Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Charlotte Thornton reviews & Juliet, presented by G&T Productions, directed by Hamish Mouat, choreography by Destiny Anderson, music and lyrics by Max Martin and friends, book by David West Read, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Saturday 30 May 2026. Was 2019 a long time ago? Chronologically, no. Culturally, yes. 2019 saw the West End premiere… Continue reading Review: & Juliet – A girlboss by any other name
Charlotte Thornton reviews Heathers: The Musical, produced by GMG productions, music, book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, directed by Andy Fickman, choreographed by Gary Lloyd, with musical direction from Martine Wengrow, at the James Hay Theatre, Friday 15 May 2026. Heathers is Mean Girls with murder. High school outcast Veronica Sawyer abandons… Continue reading Review: Heathers: The Musical – a powerhouse production that’s the most fun you can have with a toxic ex
Sophie Gray reviews Les Misérables, presented by North Canterbury Musicals, directed by Tom Hart, with musical direction from Gavin Hurley, at the Rangiora Town Hall, Thursday 7 May 2026. Les Misérables is a show that is so incredibly well-known and beloved, it is hard not to arrive with expectations in place. Luckily, my expectations were… Continue reading Review: Les Misérables – an electrifying production of a beloved show
Ruth Agnew reviews Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by Showbiz Christchurch, directed by Stephen Robertson, musical direction by Richard Marrett, based on the novel by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 23 April 2026. Charlie and… Continue reading Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – wonderfully sweet performances in a sometimes bitter musical
Ruth Agnew reviews The Addams Family, book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, backed on characters created by Charles Addams, directed by Claire Clark and Phil Deadn, musical direction by Caelan Thomas, choreography by Catherine McHaffie, at CentreStage Rolleston, Wednesday 15 April 2026. CentreStage Rolleston has wholly embraced The… Continue reading Review: The Addams Family – ghoulishly good community theatre
Ruth Agnew reviews 9 to 5 The Musical, music and lyrics by Dolly Parton, book by Patricia Resnick, directed by Ben Freeth, with musical direction by Richard Marrett and choreography by Kira Josephson, at the Court Theatre, Friday 21 November, 2025. There’s something that strums the right strings in Dolly Parton songs. Opening the show with… Continue reading Review: 9 to 5 The Musical – an incredible toe-tapping escapist musical powered by the strength of women
Sophie Ricketts reviews Chicago, book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, produced by Ben McDonald, directed by Michael Hurst, choreography by Shona McCullagh, musical direction by Paul Barrett, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Sunday 17 August 2025. It was awesome to see the Isaac Theatre Royal full… Continue reading Review: Chicago – an enthralling, razor-sharp production of an enduring classic
Sophie Ricketts reviews Spotlight Series: Alyssa Parkinson - Beyond the Ingénue, presented by Ovation Theatre at Volstead Trading Company, Saturday 19 July, 2025. Ovation Theatre is a company pulsing with ideas and enthusiasm to provide more local talent with more performance opportunities, more often. An admirable goal in a city that is bursting with dynamic… Continue reading Review: Spotlight Series – Alyssa Parkinson – an excellent, intimate night of story and song
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
Erin Harrington reviews Strictly Ballroom The Musical, created by Baz Luhrmann, directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, with musical direction by Richard Marrett, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 23 November 2024. Summer musical Strictly Ballroom is the Court Theatre’s final mainstage production before it shifts to its new central city premises. It’s designed (in every element of… Continue reading Review: Strictly Ballroom – a camp, glitzy goodbye
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