Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Lisa Allan reviews The Cat Eleonore, by Caren Jess, translated and directed by Peter Falkenberg for Free Theatre, at the Climate Action Campus, Wednesday 7 May 2025. It is a brisk night and Avonside’s Climate Action Campus is mostly dark, creating a sense of adventure as my theatre-mate and I seek out the Free Theatre’s performance space… Continue reading Review: The Cat Eleonore – an elegant meditation on the failures of humanity, and the joy of being a cat
Erin Harrington reviews The Play That Goes Wrong, by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields, directed by Anna Marshall, at the James Hay Theatre, Tuesday 6 May 2025. The multi-award-winning disaster comedy The Play That Goes Wrong has entertained literally millions of people since its London debut in 2014. This Australasian production is directed… Continue reading Review: The Play That Goes Wrong – a chaotic, comic romp that does just about everything right
Erin Harrington reviews The End of the Golden Weather, written by Bruce Mason and in a company version by Raymond Hawthorne, directed by Lara Macgregor, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 3 May 2025. The opening night of The End of the Golden Weather, the first production in The Court Theatre’s new purpose built central city… Continue reading Review: The End of the Golden Weather – engrossing, gentle storytelling that welcomes you to the new theatre
Erin Harrington reviews Grifted and Talented with Jim Fishwick, presented by Jetpack Theatre, at Little Andromeda, Friday 11 April 2025. Multi-hyphenate creative and improvisor Jim Fishwick knows how to get the best out of performers. Their new improv? performance? comedy? humiliation? show format Grifted and Talented (a title both great and triggering) is a clever… Continue reading Review: Grifted and Talented – a hilarious game show that pits talent against treachery
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 MAMIL 2: GOMIL - Grumpy Old Man in Lycra, performed by Mark Hadlow, written and directed by Gregory Cooper, presented by The Professional Theatre Company at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Monday 10 February, 2025. The Isaac Theatre Royal invites us onto the stage to be seated for the latest Gregory Cooper /… Continue reading Review – MAMIL 2: GOMIL (Grumpy Old Man in Lycra) – A grumpy old class act
Steph Walker reviews Keith Preene's Golden Goose Bingo, presented as part of the World Buskers Festival in the James Hay Auditorium, Friday 31 January, 2025. Every year during the festive season I’ve seen Keith Preene calendars hit the market - the long-time Rolleston native’s annual chance to really show off his protrusions and personality. Preene… Continue reading Review: Keith Preene’s Golden Goose Bingo – a fun and chaotic night in with one man and his balls
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
Naomi van den Broek reviews Two Girls One Gun, created and performed by Comedy Gold, at The Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, as part of the World Buskers Festival, Friday 24 January, 2025. Comedy Gold describe their work as ‘genre bending’, and I think it’s an entirely apt description of what… Continue reading Review: Two Girls One Gun – a top-tier spy parody in the wrong place at the right time
Sophie Ricketts reviews The Tape Face Show, presented as part of the World Buskers Festival, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 23 January 2025. The prodigal son has returned! From the stages of New Zealand, to stages around the world (including the glitz and glamour of America’s Got Talent and Las Vegas), it is a… Continue reading Review: The Tape Face Show – delightfully silly, absolute heaven
Flat City Field Notes 