Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Kathleen Burns, produced by TheatreWise, at the Papa Hou Black Box Theatre, Thursday 6 August 2026. Full disclosure: I am a freak for words. If you want to get on my good side, a decent game of Scrabble makes me weak at the… Continue reading Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – an absolutely outstanding production
Erin Harrington on the lack of South Island investment in Creative New Zealand's Arts Organisations and Groups (AOG) funding round, including the news that South Island organisations collectively received less than 10% of the total funding offered, and that Christchurch theatre Little Andromeda and the Dunedin Arts Festival have been defunded entirely. Hello, world There’s… Continue reading If you don’t look you can’t see, or, the consequences of Southern invisibility in national arts funding
Nick Harte reviews de Castro-Robinson, Mahler, Berlioz, presented by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Benjamin Northey, at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium in the Christchurch Town Hall, Saturday 1 August 2026. Eve de Castro-Robinson’s Hour of Lead (2024) takes its namesake from the Emily Dickinson poem which reads: After great pain, a formal feeling comes… Continue reading Review: de Castro-Robinson, Mahler, Berlioz – a triptych of works circling heartbreak, grief and the macabre
Breeze Robertson reviews the Royal New Zealad Ballet's Winter Season at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Friday 31 July 2026, RNZB’s Winter Season triple bill was somewhat of a whiplash tour through the evolution of ballet - from the tutus and tights of the traditionally classical Birthday Offering, through the playful contemporary quartet Ultra Folly, and… Continue reading Review: Royal New Zealand Ballet’s Winter Season – a triple bill that’s pretty, playful and political
Naomi van den Broek reviews Dear Stalker, written and performed by Harriet Moir, at Little Andromeda, Friday 24 July 2026. Dear Stalker is a tight, frank, and riotously hilarious stand up hour about the trials and tribulations of looking for love, from comedian Harriet Moir. It opens with a David Attenborough-esque voice over introducing us… Continue reading Review: Dear Stalker – a bloody funny show that works the audience like a pleasure device
Charlotte Thornton reviews Folk Tales, presented by Rollicking Entertainment for the Lyttelton Arts Festival, at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, Sunday 19 July 2026. Let’s talk about the apocalypse. It’s hard to say if we’re properly in it now, or still dodging it Matrix-style, but this year has seen a distinct mood shift. Blues and folk… Continue reading Review: Folk Tales – a much-needed cuddle in dark times
Ruth Agnew reviews At the Wake, by Victor Rodger, directed by Tanya Muagututi'a, at the Court Theatre, Satrday 18 July 2026. Recently a friend told me we have reached the age of funerals; we have moved through the era of every weekend being crammed with 21st parties, weddings, christenings, and reached a time in our… Continue reading Review: At the Wake – A poignant account of love, loss and connection
Charlotte Thornton reviews Pierre & Randy’s Gameshow Roulette, presented at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Satuday 18 July 2026. Back in March, I reviewed The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show at The Court Theatre during its Rainbow Festival. It featured Dan Pengelly as sassy, French-accented compére Pierre, Criss Grueber… Continue reading Review: Pierre & Randy’s Gameshow Roulette – a great show lost in its crowd
Jordon Jones reviews Great Comic Writing, presented by Joe Bennett as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, Sunday 12 July 2026.A week ago, I went to Lyttelton Arts Factory to hear Joe Bennett in discussion about Shakespeare's Greatest Comedy. This last weekend, both of us returned to the same place… Continue reading Review: Great Comic Writing – an incisive, insightful masterclass in wit and wordplay
Charlotte Thornton reviews Stars Lyttelton, presented by Shay Horay and friends as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, at The Loons, Saturday 11 July 2026. TV used to be awesome. On ITV’s Stars in Their Eyes, a regular person would get awkwardly interviewed before disappearing into a cloud of smoke and re-emerging dressed as a… Continue reading Review: Stars Lyttelton – the best talent quest in town
Flat City Field Notes 