Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Naomi van den Broek reviews Wobbly, created and performed by Emma Newborn, designed by Nick Zwart, and directed by Tessa Waters, at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 November, 2024. Emma Newborn’s first showing of her one woman show, Wobbly, is a riotously funny lambasting of our relationships with our bodies, wellness culture, and how it feels… Continue reading Review: Wobbly – an assured one-woman comedy about having a body
Ering Harrington reviews The Raft, by Carl Nixon, directed by Julian Anderson, presented by Canterbury Repertory Theatre at the Elmwood Auditorium, Wednesday 20 Nvomber, 2024. Carl Nixon’s emotional drama about grief, memory, and forgiveness The Raft brings together a shattered family on a terrible anniversary. Mark (Matt McMenamin) and Tonia (Emma McBride) suffered through the… Continue reading Review: The Raft – an exploration of grief, anger, and forgiveness
Erin Harrington reviews Prima Facie, by Suzie Miller, presented by Kavanah Productions, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 6 November 2024. Criminal defence barrister Tess (Mel Dodge) is successful and hard-edged. She’s a working-class girl who’s made it alongside privileged private school boys thanks to grit, brains, and a vicious competitive streak. She proclaims her… Continue reading Review: Prima Facie – an intense legal drama about broken systems
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)
Flat City Field Notes 