Solo show No Holds Bard

Wellington - Downstage Theatre, 16 May-1 June (click here to book)
Auckland - Basement Theatre, 4-15 June (click here to book)
Edinburgh - Edinburgh Fringe Festival, 1-26 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 complete history, reviews, pictures, etc.

Recent 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 ahs from the audience ... Anger, terror, sorrow, regret, the stuff that plays are made of; Hurst conjures each with ease".

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".