Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
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
Erin Harrington chats with Lizzie Tollemache through the wonders of the internet about their new performance work, on why sharing (in rehearsals) is caring, and how Creative NZ can learn something from defence lawyers. Lizzie's show The NeuroSpice Girls is particularly interesting for the way that it’s looking to challenge traditional approaches in its creation,… Continue reading Interview: Lizzie Tollemache on making neurospicy theatre
Naomi van den Broek on learning to be a clown under the tutelage of comedian Tessa Waters - including the work, joy and importance of creating feminist communities in comedy and performing arts. Sometime in 2023 I was added to a Facebook group with the name Feminist Clown Posse (FCP) and an amazing profile pic… Continue reading Behind the Curtain at Clown Club (or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love to Bomb)
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
Erin Harrington reviews The Deadbeat Opera, presented by Free Theatre, adapted and directed by Peter Falkenberg, at the Pump House, Friday 6 September 2024. Where Free Theatre’s 2023 adaptation of Woyzeck offered misery on tap, their new companion work, The Deadbeat Opera, is presented to us overtly, in the show's opening preamble, as a low-life,… Continue reading Review: The Deadbeat Opera – a low-life comedy about crime, grime, and uncertain politics
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
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