Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews The Māori Sidesteps at the Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Thursday 12 June, 2025. The Māori Sidesteps are expert entertainers with charisma to die for. They pay full-throated homage to legendary Māori showbands like the Volcanics, the Howard Morrison Quartet and the Quin Tikis, while weaving Māoritanga through… Continue reading Review: The Māori Sidesteps – world class entertainment to warm your Matariki
Erin Harrington reviews Pepe, presented by Good Company Arts, at the Cloisters studio, as part of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre's Matariki programming, Tuesday 10 June, 2025. Pepe is a 15-minute dance video work, although that sounds a little reductive for something that combines experimental digital media, filmed contemporary dance (kanikani) and taonga… Continue reading Review: Pepe – a dance video work in which moths flutter against the cosmos
Lisa Allan reviews Bundle Baby, presented by Cubbin Theatre, at the Cloisters Theatre, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Thursday 5 June 2025. Ōtautahi-based Cubbin Theatre specialises in creating experiences for the youngest members of our society. Their latest show, Bundle Baby, is pitched specifically at those who are just eight months to two… Continue reading Review: Bundle Baby – gentle, imaginative and uplifting play for the youngest of audiences
Juanita Hepi responds to Black Faggot, written by Victor Rodger, directed by Anapela Polata'ivao, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 17 May, 2025. This is not a review. For a review, go here — and interestingly, the ‘a’ in Faggot is replaced with an ‘*’. Attending the opening night of Black Faggot at the Court Theatre,… Continue reading ‘Cracker wants a Poly’, or, The Adventures of Sione: a response to the power and complexity of Black Faggot
Lisa Allan reviews The Cat Eleonore, by Caren Jess, translated and directed by Peter Falkenberg for Free Theatre, at the Climate Action Campus, Wednesday 7 May 2025. It is a brisk night and Avonside’s Climate Action Campus is mostly dark, creating a sense of adventure as my theatre-mate and I seek out the Free Theatre’s performance space… Continue reading Review: The Cat Eleonore – an elegant meditation on the failures of humanity, and the joy of being a cat
Erin Harrington reviews The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, directed by Anna Marshall, at the James Hay Theatre, Tuesday 6 May 2025. The multi-award-winning disaster comedy The Play That Goes Wrong has entertained literally millions of people since its London debut in 2014. This Australasian production is directed… Continue reading Review: The Play That Goes Wrong – a chaotic, comic romp that does just about everything right
Erin Harrington reviews The End of the Golden Weather, written by Bruce Mason and in a company version by Raymond Hawthorne, directed by Lara Macgregor, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 3 May 2025. The opening night of The End of the Golden Weather, the first production in The Court Theatre’s new purpose built central city… Continue reading Review: The End of the Golden Weather – engrossing, gentle storytelling that welcomes you to the new theatre
Erin Harrington reviews Grifted and Talented with Jim Fishwick, presented by Jetpack Theatre, at Little Andromeda, Friday 11 April 2025. Multi-hyphenate creative and improvisor Jim Fishwick knows how to get the best out of performers. Their new improv? performance? comedy? humiliation? show format Grifted and Talented (a title both great and triggering) is a clever… Continue reading Review: Grifted and Talented – a hilarious game show that pits talent against treachery
Erin Harrington reviews The Snow, presented by Wintergreen Creative, at Little Andromeda, Friday 11 April 2025. The small village of Kishka is cut off from the world, and its neighbouring rival town, by an impenetrable wall of snow, and things are getting dire. Various committees of blathering adults are unable to find a solution, but… Continue reading Review: The Snow – a charming and absurd family-friendly fable about connection
Lisa Allan reviews MAMIL 2: GOMIL - Grumpy Old Man in Lycra, performed by Mark Hadlow, written and directed by Gregory Cooper, presented by The Professional Theatre Company at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Monday 10 February, 2025. The Isaac Theatre Royal invites us onto the stage to be seated for the latest Gregory Cooper /… Continue reading Review – MAMIL 2: GOMIL (Grumpy Old Man in Lycra) – A grumpy old class act
Flat City Field Notes 