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: The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show – a winning format with a winning audience
Charlotte Thornton reviews The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 8 March 2026. The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show is the rowdiest entry in the Court Theatre’s 2026 Rainbow Festival calendar. In an interview with Flat City Field Notes back in February, Festival organiser Tim Bain said the 2026…
Review: Hugo’s Rainbow Show – the forecast is magical
Ruth Agnew reviews Hugo’s Rainbow Show, presented as part of the Rainbow Theatre Festival, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 7 March 2026. Hear me out: let’s bring back a dedicated hour of news at 6pm every night, where entire households gather in their lounge rooms to catch up on the day’s events, except there’s no…
Review: The Night Ali Died – a compelling, cinematic crime thriller about a very bad night
Erin Harrington reviews The Night Ali Died, presented by Raising Cain Productions, at Little Andromeda, Friday 6 March 2026. British performer Chris Sainton-Clark’s crime thriller The Night Ali Died is an absorbing piece of solo theatre that combines sharp storytelling and cinematic tropes in a very satisfying way. Ali is just some late-20s guy from…
Review: The Importance of Being Earnest – a sparkling production that’s very serious about being silly
Erin Harrington reviews The Importance of Being Earnest, by Oscar Wilde, directed by Kathleen Burns, at the Stewart Family Theatre at the Court Theatre, Saturday 21 February, 2026. The first mainstage show of the Court Theatre’s 2026 season sets a very high bar for the year. Oscar Wilde’s 1895 play The Importance of Being Earnest,…
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