"Le Sud" (theatre review)

This is a play by Dave Armstrong, who wrote the satirical and raucously un-p.c. "Seven Periods With Mr Gormsby" for NZ TV.
The scenario is that back in 1839 the French took over the South Island and the Brits got the North Island.
Now the North Island govt travel to the South to do a deal on hydro-electric power supply.
Enough plot outline!
The play begins in French, which is in itself hilarious when one manages to work out the translations.
As the piece continues, we are introduced to the key players of both governments - the situation is ripe for a seemingly endless web of relationships and clashes to be spun.
Nobody and nothing escapes the lethal incisions of Armstrong's satirical pen - race, gender, politics, rugby - all are mercilessly twisted, but you're too busy laughing to notice the casualties.
The play is perhaps slightly on the longish side, for what it is, but I would not want to be the one operating the editorial guillotine...
George Henare was a delight to watch and listen to - a wheeling and dealing contemporary Maori, part Le Tahu and part Tuhoe.
Jennifer Ward-Leland continues her golden run of characterisations in the Ak theatre scene - beautiful and funny to watch!
I don't know how much currency the play has - it's very much a play for these times, and I suggest if it makes its way into the local theatre, take a bunch of friends with you and treat yourself to a hugely entertaining night out!

9/10.