An Eclectic Life with Andrew Whiteside: Recent Episodes
Andrew Whiteside
The Effect is a play by British Playwright Lucy Prebble which opens in Auckland on the 16th April 2024. Directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, it stars kiwi actors Sara Wiseman, Jarod Rawiri, Jayden Daniels, and Zoë Robins. Talking to Andrew Whiteside about the production and her part in it is Sara Wiseman.
Rainbow Games ’24 is a LGBTQ sporting event coming to Auckland in early April 2024. It involves three days of competition in 10 different sports.To talk about the initiative is Brad Christensen who is the Co-Chair of the event.
Heartbreak Hotel is a play written by kiwi writers Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken. It’s a comedy drama about the grief and drama we've all faced when a relationship ends. Karen McCracken stars alongside kiwi actor Simon Leary. In this interview Simon joins me to discuss the play, and why he feels he needed to be a part of it.
Sally Stockwell is a kiwi actor who has been in a range of screen dramas. This month she launches a theatrical show called We’ve God So Much to Talk About which is an exploration of motherhood and the myriad of issues connected with that. She sat down with Andrew Whiteside to discuss the show.
REHAB is an improvised play about addiction and recovery conceived by Elizabeth Cracroft and is based on her own experience with alcohol addiction in her youth. The play originally debuted in 2021 but has been reworked for a new season in Auckland.Joining Andrew Whiteside to discuss the play is Elizabeth and two cast members - Carmen Adams, and Mark Scott.
Shadon Meredith is an actor and poet in New Zealand of Samoan heritage. He has worked acted in many theatre, film and television roles including the kiwi soap Shortland Street. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside he talks about a very personal theatrical production called ‘Waiting’ which opens in Auckland on the 26th September 2023.
Bernadette Robinson is a classically trained Australian singer who brings her show DIVAS to Auckland for a season beginning the 11th October 2023. In the show, Robinson performs music from 10 beloved Divas - and that includes Shirley Bassey, Dolly Parton, Barbara Streisand, Miley Cyrus among others. Andrew Whiteside spoke to Bernadette via phone about the show.
Switzerland is a play written by Joanna Murray-Smith which fictionalises a part of real life author Patricia Highsmith. It is Auckland Theatre Company’s final theatrical piece for 2023. To talk about the play is the wonderful actor Sarah Peirse who plays Highsmith in this tight thriller.
I Want to Be Happy is a new play by actor and writer Carl Bland about a lab assistant and a guinea pig, both of whom just want to be happy. It stars kiwi actors Jennifer Ludlam and Joel Tobeck and opens in Auckland on the 18th August and Wellington on the 6th September 2023.
Joel talks to Andrew Whiteside about the play.
Mike and Virginia is a play by kiwi playwrights Kathryn Burnett and Nick Ward that opens at the Pumphouse Theatre in Auckland on the 31st August 2023. It’s billed as a romantic comedy about romantic comedies and stars Andy Grainger and Laura Hill in the eponymous roles.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside Laura Hill talks to be about the play and her role.
Mysterious Ways is a new film that tells the story of a gay priest in New Zealand and his battle with church authorities over his right to get married his own church. One of the starts of the film is actor and singer Nick Afoa.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, he discusses the film and his role.
Mysterious Ways is a new film that tells the story of a gay priest in New Zealand and his battle with church authorities over his right to get married his own church. It starts British actor Richard Short and star of the musical The Lion King Nick Afoa.
Talking with Andrew Whiteside about the film and what inspired it is director Paul Oremland.
Mysterious Ways is a new film that tells the story of a gay priest in New Zealand and his battle with church authorities over his right to get married his own church. The priest is played by British actor Richard Short and in this interview with Andrew Whiteside, he talks about the film and his role.
The world famous musical Kinky Boots is part way through it’s 2023 New Zealand Season, and its been a smash hit. Today Andrew Whiteside talks with Stewart McKensy who plays the part of Lola in the show.
Black Grace is one of New Zealand’s premier dance company and on the 7th June 2023 they present their newest work 'Paradise Rumour' in Auckland. to Talk about the show is one of the performers Rodney Tyrell.
James Hilary Penwarden is a non binary comedian who has a show called 'Them Fatale' in the 2023 New Zealand International Comedy Festival. This week, Andrew Whiteside had a chat with James about the show and their journey coming out as non binary.
Anita Wigl’it is a drag performer in New Zealand who came in 8th place in the inaugural in Ru Paul’s Drag Race DownunderThis year, Anita has her first appearance in the New Zealand International Comedy Festival.She sat down with Andrew Whiteside to discuss the show and how her life has changed…
For the first time in over three years the New Zealand International Comedy Festival is underway. It brings together the best of kiwi and overseas comedic talent.One of those kiwis participating this year is Brendon Green who has a show called I’m Happy You’re Here. He talks to Andrew Whiteside about the show.
Brenda is a leadership and career development specialist and the founder of Leadership Reboot. She coaches clients to reach three key outcomes, increased leadership confidence, more cohesive teams and higher workplace wellbeing. But her philosophies can be used by anyone in their life. In this interview I talk to Brenda about her work, and her how her own journey through life. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside she discusses the book and her own life.
The film North by Northwest was a spy thriller that was directed by legendary filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock in 1959. It is seen as one of the greatest films of all time. Now a theatrical version of the story is coming to Auckland from the 25th October 2022. It’s the last major production of this year by Auckland Theatre Company. Directed by Simon Phillips, the shows stars are Ryan O’Kane and Antonia Prebble.It’s a very innovative production, and this week, I sat down with two members of the cast - actors Michèle Hine, and Jono Martin to talk about the show.
In 1993 a gay man called Peter Ellis was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in jail on charges he had sexually abused seven children at a child care centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. Despite concerns about how the investigation was handled, unreliable testimony and a retraction from one of the key witnesses, several appeals against his conviction were unsuccessful. In October 2022 however, the New Zealand Supreme Court found that evidence against him, and misleading expert testimony in the original trial had resulted in a miscarriage of justice and therefore quashed all of the convictions. Peter Ellis himself was unable to savour that decision as he had died of bladder cancer in 2019.Joining me now to discuss the case and appeal process is Peter Ellis’s long term lawyer and supporter Rob Harrison.
Fiona Sussman is a South African born author who now resides in New Zealand. Her latest novel is called The Doctor’s Wife. Set in Auckland New Zealand, it is a psychological thriller with plenty of fascinating twists and turns. I absolutely loved it, and Fiona joins me today to talk about the book.
Po Boys and Oysters is a new play opening in Auckland 27th September 2022 that tells the story of two black women trying to adopt a child in New Zealand. Written by Estelle Chout, it takes a deep dive into what it means to be black, lesbian, and living in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland in the 21st Century. Estelle stars in the play and she, with fellow actor Layla Pitt sit down to talk to Andrew Whiteside about the production.
French singer Edith Piaf became an international star for her remarkable voice and songs about love and heartache. This year Russian born singer and now New Zealand resident Yulia brings the iconic singer to life in the live show Edith Piaf Au Club des Cinq at the 2022 Auckland Cabaret Season. This week, Andrew Whiteside managed to have a quick chat to Yulia about the show.
The Wasp is a play written by British playwright Morgan Lloyd Malcolm that has it’s New Zealand premiere this week at Auckland’s Q Theatre. It’s described as a psychological thriller and even has a trigger warning about its themes. Critics in the UK have also described it as sharply comic. Interesting huh.
The play stars Miriama McDowell, and Bree Peters, and is directed by Sam Snedden. Bree and Sam join Andrew Whiteside to talk about the play.
The Made, is a new play by kiwi playwright Emily Perkins that Auckland Theatre Company brings to the stage mid September 2022. It’s about a scientist played by veteran actor Alison Bruce who creates synthetic human beings with artificial intelligence. The play explores many questions, in particular can a robot with AI develop real emotions.
Alison Bruce took time out of rehearsal to discuss this interesting new play with Andrew Whiteside.
Swallow the Fly is a comedic drama about a mother and son who are at odds over the the mother’s hoarding of stuff in the family home. It’s described as a passionate, lively and deeply emotional piece of work, and opens in Auckland in early September 2022. Talking to Andrew Whiteside about the production and the issues inside it is writer Rory Janssen.
Skin Hunger is a theatrical production coming to Auckland in September 2022 that is part of the Fringe Festival. It is a grief-stricken woman coming to terms with the death of her husband and her sexuality. It promises to be a drama with a lot of comedy in it. To talk about the production is director Romy Hooper and the writer and one of the stars of the production Tatiana Hotere who hails originally from Brazil. Towards the end of the interview, we also touch on one of Romy’s side gigs as an intimacy coordinator in film and theatre.
Punch is the debut feature film by director Welby Ings. It tells the story of two young men living in a small New Zealand town and exploring their sexuality. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Welby discusses the film and its themes.
The Writer is a play by English playwright Ella Hickson that debuted in London in 2018. It’s about a young writer who wants to create a career and life free from the power dynamics and patriarchy of the theatrical world. It’s a controversial work, and this month, Silo Theatre presents the play to a New Zealand audience.
Talking about the production with Andrew Whiteside is actor Matt Whelan who you might know from the kiwi TV show Go Girls, and from the Amazon original series American Playboy: The Hugh Hefner Story.
One of the shows on offer at this years Auckland Fringe Festival is called Grief Sex Race. It stars Jess Karmajeet and Sophie Gibson and is a comedy show about tragedy, sexism, and racism. They both sat down with Andrew Whiteside to discuss how it all came together.
Peter Wells was a well-known author and filmmaker in Aotearoa New Zealand. He was a gay man who made a huge impact in both the screen industry and the literary world in this country. He died at the age of 69 in 2019 after a battle with cancer. While undergoing treatment and facing his mortality, Peter published a series of posts about his experience with illness on Facebook. These were subsequently published as a book called 'Hello Darkness' shortly after his death.
This week, a theatrical adaptation of the book will be staged during the Auckland Writers Festival. The show is written by Victor Rodger, directed by Shane Bosher, and stars Roy Ward. In this interview, Shane and Roy discuss this important work with Andrew Whiteside.
Cameron Jones is a kiwi actor who has starred in the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street, The Hobbit movies and joined Dolly Parton on set for a movie called Dolly Parton’s biography movie Christmas of Many Colors.
On the 1st of September 2022, he brings his one-man show High Rise to Auckland for a three night gig - It promises to be a night of laughs and thought provoking satire, and I sat down with him to talk about that, some of his career, and exactly what he thinks of Dolly Parton.
Gina Cole is a New Zealand author who has just published a science fiction novel called Na Viro. The story is essentially about a woman terrified of space who must venture into our galaxy to save her sister. It’s a great book, full of twists and revelations. Now, Gina Cole has Scottish, Welsh and Fijian ancestry, and weaves a lot of Pacific culture into the story in a wonderful way. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, she discusses the novel.
The Auckland Writers Festival kicks off this year on the 23rd August 2022 and runs for six days. It is a remarkable event that showcases and celebrates all things literary. To give us a hint of what to expect this year, Festival Director Anne O’Brien talks with Andrew Whiteside about what is on offer.
Seven years ago, a unique and possibly subversive series of drag events took place in Auckland New Zealand - called Disco Bloodbath, they were an attempt to shake up the world of drag in the city. Filming the events was a documentary filmmaker called Marcus Palmer. This month, as part of the Documentary Edge Festival, Marcus releases his documentary about the events and the community they evolved in - and its called Disco Bloodbath.
https://www.discobloodbath.org https://docedge.nz/festival22/film/disco-bloodbath/
It’s winter in New Zealand which means it is time for the annual Documentary Edge Festival. This year, it spans over 40 days both online and in cinemas in our three biggest cities. The online portion is already in progress, but the entire festival runs to the 10th of July 2022. To talk about the highlights with Andrew Whiteside is Alex Lee the festival director of Doc Edge.
Auckland Theatre Company has a new production opening this month called Scenes from a Yellow Peril: Scenarios for the Assimilated Asian. It was written by Nathan Joe, a Chinese kiwi playwright and is described as a political stream of consciousness. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Nathan explains why he wrote the play.
Keagan Carr Fransch is a Zimbabwean/New Zealand theatre director. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, she talks about the exiting and somewhat full on play 'seven ways to kill kylie jenner' that opens this week in Auckland. The play was written by British playwright Jasmine Lee-Jones and debuted in London in 2019 and has subsequently been in seen many cities overseas, and has received some rave reviews.
2022 marks the 50th anniversary of the beginnings of the gay liberation movement in New Zealand. It was back in 1972 that the first groups of gay men and women got together to try and decriminalise gay male sex and discrimination against gay people. To commemorate that anniversary, kiwi author and historian Brent Coutts teamed up with artist George Hajian to create a very novel new book called 1972 - A Year in Focus. In this interview Andrew Whiteside talks to them both about the project and the stories behind it.
This month sees the launch of the Ukraine Film Festival in Auckland New Zealand. It is happening at The Vic theatre in the suburb of Devonport from the 29 May 2022.
It is being organised by Elena Stejko and Dasha Volga. Elena is an actress and acting coach who you may have seen in the kiwi vampire film What We Do in the Shadows. And Dasha is a filmmaker and actress.
I sat down with them to talk about the festival, and also, inevitably the invasion of Ukraine by Russia.
Tickets thevic.co.nz
This week sees the launch of a research study aimed at gathering robust and diverse data about safe sex practices and HIV transmission rates in Aotearoa/New Zealand. The reason for the study is because men who have sex with men are unable to donate blood unless they have abstained from sexual activity for three months.
To talk about this research with Andrew Whiteside is Dr Peter Saxton, Associate Professor of Public Health at Auckland University’s School of Population Health, Auckland University.
Now, just a quick a warning, there will be sexual references in this interview, so I am assuming if you are going to continue to listen that you are an adult, and that you are grown up enough not to be offended.
spots.org.nz
Ageing is something that all of us face in life, and as a species, we are living far longer than previous generations. But how do we deal with the challenges and changes that ageing brings. That is the central question posed by author Juliet Batten in her new book The Pomegranate Journal in which she shares snippets from her life over a period time. She shares the joy, but also the difficulties in getting older and offers a unique perspective on how to adjust to it. In this interview with me, Juliet shares her wisdom on ageing.
Here in New Zealand, a charity called InsideOUT Kōaro has officially released a series of guidelines and resources for schools aimed at helping them create policies and procedures that are inclusive of LGBTQI students.
To talk about the resources, the need for them, and the reactions to them, is Tabby Besley, managing director of InsideOUT Kōaro.
https://www.insideout.org.nz/resources/
Auckland Theatre Company has just announced they are beginning a Youth Programme. The initiative is free, and will be a year long training and performance programme for aspiring actors, directors, designers and writers aged 16-25 who are looking to develop their craft.
Talking about the venture with Andrew Whiteside are Sam Phillips - Participation Coordinator for Auckland Theatre Company, and Gabby Solomona - who along with Sam is one of four leaders of the programme.
www.atc.co.nz/participation/youth-company
In this interview with New Zealand Labour Member of Parliament Shanan Halbert, Andrew Whiteside talks with him about his perspective on the recent ban on conversion therapy in New Zealand, the future of LGBTQI rights in this country, and what his 14 months in parliament have been like so far.
Douglas Lloyd Jenkins is a well known writer, columnist - and recipient of a New Zealand Order of Merit for his contribution to New Zealand Architecture and design.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, he discusses his wonderful debut novel Shelter. It’s the story of twenty years in the life of a gay man navigating his way through love and relationships.
New Zealand Green MP Elizabeth Kerekere and Andrew Whiteside talk about the Conversion Practices Prohibition Legislation Bill which was passed by parliament this week. Elizabeth was one of the members of parliament involved in the select committee process.
New Zealand Labour MP Louisa Wall talks to Andrew Whiteside about the passage of a piece of legislation banning conversion therapy. The day we recorded this interview, it was Louisa’s birthday.
Gina Cole lives in New Zealand, is an honorary Fellow in Writing at the University of Iowa, and holds a Ph.D. in creative writing from Massey University. In a few months she will be publishing a science fiction fantasy novel called Na Viro, and this week, she will be giving the annual Peter Wells Lecture as part of the samesame but different literary festival in New Zealand.
Ruby Solly is a kiwi writer, poet, and musician who has both Pakeha and Māori ancestry. In this interview talks about how that has influenced her work. She also explains her coming out process as takatāpui or queer, and she shares memories of her late Uncle Matt Wildbore, a well-known and loved doctor in Auckland, who died in 2008.
Actor and singer Hayden Tee is a kiwi who has performed in many of the great musicals in Australia, New York and London. Back home in New Zealand, he’s about to launch a theatre show called Bad Guy.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Hayden talks about the show, his journey to discover his Maori heritage, and how he built his own tiny house.
Kia ora, I’m Andrew Whiteside, and today, I’m talking with kiwi actress Catherine Waller. Catherine is queer, and in this interview I talk with her about what Pride means to her, and how playing a role on the New Zealand soap opera Shortland Street helped her come out.
Note - the original version of this interview included references to a play that Catherine was due to open on February 2nd 2022. That show has been cancelled due to covid and therefore the content has been removed from the interview.
The Intoxicating Mr Lavelle is a novel by Neil Blackmore that tells the story of a well to do Englishman called Benjamin Bowen who undertakes a grand tour of Europe in the 1760s with his brother Edgar. While there, he meets an exotic foreigner called Horace Lavelle. They engage in a torrid love affair, which has some very intense and unintended consequences.
In this review, Andrew Whiteside talks with Chelsea Adams from The Alphabet Book Club. They share their thoughts on this wonderful novel.
You can buy other LGBTQ books at alphabetbookclub.nz and visit andrewwhiteside.com for plenty of great content.
Munashe Tapfuya is the Outreach Activator at Mixit - a theatre trust in New Zealand that specialises in giving creative opportunities to migrants and refugees. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, she talks about Mixit's latest production called Voices, and about her own experience with Mixit.
Karlyn Sullivan-Jones is a former member of the New Zealand Air Force, and a trained counsellor who has just published a great new wellness book. It’s called Be Inspired! Create balance and wellbeing for your mind, body and soul. I spoke with Karlyn about what inspired her to write it.
The book will be available for purchase from some NZ bookstores from February and also from this website: www.balanceandwellbeingcounselling.com
A summer tradition in New Zealand is sitting in a park and watching a play by Shakespeare. This year, 2022 in Auckland, Shoreside theatre is putting on a programme of plays titled, as you may expect - Shakespeare in the Park.
To talk about the season, is theatre director and former school teacher Trevor Sharp - who is producing The Merchant of Venice for this years run.
'Out Here' is a new anthology of LGBTQ+ authors from Aotearoa New Zealand. Edited by writers Emma Barnes and Chris Tse, the book showcases famous queer kiwi writers and some up an coming talent. In this interview, Emma Barnes explains the ethos behind the book, and her curious connection with actor Sigourney Weaver.
A new online LGBTQ bookshop and bookclub for queer New Zealanders has opened. It's called Alphabet Book Club. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, one of the store's owners (Chelsea Adams), talks about the very personal reason they started the venture.
alphabetbookclub.nz
Auckland Theatre Company has announced its 2022 programme and it is full of delightful, quirky and thought provoking shows. In this Interview with Andrew Whiteside, the company’s CEO and artistic director Jonathan Bielski talks through each of the plays.
This month, November 2021, a unique event is happening online in New Zealand called Music Therapy Week. Starting on the 15th of November, it is designed to raise awareness about the practice of music therapy in this country. To talk about what music therapy is and its benefits Andrew Whiteside talks to Rachel Foxell, a registered music therapist In New Zealand.
https://www.musictherapy.org.nz/whats-happening/music-therapy-week/
Spies and Lies - the Mysterious Dr. Dannevill is a new biographical book about Hjilmar Dannevill, a woman who moved to New Zealand in the early 20th Century. She worked as a medical professional in Wellington. But suspicions about her background and her relationships with women mean that in 1917 she was imprisoned as a German Spy on Matiu/Somes Island. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, author Julie Glamuzina discusses the book.
Purchase the book here: https://bit.ly/3mkZpcz
Winter Pride is an annual event in Queenstown New Zealand for the LGBT community. This year it was cancelled a few days before it started because of a covid outbreak in New Zealand. The cancellation has generated a number of complaints from people who claim the event booking system is unfair and does not allow many customers to receive refunds. To talk about this Andrew Whiteside interviews Martin King, the organiser of the event.
On the 31 July 2021, Auckland Pride Festival Incorporated - the organisation that runs the Auckland Pride Festival its Annual General Meeting and published its annual accounts which showed a deficit of $79,000. Part of that was due to an increase in expenses of $110,000. The statement of financial position for the society as at the 31st July 2021 indicates that it is in debt and liabilities are outweigh assets.
To talk about this Andrew Whiteside interviewed the society’s co-chairs Kaan Hiini and Robyn Vella.
Addiction is something that many of us have experienced - either our own, or that of a loved one. It can be soul destroying, but for those who confront their addiction and inner demons, the road to recovery can be one of personal growth and enlightenment.
In the following audio interview with Andrew Whiteside, one woman, Elizabeth Cracroft shares her journey to wellness. It was a journey that inspired her to write a play called REHAB which opens in Auckland on 2nd July 2021.
Nikita 雅涵 Tu-Bryant fronts the New Zealand indie synth-pop trio KITA. The group’s other members are synth-master Ed Zuccollo and percussionist Rick Cranson. KITA release their self-titled debut album KITA in July 2021. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Nikita talks about their music, her heritage, and figuring out how to live in two distinct cultures.
Lolsy Byrne is an Irish comedian who’s been stuck in New Zealand thanks to Covid. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, she talks about what she’s been doing while she’s been here, how supportive comedians are, and how she was once stalked by a very odd man.
Laura Daniel and Joseph Moore make up the kiwi comedy singing duo Two Hearts. Their music is exceptional, bitingly witty and lot’s of fun. In this delightful interview with Andrew Whiteside they talk about what makes them tick, and getting engaged.
Jadwiga Green is a kiwi comedian who describes herself as a scruffy vagabond Queer lady and someone who is attracted to weirdness. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Jadwiga talks about how time in a psychiatric hospital lead her into comedy.
Comedian and teacher Neil Thornton is a transplanted American who lives in Wellington New Zealand. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, he talks about how personal demons and shame form the basis of his comedy act, and how audiences react to his frankness about sexuality.
Rhys Mathewson is comedian and a regular contributor to various TV shows in New Zealand such as 7 Days, and The Project. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, he talks about his new show Heartless Joke Machine, but also about dealing with anxiety and trying to be genuine on social media.
Sameena Zehra is an Indian-born comedian and social commentator who has a show called Arsebuiscuits at this year's New Zealand International Comedy Festival. Sameena is an award-winning comedian, she has also toured with the Royal Shakespeare Company. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, she talks about her show, her upbringing, humanism, and how to be less of an arse in life, and more of a sweet biscuit.
Rebecca Stubbing who is a practicioner and teacher of improvisation comedy and theatre. Together with a troupe known as Improverished, she is starring in a show during this years New Zealand International Comedy Festival and another in the annual Auckland Fringe Festival. In this interview we talk about the show, but also how a text from her to me lead to a very interesting discussion about violence against women.
More information one Rebecca's shows:
Can I get an Underground Location and a Mythical Creature? (Comedy Festival)
Dates: Wed 5 – Sat 8 May 2021, 10 pm
Venue: CovertTheatre
Random Fairytale Generator (Auckland Fringe Festival)
Thurs 20 May & Fri 21 May 2021, 8 pm, The PumpHouse Theatre
Sun 23 May, 3.30 pm, Nathan Homestead
Adam Hattaway is the lead singer and songwriter of the kiwi indie rock group Adam Hattaway and the Haunters. On the 27th February 2021, Adam will appear in the one-night-only show The Soul Tribute to Van Morrison in Auckland.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Hattaway discusses his love of Van Morrison and also the rock group that bears his name. His group has a new album which will be released on the 26th March 2021 and a small tour of some cities in New Zealand the following month.
This week it became known that the New Zealand AIDS Foundation would not be participating in the Rainbow Parade in Auckland on the 20th February 2021. That news has been greeted with shock and annoyance by some in the Auckland queer communities. The parade itself has now been postponed and we are waiting on a new date to be announced.
Today, to talk about this issue I’nm speaking with Michael Stevens who was a board member of the NZAF from 1998 to 2004 and chair of the board from 2000 - 2004. He has been a life member of the foundation since 2010.
This week it emerged that the New Zealand AIDS Foundation would not be participating in the Rainbow Parade in Auckland on the 20th February 2021. But they would be attending Auckland Pride’s alternative event called Our March. Here to discuss this with Andrew Whiteside is the CEO of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation, Jason Myers.
Ngaio Marsh was a kiwi crime novelist who became one of the famous four 'Queens of Crime' in the mid 20th Century. Always a bit of an outsider, Marsh's sexuality has often been the subject of conjecture. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, author Joanne Drayton discusses the life of the crime novelist.
After a disastrous 2020 Shoreside Theatre brings back Shakespeare in the Park for its 25th year. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, directors James Bell (Hamlet), and Jason Moffatt (Much Ado About Nothing) share their love of theatre and how their community helped resurrect the theatre company.
In this audio interview, Andrew Whiteside and talks with author Fiona Sussman about her latest novel Addressed to Greta.
The book is a beautifully crafted tale about a socially and somewhat physically awkward woman living a very controlled buttoned-up life in suburban Auckland. When a gay friend called Walter dies, he bequeaths her a trip around the world - the catch, she will only find out where she is going the day before each flight via letters penned by Walter. Over time, those letters slowly give out more details about his life and the reasons why he has sent Greta on this trip.
Crossing the Lines is a new book by Brent Coutts, a researcher, historian, writer, and teacher.
It chronicles the lives of three homosexual men Harold Robinson, Ralph Dyer and Douglas Morison, who during the Second World War entertained the allied troops as female impersonators in the Kiwi and Tui Concert Parties. This was at a time when homosexual sex was illegal, and could lead to court martial and imprisonment.
Today I am talking with Jason Myers who is the chief executive officer of the New Zealand AIDS Foundation and we will be discussing CoVid 19 and HIV, what Foundation services you can access during the lockdown in New Zealand and how you can help the foundation continue its vital work.
For more information visit nzaf.org.nz
In the last few days, The Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said his government was delaying new religious discrimination laws saying the legislation has over reached its initial intention.
There have been fears in Australia that the proposed legislation could have seriously negative consequences for many Australians in particular for LGBTQi, women and disabled people.
A few days before Morrison’s announcement Andrew Whiteside spoke with Tasmanian based human rights advocate Rodney Croome about the legislation.
In this episode of An Eclectic Life Andrew Whiteside delves into an interesting story about the world’s first Sperm Bank for HIV positive people has been launched in New Zealand.
It’s a partnership between Body Positive, New Zealand AIDS Foundation and Positive Women.
What is it, and who would use it, are perhaps the first questions that come to mind, and in this story I hope to answer them by talking to a number of people involved in the project.
Hayden Tee is an incredible performer with a powerful voice who hails from north of New Zealand. This talented man is currently in Auckland playing the role of Javert in Les Miserables. This week, Hayden sat down with Andrew Whiteside to talk about that role and his new album.
Hayden Tee is an incredible performer with a powerful voice who hails from north of New Zealand. This talented man is currently in Auckland playing the role of Javert in Les Miserables. This week, Hayden sat down with Andrew Whiteside to talk about that role and his new album.
Hayden’s new album Face to Face is available right now on many online music stores including itunes.
Joanna Pearce is a transgender author actor and playwright. Joanna is about to unveil two pieces of theatre in Auckland shortly covering same sex and transgender topics. I sat down with her to talk about the works but also some of her own transgender journey. For more information on her shows visit https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2019/sep/testostrogen
Stuart Edser is an Australian theologian and therapist. He is also a good friend of mine. Seven years ago, I interviewed him about a book he had written called Being Gay Being Christian.
This is the audio version of that interview, and while it is several years old, I still think it has relevance for our current moment in time.
What you need to know prior to the interview is that Stuart used to be a bible thumping evangelical and his whole world revolved around preaching the gospels and the power of Jesus - what no one knew though was he was hiding the fact he was gay and that secret was tearing him apart.
Annie Crummer who is a well loved singer and performer in New Zealand and is about to star in the musical We Will Rock You.
In this episode of the podcast An Eclectic Life with Andrew Whiteside, Annie discusses how she got the part of the Killer Queen, reminisces about her days with When the Cat’s Away, and shares a long kept secret about her life.
For ticketing information about We Will Rock You use the link below: www.aucklandlive.co.nz/show/we-will-rock-you
Helen Kelly Together is a documentary by Tony Sutorius. The film explores the last year of New Zealand trade unionist Helen Kelly as she continued to advocate for workers rights while undergoing treatment for cancer. The film looks into some of the core issues Kelly was fighting, including the Pike River mine disaster.
Those were topics that the director and I spoke about in this interview.
Jawline is a documentary about a young handsome teenager in Tennessee seeking fame as a social media star. The film explores his journey as well as glimpses into the lives of other young men doing the same - the teenage girls obsessed with the boys, and the equally youthful and savvy business men behind the scenes.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, the director of Jawline, Liza Mandelup discusses the issues behind the film.
In this interview, Andrew Whiteside speaks with Australian filmmaker Maya Newell about her documentary called In My blood It Runs.
It tells the story of a young aborigine boy called Dujuan who lives in the Northern Territories of Australia. He’s a child healer, a hunter and speaks three languages - yet, he is failing in school and is under scrutiny from welfare agencies and the police.
Come to Daddy is a comedy thriller starring Elijah Wood that has its New Zealand opening on July 26th 2019 at the New Zealand International Film Festival.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, the film's director Ant Timpson talks about how the death of his father led to the film.
This week, a quite remarkable exhibition of photographic art opened in Auckland - titled Inferno, the images present an interpretation of Dante's famous work.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, artist Gui Taccetti discusses the very personal anguish behind his vision of the Inferno.
In this interview with Andrew WhitesideNew Zealand filmmaker Justin Pemberton about his new documentary Capital in the 21st Century.
The film is an adaptation of the best selling book of the same name by Thomas Piketty, and is an exploration of how capitalism impacts our world and is creating inequality that ultimately affects all of us.
mental health issues affect a great deal of us at some point in our lives and to varying degrees, its something that young people in our communities can experience as they learn about life, but adults of all ages can be impacted too.
On July 6th an event called The Next Step is taking place in the small town of Warkworth north of Auckland in New Zealand. It has been written by well love actor Lisa Chappell, and its aim is to raise awareness and money for at youth risk and is presented by the Healing through arts trust
This week, I had a chat with Lisa Chappell about the project, but also about her own experience with the ups and downs of life.
you can find out more about the event here www.eventfinda.co.nz/2019/the-next-step/auckland/warkworth
In 1825 Rossini wrote his opera The Barber of Seville, in just 13 days! For two hundred years, this opera has been incredibly popular, and it's no surprise as the music and the comedy are fantastic.
On June 6th 2019 New Zealand Opera debuts its production of The Barber of Seville in Auckland - it will then move to Wellington and conclude in Christchurch.
A few days ago, I had the good fortune of meeting the stars of the show - Tenor John Tessier who plays Count Almaviva and Sandra Piques Eddy who plays his love interest Countess Rosina.
Don't forget to check out my website andrewwhiteside.com for more interviews and news.
The Children of Harvey Milk tells the epic stories of courageous men and women around the world who came forward to make their voices heard during the struggle for equal rights.
Featuring LGBTQ icons from America to Ireland, Britain to New Zealand; Reynolds documents their successes and failures, heartwarming stories of acceptance and heartbreaking stories of ostracism, demonstrating the ways in which an individual can change the views and voting behaviors of those around them. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, author Andrew Reynolds discusses why he wrote the book and the emotion of writing it.
New Zealand actor Theresa Healey is currently starring as Queen Elizabeth II in The Audience. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside she explores her love of the role and her terror at taking it on.
You can get more information and interviews at andrew whiteside.com
Richard Clowes has a passion for travel that sees him globetrotting for much of the year. A few years ago he realised there was a gap in the gay travel market and decided to combine his knowledge of the travel industry and his love of travelling to launch Outside the Square Adventures. He now takes queer people and their friends on specially designed itineraries to some of the most beautiful and fascinating places on earth.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Richard talks about the experience of making vacations dreams come true.
You can find more about Richard’s company here: www.ots-adventures.com
And don’t forget you can visit my website at andrewwhiteside.com
I am a huge Agatha Christie fan so I was delighted when I got the chance to see her famous play The Mousetrap in Auckland this month.
The show has been running for 67 years in London and is currently touring New Zealand showing in Auckland Wellington and Christchurch.
I was fortunate enough to talk to one of the veterans of the cast, Malcolm Terry - he plays Major Metcalfe in the play.
Most of us I think would prefer to buy products that we know come from ethical sources - that the things we consume are not made with slave labour or by people who are not paid a fair wage for their work.
This week, in Auckland the FairField conference brings together people who are trying to ensure that social justice and ethical trade be at the heart of modern commerce and consumption.
Here to talk with me about the issue is conference organiser Susan Maiava.
www.fairfieldconference.org.nz
Problems with police participation in Queer pride parades are happening in many cities around the world. One of those cities is Toronto. in 2016 Pride Toronto banned police marching in the parades that were held in 2017 and 2018. Next year, Police will be welcomed back for the 2019 parade.
To discuss how this all happened Andrew Whiteside interviews Olivia Nuamah who is the current Executive Director of Pride Toronto.
UPDATE 24 January 2019. The membership of Pride Toronto has voted by a very narrow majority to ban the police from future parades. Details on this can be read here:
https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/toronto/article-toronto-pride-votes-by-tiny-margin-against-allowing-police-to/?fbclid=IwAR0rihlGkY-ZJx87NMwef9RQEWLipLnEK2SpXWg5Lf9gkchNBlDGZnrMCew
Michael Hurst is a well known actor and director. In this interview with Andrew Whiteside he discusses the Jacobean play The Changeling and why Shakespeare is ideally suited to intimate theatres.
New Zealand author Brendan Were has just published his debut novel Tane's War. Set in both World War One and 1950s New Zealand it tells the story of two men of different backgrounds coming to terms with their sexual identity.
In this interview with Andrew Whiteside, Brendan Were talks about why the story haunted him for so many years.