Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lisa Allan reviews Up and Away, presented by Cubbin Theatre at the Cloisters Studio, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Wednesday 5 November, 2025. It is a lovely, sunny Ōtautahi morning and the opening day of Cubbin Theatre’s show for babies, Up and Away, directed by the multi-talented Melanie Luckman. I’ve just fed our son, 10-week old Joe,… Continue reading Review: Up and Away – an enchanting and special experience for babies and adults alike
This is the first in an occasional series of guest posts from creatives who see an issue in their field, and want to bring more people into the conversation in the hope of sparking some positive changes. Here, Lizzie Tollemache writes about the dire state of support for theatre for young people in Aotearoa New… Continue reading Ideas for change: Lizzie Tollemache on the bleak state of support for theatre for the young
Erin Harrington reviews Kitchen Chaos, presented by Rollicking Entertainment, at the Court Theatre, Thursday 2 October 2025. Young audiences are the best to entertain, but they certainly are the toughest to please. No fear: even in the opening minutes of Kitchen Chaos, performers Lizzie Tollemache and David Ladderman clearly have the school holiday audience under… Continue reading Review: Kitchen Chaos – a winning recipe for comedy, clowning, and domestic disaster
Ruth Agnew reviews The Early Early Late Show, presented by the Court Jesters in the Wakefield Family Front Room at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 23 September 2025. The Early Early Late Show (EELS) is something of a school holiday fixture, with the first version performed in 2007 in the Court Theatre at the Christchurch Arts… Continue reading Review: The Early Early Late Show – a beloved, brilliantly executed school holiday fixture
Erin Harrington reviews The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, book by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Tim Bain, with musical direction by Caelen Thomas and choreography by Hillary Moulder, at the Court Theatre, Wednesday 2 July, 2025. The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition is the Court Theatre’s first school holiday production… Continue reading Review: The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition – a delightfully unhinged glitter bomb
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
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 Caterpillars, created and directed by Thom Monckton and produced by Circo Kali for the World Buskers Festival, at Altiora, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Festival, Wednesday 29 January, 2025. Two lycra-clad clowns actively welcome the audience from a stage adorned with three colourful rounded screens. The performers are covered from head to… Continue reading Review: Caterpillars – skilful and generous clowning
Erin Harrington reviews The Messy Magic Adventure, presented by Rollicking Entertainment for the World Busters Festival at Altiora, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Monday 27 January, 2025. In The Messy Magic Adventure, presented as part of this year’s World Buskers Festival, we join cheerful, clown-like cleaners Spray and Wipe on what appears (at… Continue reading Review: The Messy Magic Adventure – a masterclass in family entertainment
Theresa Koorey reviews Sportsball, presented by Cubbin Theatre, directed by Melanie Luckman, at the Cloisters Studio at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Saturday 31 August 2024. Entering the intimate Cloisters Studio with my 3 year old, we are greeted by an equally intimate setup of cushions and chairs surrounding them. A taped marked… Continue reading Review: Sportsball – an energetic show about play and resilience
Flat City Field Notes 