Observations from the ground.

Flat City Field Notes offers reviews and essays about theatre, arts and culture in and around Ōtautahi Christchurch, Aotearoa New Zealand.

Latest Posts

Review: Kiri and Lou in Concert – It’s cool to be kind

Erin Harrington reviews Kiri and Lou in Concert, presented by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Vincent Hardaker, at the James Hay Theatre at the Christchurch Town Hall, Thursday 9 July, 2026. If you spend time around young children, chances are you already have stopmotion animated children’s show Kiri and Lou in your life. If…

Review: Feminist Clown Posse Annual Gala – changing the world one fail at a time

Erin Harrington reviews the Feminist Clown Posse Annual Gala, at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Tuesday 7 July, 2026. The joyful takeaway message from the third annual Feminist Clown Posse gala is hooray for the idiots, and hooray for idiocy – idiocy for freedom, idiocy sprung of anger, idiocy in…

Review: Shakespeare’s Greatest Comedy – wit, energy, and infectious enthusiasm

Jordon Jones reviews Shakespeare’s Greatest Comedy, by Joe Bennett, presented at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Sunday 5 July 2026. Thanks to the Lyttelton Arts Festival, which kicked off last week, I had the pleasure of going along to see local legend Joe Bennett discuss the Bard in Shakespeare’s Greatest…

Review: Hooves & Chooks – smart comedy by clever people

Karen Healey reviews Hooves & Chooks, a double bill at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, presented as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Friday 3 July 2026. This joyous double-bill night of comedy dance and cabaret, opens the 2026 Lyttelton Arts Festival on a cold Canterbury night. Hooves, from Rebound Dance, led by Fleur de Thier,…

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