Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Naomi van den Broek and Erin Harrington review Resolve at Space Academy, Thursday 27 May 2021. What would it sound like if we could hear the universe’s improvisations and movements as music? This question is explored in Resolve, which showcases new compositions and arrangements from jazz guitarist Heather Webb, in an evening presented as part… Continue reading Review: Resolve – stellar jazz music inspired by stardust
Erin Harrington reviews Taki Rua's production of Sing to Me at Papa Hou, YMCA Building, on 25 May 2021. Taki Rua’s beautiful touring production Sing to Me takes as its starting point the story of Pania of the Reef, placing it within a contemporary context that acknowledges present-day cultural exchanges, the pressures of relationships and… Continue reading Review: Sing to Me – a powerful love story where land meets sea
Erin Harrington reviews the Court Theatre Youth Company's production of Boys, 12 May 2021. The Court Theatre Youth Company's excellent production of Eleanor Bishop's Boys is a raw and angry show that asks questions about gender, power and tradition. Bishop’s script deconstructs Greg McGee’s landmark play Foreskin’s Lament, a scorching account of the fractious place… Continue reading Review: Boys – a raw and provocative account of gender and power
Erin Harrington reviews The Addams, a short film from Many Hats Theatre Company that screens at Lumière Cinema, 14-15 May 2021. The Addams is a short film that highlights truth in the adage that ‘the show must go on’. The engaging and funny 30-minute short chronicles the work of Many Hats, a theatre company made… Continue reading Review: The Addams – a playful film about the spooky, ooky creative process
Ruth Agnew reviews the breakfast television show parody Brunch at Little Andromeda, 30 April 2021. Brunch is the most comfortable of all meals, free of the formality and nutritional expectations of breakfast, lunch, dinner, brinner, elevenses, and supper. Two of Ōtautahi’s favourite tasty snacks, Ray Shipley and Emma Cusdin are, as their promotional material suggests,… Continue reading Review: Brunch – a comedy show that’s the best meal of the day
Erin Harrington reviews opening night of the Court Theatre's mainstage production of Ladies Night, on 1 May, 2021. In the last week the Court Theatre has celebrated its 50th birthday – a remarkable milestone. It follows up these festivities with the opening of a terrific production of New Zealand’s most commercially successful play, Ladies Night.… Continue reading Review: Ladies Night – bums on stage and bums on seats
Erin Harrington reviews The Lost Sock, at Good Times Comedy Club, 20 April 2021. Tusk Puppets’ production The Lost Sock is an endearing school holiday show for young people that foregrounds friendship, teamwork and bravery. Their first show as a company is a witty quest-slash-redemption story driven by strong, catchy songs and effective dual address. Puppet operators and… Continue reading Review: The Lost Sock – an endearing show about socks, jocks, and friendship
Naomi van den Broek reviews Red Leap Theatre's touring production of Owls Do Cry at The Gym, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Thursday 8 April, 2021. I attend this lunchtime performance of Owls Do Cry knowing very little about the source material, New Zealand author Janet Frame’s lauded 1957 novel, and just a… Continue reading Review: Owls Do Cry – a complex and arrestingly poetic performance
Erin Harrington reflects on issues of space and autonomy in three gender-focussed shows that played over two nights at Little Andromeda: feminist cabaret The F-Word by Tatjana T on Friday 26 March, and Two Productions' MAINMAIN, and the panel show / podcast Feminist Yarns with Kathleen Burns on Saturday 27 March 2021. About two thirds… Continue reading Taking Up Space: A reflection on The F-Word, MAINMAN and Feminist Yarns with Kathleen Burns
Naomi van den Broek reviews Chamber Music New Zealand's production Transfigured Night, a collaboration between BalletCollective Aotearoa and the New Zealand String Quartet. The performance was presented on Saturday 20 March in The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts Pīpīwharauroa: Kui-kui whitiwhiti ora, Ōtautahi Christchurch. For this programme, presented by Chamber Music New Zealand,… Continue reading Review: Transfigured Night – a bold collaborative programme that doesn’t always cohere
Flat City Field Notes 