Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews the Anthony Harper Summer Season of The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic (in 90 Minutes), produced by Rollicking Entertainment, performed outdoors at the Archery Lawn, Christchurch Botanic Gardens, Friday 10 January 2025. For more than two decades summer theatre in the Botanic Gardens, supported by MVP sponsors Anthony Harper, has taken… Continue reading Review: The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic (in 90 Minutes) – Disaster? I hardly know her!
Ruth Agnew reviews O Little Town of Beckenham, written by Greg Cooper, directed by Dan Bain, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 5 December 2024. Little Andromeda’s annual Christmas show has become something of a tradition for Ōtautahi audiences, and this year, Little A has gone one step further in spreading festive cheer by shifting Christmas to… Continue reading Review: O Little Town of Beckenham – an unashamedly hammy Christmas cracker
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
Naomi van den Broek reviews Wobbly, created and performed by Emma Newborn, designed by Nick Zwart, and directed by Tessa Waters, at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 November, 2024. Emma Newborn’s first showing of her one woman show, Wobbly, is a riotously funny lambasting of our relationships with our bodies, wellness culture, and how it feels… Continue reading Review: Wobbly – an assured one-woman comedy about having a body
Ering Harrington reviews The Raft, by Carl Nixon, directed by Julian Anderson, presented by Canterbury Repertory Theatre at the Elmwood Auditorium, Wednesday 20 Nvomber, 2024. Carl Nixon’s emotional drama about grief, memory, and forgiveness The Raft brings together a shattered family on a terrible anniversary. Mark (Matt McMenamin) and Tonia (Emma McBride) suffered through the… Continue reading Review: The Raft – an exploration of grief, anger, and forgiveness
Erin Harrington reviews Prima Facie, by Suzie Miller, presented by Kavanah Productions, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 6 November 2024. Criminal defence barrister Tess (Mel Dodge) is successful and hard-edged. She’s a working-class girl who’s made it alongside privileged private school boys thanks to grit, brains, and a vicious competitive streak. She proclaims her… Continue reading Review: Prima Facie – an intense legal drama about broken systems
Erin Harrington reviews Richard O'Brien's The Kingdom of Bling, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 16 October 2024. Richard O’Brien’s new fantasy rock musical The Kingdom of Bling is a little like Badjelly the Witch for grownups: a political, satirical one-act radio play, performed live by an impressive emsemble of theatrical A-listers and a pair… Continue reading Review: The Kingdom of Bling – a rocking satirical parable from a living legend
Erin Harrington reviews A Doll’s House, written by Henrik Ibsen, translated by Christopher Hampton, directed by Melanie Luckman, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 12 October 2024. Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen’s A Doll’s House is a classic piece of realist theatre, one that’s interested in exploring the nuances of human behaviour in a manner free from… Continue reading Review: A Doll’s House – a realist classic, stunningly designed
Erin Harrington reviews Ngā Rorirori, by Hone Kouka, presented on tour by Tawata Productions, at the Aurora Centre, Friday 4 October. Hone Kouka’s new work Ngā Rorirori (or ‘the fools’) is a truly original piece of performance that combines dance and theatre to offer a comedic account of one family’s clash over whenua. Choregraphed by… Continue reading Review: Ngā Rorirori – a whirlwind mix of farce, dance, music – and ancestral land rights
Erin Harrington reviews Paradise, or the Impermanence of Ice Cream, written by Jacob Rajan and Justin Lewis, directed by Lewis, presented by Indian Ink, at the Court Theatre, Thursday 19 September 2024. It says a great deal about beloved theatre company Indian Ink that the packed opening night audience of Paradise, or the Impermanence of… Continue reading Review: Paradise, or the Impermanence of Ice Cream – a remarkable play about ambition, friendship, survival, and vultures
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