Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Nick Harte reviews Rameau / Poulenc / Beethoven, presented by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra, conducted by Chad Kelly, at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall, Saturday 12 September 2026. I was elatedly taken aback when the concert opened (sans introduction) with "Entrée de Polymnie" from Jean-Philippe Rameau’s final opera Les Boréades, as it’s one… Continue reading Review: Rameau / Poulenc / Beethoven – wild displays of anguish and ecstacy, with a dollop of theatricality
Erin Harrington reviews Showcuterie, from Pig Alien Productions, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 27 August 2026. In praise of new work! Showcuterie, from new company Pig Alien Productions, is basically a high-quality souped-up scratch night, and a real joy. The evening comprises four new short works by professional actors and improvisers, who have worked collectively to… Continue reading Review: Showcuterie – a delicious helping of new short devised works
Naomi van den Broek reviews Dear Stalker, written and performed by Harriet Moir, at Little Andromeda, Friday 24 July 2026. Dear Stalker is a tight, frank, and riotously hilarious stand up hour about the trials and tribulations of looking for love, from comedian Harriet Moir. It opens with a David Attenborough-esque voice over introducing us… Continue reading Review: Dear Stalker – a bloody funny show that works the audience like a pleasure device
Ruth Agnew reviews An Hour of Smith and Allan at Little Andromeda, Friday 17 April 2026. Daniel Allan and Trubie-Dylan Smith are well known names, names recognised across Ōtautahi and beyond. Trubie-Dylan Smith’s roles reflect his versatility, ranging from presenting What Now to the recent Every Brilliant Thing and Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible… Continue reading Review: An Hour of Smith and Allan – sharp minds and quick quips make a great hour of long-form improv
Breeze Robertson reviews Macbeth, presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, choreographed by Alice Topp, with music by Christopher Gordon, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 18 March 2026. Bravo RNZB, Macbeth the contemporary ballet was a courageous concept, brilliantly executed. With social media influencers instead of witches, boardroom politics instead of royal intrigues, and… Continue reading Review: Macbeth – courageous, contemporary, and the future of ballet
Erin Harrington reviews The Night Ali Died, presented by Raising Cain Productions, at Little Andromeda, Friday 6 March 2026. British performer Chris Sainton-Clark’s crime thriller The Night Ali Died is an absorbing piece of solo theatre that combines sharp storytelling and cinematic tropes in a very satisfying way. Ali is just some late-20s guy from… Continue reading Review: The Night Ali Died – a compelling, cinematic crime thriller about a very bad night
Erin Harrington reviews The Ballad of Briar Grant, written by Jack McGee, directed by Lia Kelly, presented by Squash Co Arts Collection, at Little Andromeda, Wednesday 6 August 2025. In Jack McGee’s new play The Ballad of Briar Grant, Hayley (Phoebe Caldeiro) finds herself working in an apple orchard in the south of France after… Continue reading Review: The Ballad of Briar Grant – how do you like them apples?
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 Addams, a short film from Many Hats Theatre Company that screens at Lumière Cinema, 14-15 May 2021. The Addams is a short film that highlights truth in the adage that ‘the show must go on’. The engaging and funny 30-minute short chronicles the work of Many Hats, a theatre company made… Continue reading Review: The Addams – a playful film about the spooky, ooky creative process
Naomi van den Broek reviews Chamber Music New Zealand's production Transfigured Night, a collaboration between BalletCollective Aotearoa and the New Zealand String Quartet. The performance was presented on Saturday 20 March in The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts Pīpīwharauroa: Kui-kui whitiwhiti ora, Ōtautahi Christchurch. For this programme, presented by Chamber Music New Zealand,… Continue reading Review: Transfigured Night – a bold collaborative programme that doesn’t always cohere
Flat City Field Notes 