Why not pop into Chinwag Eathai and take advantage of their birthday celebration Eat a Deal? The Cuisine New Zealand Restaurant of the Year 2009 Finalist has awesome offers: go for a three-course set menu for only $20 from 5pm till 6pm or a kids’ three-course dinner for $5 from 5pm till 6pm (at Victoria Street only). After-work drinks at Victoria Street are buy-one-get-one-free from 4pm till 7pm, takeouts are 20 % off at both branches, and you can bring your own wine on Sunday, Monday and Tuesday nights.

But you have to be quick! These awesome deals only last till the end of July. For more info visit Chinwag Eathai.

Cheers!

If you would like to be part of the glitzy fashionista party, the resort has a special deal for you: if you book a Cleopatra Indulgence Package, which includes free entry to the show, you’ll get a luxurious arrival platter, and after the big fashion night you can unwind in a milk bath followed by a hot breakfast for two. The package starts from $195 per night. Make a booking on +64 3 360 1006 or visit http://www.peppers.co.nz/clearwater/packages/.

Ashley Fogel Fashion Show at Peppers Clearwater Resort: 24 July 2010.

Well, actually, no. No, as in, no, I’ve never coloured my hair. I guess the girls from Sutherland Todd were right when they told me Pureology is just as good for natural colour as it is for the artificially enhanced. Renowned for helping to prevent expensive hair colour treatments from going down the drain, the products also brighten the locks of natural blondes like me.

Since first experiencing a professional wash and condition with Pureology at Sutherland Todd in Christchurch, I’ve been devotedly using the products at home. These are truly beautiful products to use. All natural – vegan, in fact – they’ll make you feel good inside and out. The fragrances are divine. The girls have prescribed me the Hydrate shampoo and the smell is lusciously sweet and flowery. I’ve never been one for shampooing twice (usually in too much of a hurry), but the girls recommend giving it a go – the first shampoo removes product build-up and the second works its magic as a treatment for your hair. So (when I’m not running late), I’ve been trying the tactic and it does seem to make a difference with a cleaner feel after rinsing.

But if the shampoo is nice, the Hydrate conditioner is even better. Peppermint fresh, the fragrance fills the shower as soon as you flip the cap. Again, the product demands a slightly different modus operandi; I’ve always applied conditioner just to the ends of the hair, but Hydrate should be massaged into your scalp. Believe me, it feels fantastic – tingly and refreshing – and it smells amazing.

Pureology products aren’t cheap, but they are super-concentrated so you’ll only need a little (even for long hair like mine) – perfect if your hair needs an eco-friendly treat.

You can get hold of your own Pureology hair care products at Sutherland Todd Hairdressing in Christchurch and other good salons around New Zealand.

What a beautiful scene. Layers of cool blonde timber in the furniture, the trees and the backdrop of a manor house where a shutter opens briefly, shedding a square of golden light. It is evening. Crickets chirp and shadows play on the dark indigo of the lake beyond. We are perfectly transported to a summer evening in rural Russia, where the air is close and Konstantin Gavrilovich Treplyov (Owen Black) is about to see his first play come to life on stage. It’s a makeshift outdoor stage and the audience is a small gathering of locals, but to Konstantin, this moment is everything; his mother is watching.

His passport may read ‘shopkeeper class from Kiev’, but his mother is Irina Nikolayevna Arkadina (Rima Te Wiata), a highly successful actress in popular theatre. Konstantin is well aware that his mother is having difficulty with the idea of passing on the mantle of artistic success to a younger generation – “When I’m not there she’s 32. When I’m there, she’s 42.” – but his deep need for her approval keeps him trying to win it, however vulnerable it makes him.

Chekhov is a master of capturing the minutiae of family life, with all its beauty and its drama. Perceived by some as heavy and dark, Chekhov in fact regarded himself as a comic writer even when his stories had tragedy at their core. This Tom Stoppard translation has a lightness and compassionate warmth that lets us laugh tenderly (perhaps recognising something of ourselves in our weaker moments) at the desperate actions humans resort to in the very attempt to preserve their dignity – even to the point of inflicting cruelty on others.

A hugely talented cast breathes real life into this superb story. Visually exquisite, with gorgeous lighting and an evocative soundtrack capturing the landscape that was so integral to Chekhov, this is a highly polished production of one of the great theatrical works. Whether you’ve had the pleasure of encountering Chekhov before or not, The Seagull is a must-see this month at The Court Theatre.

The season runs until 12 June 2010.
For bookings, phone 03 963 0870 or visit www.courttheatre.org.nz.

Come and see why critics have been saying the show is:

“uniformly excellent… the audience roared with laughter” – The Press

“a modern farce and very funny” – Presto

“swinging sophistication is in the air and Ross Gumbley’s comedic instinct is well exercised” – Theatreview

Experience part hostage drama, part satire and part outrageous farce as a deranged fan breaks in to famous author Margot Mason’s house and holds her hostage.

Special Ticket Offer – PARTY OF SIX

Receive a complimentary drink voucher each and free show programmes to share among your group when you book a Party of Six or more, all for the regular adult price of $45 per person.

Find out more and book tickets with the Court Theatre or call the Box Office on 963 0870. Playing at The Court until 8 May.