Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews The Merry Wives of Windsor, produced by Top Dog Theatre Company as their annual Open Air Summer Shakespeare production, at Mona Vale, Friday 6 February 2026. While I am a lifelong fangirl of William Shakespeare and his works, I must be honest and admit The Merry Wives of Windsor has never tickled… Continue reading Review: The Merry Wives of Windsor – a smart and funny take on a flawed comedy
Charlotte Thrornton reviews Doomsday Comedy, at A Rolling Stone, Friday 6 February 2026. Legacy stand-ups love to tell us that comedy is about taking risks and being unafraid to offend. Doomsday Comedy bravely takes on a completely uncontroversial topic: religion. All of the performers, and much of the crowd, once adhered to some form of… Continue reading Review: Doomsday Comedy – comedy is tragedy plus freedom
Erin Harrington reviews The Feast, directed by Fleur de Thier and Renee Ryan and created with the cast, at Lyttelton Arts Factory, Friday 6 February, 2026. The return season of Fleur de Thier and Renee Ryan’s stunning 75-minute performance work The Feast is set at a long black banquet table, which is backed by a… Continue reading Review: The Feast – sumptuous, emotional storytelling through dance, monologue and music
Erin Harrington reviews the Anthony Harper Summer Theatre production of The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes!, produced by Rollicking Entertainment, at the Archery Lawn, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Friday 9 January 2026. Happy 2026, and happy first major production of the year: the Anthony Harper Summer Theatre production of The Lord of the Rings… Continue reading Review: The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes! – quality madcap fantasy comedy and action (picnic optional but recommended)
Erin Harrington reviews A Christchurch Carol, written by Gregory Cooper, directed by Dan Bain, with music from Michael Bell, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 4 December 2025. This year’s Little Andromeda Christmas show, A Christchurch Carol, localises Dickens’ classic, dropping us in the middle of the city and some of the outer suburbs for an uplifting(?)… Continue reading Review: A Christchurch Carol – everything you want for the holiday season (wit, dance sequences, smut, puppets, ghosts)
Daniel Allan reviews The Odyssey, the inaugural graduation project of the One-Year Actor Training Course at Hagley Theatre School, directed Pedro Ilgenfritz and Tane Te Pakeke-Patterson in collaboration with acrobatics tutor Danny Syme, at Altiora, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Monday 1 December, 2025. The Odyssey is an ancient Greek poem by Homer… Continue reading Review: The Odyssey – a compelling, impressive hour of non-naturalistic theatre
Ruth Agnew reviews The Hound of the Baskervilles, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, adapted for the stage by Simon Williams, directed by Ross Gumbley for Canterbury Repertory Theatre, at Elmwood Auditorium, Wednesday 19 November, 2025. The Hound of the Baskervilles is one of the most popular Sherlock Holmes stories, remaining in print for over one… Continue reading Review: The Hound of the Baskervilles – a confident combination of classic storytelling and experimental staging
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
Erin Harrington reviews Faust on Trial, by Josiah Morgan, Jonty Coulson and Stella Cheersmith with Pedro Ilgenfritz, created as part of the Hagley Theatre School Six-Month Theatre Creation Course, at Te Wā, Thursday 6 November, 2025. One of the most interesting and energizing things to happen in the performing arts in Ōtautahi recently has been… Continue reading Review: Faust on Trial – a risky and innovative new work about the deals we make
John Armstrong reviews Eat Sleep Dance Repeat, written and performed by Rachel Brebner, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 6 November 2025. I have vague memories of Stage Challenge, having taken part during my first year of high school. I recall dancing to Single Ladies in a shade of red that did no favours to a face… Continue reading Review: Eat, Sleep, Dance, Repeat – nostalgia, grit, and sheer willpower
Flat City Field Notes 