Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Friends to the End, created and performed by Wiremu Tuhiwai and Brendon Bennetts with Criss Grueber, at Little Andromeda, Friday 12 June 2026. The award-winning improvised theatre show Friends to the End feels like it needs a graphic novel rather than a written review. There’d be a lot of pow and thwop… Continue reading Review: Friends to the End – not even the apocalypse can bust up this delightful bromance
Charlotte Thornton reviews Paul Ego: Stick, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 11 June 2026. You’ve been hearing Paul Ego’s voice for 17 years. Since 2009 he’s been a regular team captain on 7 Days and the voice of Stickman for PAK’nSAVE, bridging a gap between the underfunded arts field and the lucrative advertising industry that most… Continue reading Review: Paul Ego: Stick – appealing, breezy comedy from the dad behind the stick
Nick Harte reviews Ravel, Morello, Mozart, presented by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra as part of the Lamb & Hayward Curator's Series, featuring Maurince Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin, Nicola Morello's Bass Trombone Concerto No. 1 and W A Mozart's Symphony No. 29, conducted by Leonard Weiss, featuring Pablo Ruiz Henao on Bass Trombone, at the… Continue reading Review: Ravel, Morello, Mozart – an infectiously upbeat performance
Jordon Jones reviews Face/Off: Comedy vs. Poetry presented by Dave Adams and Jor Dansaren, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 6 June 2026. You might think that the question "who is funnier: comedians or poets?" would be fairly self-explanatory. But, then, you probably don't know enough poets. It's certainly a question that has inspired comedian Dave Adams… Continue reading Review: Face/Off: Comedy vs Poetry – quick wit and wordplay make for a quality grudge match
Erin Harrington reviews Babyface, written and performed by Nick Tipa, directed by Sara Georgie, with music and sound design by Zac Nicholls, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 4 June 2026. Kahu’s a Māori kid in a small rural town that can’t tap its ‘r’s. Professional wrestler Whiplash is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world with… Continue reading Review: Babyface – a total suplex to the heart
Charlotte Thornton reviews & Juliet, presented by G&T Productions, directed by Hamish Mouat, choreography by Destiny Anderson, music and lyrics by Max Martin and friends, book by David West Read, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Saturday 30 May 2026. Was 2019 a long time ago? Chronologically, no. Culturally, yes. 2019 saw the West End premiere… Continue reading Review: & Juliet – A girlboss by any other name
Erin Harrington reviews Let the Right One In, adapted by Jack Thorne from the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, directed by Dan Bain, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 23 May 2026. The coming-of-age horror drama Let the Right One In is a real departure from the Court Theare’s usual programming. The play is based on… Continue reading Review: Let the Right One In – an ambitious gothic coming-of-age story that challenges the audience
Erin Harrington reviews The First Annual Parnell Croquet Club Facebook Live Telethon, created and performed by William Burns (and friends), at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 May 2026. The Parnell Croquet Club is in danger of folding, and community stalwart Pat Stevens (Will Burns) is here with her zip up vest, sensible shoes and tenuous wi-fi… Continue reading Review: The First Annual Parnell Croquet Club Facebook Live Telethon – so good (so good, so good)
Ruth Agnew reviews Animal Farm, presented by Canterbury Repertory Theatre, adapted for the stage by Tatty Hennessy from the novella by George Orwell, directed by Dimitri Gibara, at the Elmwood Auditorium, Wednesday 20 May 2026. What better way to escape the rising tide of corruption in a sea of political power play flooding the world… Continue reading Review: Animal Farm – strong barnyard performances brighten an ambitious production
Charlotte Thornton reviews Heathers: The Musical, produced by GMG productions, music, book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, directed by Andy Fickman, choreographed by Gary Lloyd, with musical direction from Martine Wengrow, at the James Hay Theatre, Friday 15 May 2026. Heathers is Mean Girls with murder. High school outcast Veronica Sawyer abandons… Continue reading Review: Heathers: The Musical – a powerhouse production that’s the most fun you can have with a toxic ex
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