Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Richard O'Brien's The Kingdom of Bling, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 16 October 2024. Richard O’Brien’s new fantasy rock musical The Kingdom of Bling is a little like Badjelly the Witch for grownups: a political, satirical one-act radio play, performed live by an impressive emsemble of theatrical A-listers and a pair… Continue reading Review: The Kingdom of Bling – a rocking satirical parable from a living legend
Erin Harrington talks with the Artistic Director of The Court Theatre, Alison Walls, about the release of the theatre's 2025 programme - the first that will be staged in the organisation’s new home in the Performing Arts Precinct. Kia ora Alison - congratulations on the launch of the 2025 programme. How has it gone? Thank… Continue reading Interview: Alison Walls on programming the Court Theatre’s new season
Erin Harrington reviews A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Melanie Luckman, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 12 October 2024. Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a classic piece of realist theatre, one that’s interested in exploring the nuances of human behaviour in a manner free from… Continue reading Review: A Doll’s House – a realist classic, stunningly designed
Erin Harrington reviews Ngā Rorirori, by Hone Kouka, presented on tour by Tawata Productions, at the Aurora Centre, Friday 4 October. Hone Kouka’s new work Ngā Rorirori (or ‘the fools’) is a truly original piece of performance that combines dance and theatre to offer a comedic account of one family’s clash over whenua. Choregraphed by… Continue reading Review: Ngā Rorirori – a whirlwind mix of farce, dance, music – and ancestral land rights
Erin Harrington reviews Paradise, or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, directed by Lewis, presented by Indian Ink, at the Court Theatre, Thursday 19 September 2024. It says a great deal about beloved theatre company Indian Ink that the packed opening night audience of Paradise, or the Impermanence of… Continue reading Review: Paradise, or the Impermanence of Ice Cream – a remarkable play about ambition, friendship, survival, and vultures
Erin Harrington chats with Lizzie Tollemache through the wonders of the internet about their new performance work, on why sharing (in rehearsals) is caring, and how Creative NZ can learn something from defence lawyers. Lizzie's show The NeuroSpice Girls is particularly interesting for the way that it’s looking to challenge traditional approaches in its creation,… Continue reading Interview: Lizzie Tollemache on making neurospicy theatre
Naomi van den Broek on learning to be a clown under the tutelage of comedian Tessa Waters - including the work, joy and importance of creating feminist communities in comedy and performing arts. Sometime in 2023 I was added to a Facebook group with the name Feminist Clown Posse (FCP) and an amazing profile pic… Continue reading Behind the Curtain at Clown Club (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love to Bomb)
Ruth Agnew reviews The Savage Coloniser Show, written by Tusiata Avia, directed by Anapela Polata’ivao, produced by Victor Rodger, presented as part of WORD Christchurch at the Black Box Theatre at Papa Hou, Wednesday 10 September, 2024. “Hey James,yeah, youin the white wigin that big Endeavoursailing the blue, blue waterlike a big arseholeFUCK YOU, BITCH"… Continue reading Review: The Savage Coloniser Show – raw, fierce, triumphant
Ruth Agnew reviews Space Invaders, written and performed by Nicola Brown, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 7 September, 2024. Nicola Brown is an Ōtepoti comedian who wants to bring pelvic organ prolapse out of the dark and into conversation. Her award winning solo show, Space Invaders, invites audiences to discuss subjects rarely spoken raised in polite… Continue reading Review: Nicola Brown: Space Invaders – an intimate, brilliant, comedy hour that might just save your life
Erin Harrington reviews The Deadbeat Opera, presented by Free Theatre, adapted and directed by Peter Falkenberg, at the Pump House, Friday 6 September 2024. Where Free Theatre’s 2023 adaptation of Woyzeck offered misery on tap, their new companion work, The Deadbeat Opera, is presented to us overtly, in the show's opening preamble, as a low-life,… Continue reading Review: The Deadbeat Opera – a low-life comedy about crime, grime, and uncertain politics
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