Foibles and Frailties Exposed at Herald Theatre

Larger than life characters take centre stage in Tim Bray’s new solo show, Foibles, at the Aotea Centre THE EDGE® in September.

In Foibles Tim turns the focus on himself and others as he presents an entertaining dig at our own foibles, frailties and bents in this quirky and energetic show.

Tim performs Foibles at the Herald Theatre, Aotea Centre, THE EDGE® from 1-11 September as part of the STAMP programme.

It heralds his return to the stage as a solo performer, following critically and audience acclaimed seasons of Me and My Vice (1998) and The Last Laugh (2001).

In writing Foibles, Tim says he draws on years of observations of the quirks and peculiarities "which make each of us unique - a lot of the show is about my own foibles, but I've also included quirks I see in others."

Tim (40) is an Auckland actor/playwright who has been creating his own style of theatre productions for more than 13 years. As founder of The Central Theatre (originating where The Silo now stands) he produced such classic and diverse shows as The Nice Show, a lovely and very nice cabaret starring Lisa Chappell and the late Kevin Smith, a musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s The Twits at the Herald Theatre, and the funny and very gay, Ponsonby Road.

His solo show, Me and My Vice, toured to the Gilded Balloon at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 1998.

As well as his adult shows, Tim has a passion for creating theatre for children and has written seven plays for children (three original and four adaptations) and co-written four children’s plays.

This year Tim is also presenting three professional children's productions at The PumpHouse in Takapuna. The Owl and the Pussy-Cat had a successful season in July and is being followed by Mahy Magic in September and The Santa Claus Show in December.

Tim’s screen and TV credits include Lofty in Chunuk Bair, and speaking roles in Her Majesty, Gloss, Shortland Street, Cleopatra 2525, Mother Tongue and Marlin Bay.

previous reviews …

Me and My Vice

“Many hit the mark dead centre, managing not only to lampoon types as various as a boozy hoon, a yuppie poseur and a desperate house husband with merciless accuracy, but also to peel away the corners of their veneers, allowing us to glimpse their simple and frightened humanity.” NZ Herald

“…his material is modern and contemporary. His programme is cleverly arranged: it features a score of sketches projecting a flock of widely contrasting characters.

“Bray manages to convulse the audience for two hours, some achievement and well worth seeing.” Waikato Times

“A liberal dash of poetic licence adds to the relish. Altogether a rewarding 90 minutes with a performer who knows how to put an audience at ease and so allow them to laugh at his, and their own, secret vices.” Sunday Star-Times

“He produces a series of nicely turned situations in which he lampoons vanity, pretentiousness, one-upmanship or any kind of social phoneyness practised by the male of the species.” The Scotsman

The Last Laugh

“But there’s a foreboding behind the celebration of Matthew’s life and The Last Laugh takes you into the dark heart of hatred against gays and lesbians. Tim Bray draws laughter and tears and presents a powerful reflection on mortality, vulnerability and love…The Last Laugh is an intense, funny play, glowing with love, and bristling with anger.” express

“An engaging work sitting well with other recent one person shows.” Theatre News

“A play with a message, a plea for tolerance… a really well-written piece. Really neat dialogue, and I admired how economically he created those characters with this really crisp writing.” Radio bFM

“A lot of really good portraits…very funny, very poignant” National Radio

Ponsonby Road

“A gay play in both the old and new senses of the word, Ponsonby Road, is a light-hearted farce in which 30-somethings find love and a new home…The play is at its best in its gentle satire of Ponsonby people and its comedy of contemporary sexual mores, as the progress of each courtship moves in counterpoint.” NZ Herald

“Very Auckland, very Ponsonby, very funny.” Theatre News

“Imagine if ‘Shortland Street’ was all gay and lesbian, or if ‘Gloss’ was set on Ponsonby Road…to see all the characters as gay and lesbian was really interesting.” Radio bFM

© Scoop Media