Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews The Savage Coloniser Show, written by Tusiata Avia, directed by Anapela Polata’ivao, produced by Victor Rodger, presented as part of WORD Christchurch at the Black Box Theatre at Papa Hou, Wednesday 10 September, 2024. “Hey James,yeah, youin the white wigin that big Endeavoursailing the blue, blue waterlike a big arseholeFUCK YOU, BITCH"… Continue reading Review: The Savage Coloniser Show – raw, fierce, triumphant
Ruth Agnew reviews Space Invaders, written and performed by Nicola Brown, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 7 September, 2024. Nicola Brown is an Ōtepoti comedian who wants to bring pelvic organ prolapse out of the dark and into conversation. Her award winning solo show, Space Invaders, invites audiences to discuss subjects rarely spoken raised in polite… Continue reading Review: Nicola Brown: Space Invaders – an intimate, brilliant, comedy hour that might just save your life
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
Claudia & Nathaniel Herz Jardine, in conversation, review William Shakespeare's Julius Caesar, directed by Khalil Qualls at Cloisters Studio in Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Tuesday 20 August 2024. Claudia: JMO Theatrics’ production of William Shakespeare’s Julius Caesar may be the most political play you see this year. Yes, it contains factions and… Continue reading Review: Julius Caesar – a gripping political two-hander
Erin Harrington reviews Fun Home, music by Jeanine Tesori, book and lyrics by Lisa Kron, directed by Kathleen Burns, with musical direction from Caelan Thomas, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 10 August 2024. The Tony award-winning one act musical Fun Home is adapted from cartoonist Alison Bechdel’s beloved 2006 graphic memoir, which explores her childhood… Continue reading Review: Fun Home – a musical about memory, grief and sexuality that’s dead funny
Erin Harrington reviews The Tempestuous: A Shrew'd New Comedy by Will Shakespeare and Penny Ashton, at Lyttelton Arts Factory, 9 August 2024. Surely at some point we get to call Penny Ashton a national treasure? Her terrific new one-woman musical comedy The Tempestuous, co-written with one W. Shakespeare, certainly reiterates that she’s one of the… Continue reading Review: The Tempestuous – hot pink comedy meets the Bard’s best bits
Steph Walker reviews Gioachino Rossini's Le comte Ory, presented by NZ Opera with the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, directed by Simon Philips and conducted by Brad Cohen, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 27 June, 2024. Rossini’s Le comte Ory. As an arts lover but opera casual I wasn’t super familiar with it, but Rossini’s famous… Continue reading Review: Le Comte Ory – a joyful, very funny localisation that scores big
Naomi van den Broek reviews FWB: Friends with Boundaries, by Regan Taylor and Leona Revell, produced by Rollicking Entertainment, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 30 May 2024. As a #smugmarried Gen-Xer I’m not totally sure I am the target audience for FWB: Friends With Boundaries so, armed with my most qualified single millennial friend, I head… Continue reading Review: FWB: Friends with Boundaries – a full-hearted, joyful exploration of modern intimacy
Erin Harrington reviews The Brothers Rapture – A Holy Hip-Hop Cabaret, written by Corey M. Glamuzina, with music by Matt Hadgraft, at Little Andromeda, Friday 24 May, 2024. Harold the Giraffe has nothing on Fathers Foley and O’Dea. The Brothers Rapture – A Holy Hip-Hop Cabaret presents a Behind the Music-style account of the rise… Continue reading Review: The Brothers Rapture – a verbally-dextrous comedy musical that might save your soul (and sexual health)
Erin Harrington reviews Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road, written and directed by Gregory Cooper, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 18 May, 2024. In writer-director Gregory Cooper’s energetic new comedy Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road it’s backstage on the opening night of a high stakes national tour of the Scottish… Continue reading Review: Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road – an uneven backstage comedy about on and offstage disaster
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