captures here. 

He previously directed Spartacus: Blood and Sand episodes 5 'Shadow Games,' 9 'Whore,' and 12 'Revelations'; plus Spartacus: Gods of the Arena episode 3 'Paterfamilias'.  See our pages for screen captures and other info for 'Shadow Games', 'Whore', 'Revelations', and 'Paterfamilias'.

JENNIFER TO SPEAK AT DANISH ACTORS ASSOCIATION CONGRESS

Jennifer will be a guest speaker at the Danish Actors Association Congress in Copenhagen on 26 May 2013.

Jennifer voiced Durable Duck in a new season of Buzzy Bee and Friends, airing weekdays at 3:00 p.m. on TV2.  (Moving to 6:25 a.m. on 29 April 2013).

The show also features the voice talents of Madeleine Sami, Stephanie Leibert, Richard Simpson, Merv Smith, John Barker, and Danielle Cormack.

Click here for the official Buzzy Bee and Friends website.