Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews The Tempestuous: A Shrew'd New Comedy by Will Shakespeare and Penny Ashton, at Lyttelton Arts Factory, 9 August 2024. Surely at some point we get to call Penny Ashton a national treasure? Her terrific new one-woman musical comedy The Tempestuous, co-written with one W. Shakespeare, certainly reiterates that she’s one of the… Continue reading Review: The Tempestuous – hot pink comedy meets the Bard’s best bits
Erin Harrington reviews Pōtaka Nautilus, presented by Good Company Arts, at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, 27 June 2024. Good Company Arts, led by Arts Laureate Daniel Belton, creates fascinating multi-modal works that combine contemporary dance, taonga pūoro, sampled electronics and strings, digital video art and virtual reality technologies. Their work Ad Parnassum… Continue reading Review: Pōtaka Nautilus – a spiralling encounter with our place in the universe
Steph Walker reviews Gioachino Rossini's Le comte Ory, presented by NZ Opera with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, directed by Simon Philips and conducted by Brad Cohen, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 27 June, 2024. Rossini’s Le comte Ory. As an arts lover but opera casual I wasn’t super familiar with it, but Rossini’s famous… Continue reading Review: Le Comte Ory – a joyful, very funny localisation that scores big
Theresa Koorey, assisted by some junior reporters, reviews Cubbin Concert, presented by Cubbin Theatre Company, at the Cloisters Studio, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Sunday 16 June 2024. You arrive at the cosy Cloisters Theatre in the Art Centre Precinct and straight away you know you are in for something special. With thousands… Continue reading Review: Cubbin Concert – an interactive musical show full of aroha
Naomi van den Broek reviews FWB: Friends with Boundaries, by Regan Taylor and Leona Revell, produced by Rollicking Entertainment, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 30 May 2024. As a #smugmarried Gen-Xer I’m not totally sure I am the target audience for FWB: Friends With Boundaries so, armed with my most qualified single millennial friend, I head… Continue reading Review: FWB: Friends with Boundaries – a full-hearted, joyful exploration of modern intimacy
Erin Harrington reviews The Brothers Rapture – A Holy Hip-Hop Cabaret, written by Corey M. Glamuzina, with music by Matt Hadgraft, at Little Andromeda, Friday 24 May, 2024. Harold the Giraffe has nothing on Fathers Foley and O’Dea. The Brothers Rapture – A Holy Hip-Hop Cabaret presents a Behind the Music-style account of the rise… Continue reading Review: The Brothers Rapture – a verbally-dextrous comedy musical that might save your soul (and sexual health)
Erin Harrington reviews Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road, written and directed by Gregory Cooper, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 18 May, 2024. In writer-director Gregory Cooper’s energetic new comedy Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road it’s backstage on the opening night of a high stakes national tour of the Scottish… Continue reading Review: Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road – an uneven backstage comedy about on and offstage disaster
Naomi van den Broek reviews H.R. The Musical, presented by Artsense Productions, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 16 May, 2024. When your job is mostly “email” with a dash of “meeting”, a show entitled H.R. The Musical feels like it should be a total home run. My colleague and I, hearts open, senses of humour on… Continue reading Review: H.R. the Musical – a promising new hire in need of some professional development
Ruth Agnew reviews Fairystories, presented by Enchanting Productions at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, Wednesday 10 April, 2024. Enchanting Productions has delighted audiences with prior performances including their successful company debut of Secret Garden and the impressive season of the challenging Sondheim classic, A Little Night Music. Their latest offering again boasts… Continue reading Review: Fairystories – a new musical in need of more magic
Erin Harrington reviews Class Act, written and directed by Andrew Todd, at Little Andromeda, Wednesday 17 April 2024. Andrew Todd’s satisfying new black comedy Class Act might be better titled Corporate Comedy Confidential. 'Class Act', aka performers Ruby and Vincent and fresh-faced unpaid intern Caitlyn, are here to expose the inner workings of corporate comedy… Continue reading Review: Class Act – a bleak trip into the wilderness of corporate entertainment
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