Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Sense and Sensibility, adapted by Penny Ashton from Jane Austen's novel, directed and choreographed by Hillary Moulder, at The Court Theatre, Saturday 11 February, 2023. I didn’t come to Jane Austen until quite late – my 30s. When I was assigned to read Pride and Prejudice in third form English I was… Continue reading Review: Sense and Sensibility – a sparking romantic romp
Erin Harrington reviews Rent, book / music / lyrics by Jonathan Larson, directed by Lara Macgregor, at The Court Theatre, Friday 19 November 2022. The Court Theatre has had a patchy year. Many shows were cancelled, mucked about or rescheduled, and the year’s standout production – The Māori Sidesteps, wonderful – was chronically underattended. But… Continue reading Review: Rent – vital, muscular musical theatre
Erin Harrington reviews The Māori Sidesteps at The Court Theatre, Thursday 22 September 2022. The Māori Sidesteps brings us to a party where everyone’s invited. This big-hearted production, presented at The Court Theatre, has been a victim of Covid rescheduling, but it’s been worth waiting for. The five performers – Erroll Anderson, Cohen Holloway, Regan… Continue reading Review: The Māori Sidesteps – a satirical blend of music and mischief
Erin Harrington reviews Flagons and Foxtrots, written by Alison Quigan and Ross Gumbley, and directed by Kathleen Burns, at The Court Theatre, Monday 15 August, 2022. Flagons and Foxtrots is a concentrated comic dose of Kiwi nostalgia that revisits the dance halls – and the gender roles – of the 1960s. The play premiered in… Continue reading Review: Flagons and Foxtrots – fun and frothy Kiwi nostalgia
Erin Harrington reviews The Court Theatre's production of The Girl on the Train, adapted by Rachel Wagstaff and Duncan Abel from Paula Hawkins' novel, directed by Holly Chappell, Friday 21 May, 2022. The Court Theatre has been as much a victim of the pandemic as any other company that stages big shows and relies on… Continue reading Review: The Girl on the Train – innovative, immersive, but empty
Erin Harrington reviews the Court Theatre Youth Company's devised production of The Unauthorised Biography Of..., directed by William Burns, at the Canterbury Museum, Wednesday 8 December 2021. Set on the ground floor of the Canterbury Museum, Heather Straka’s multi-disciplinary installation, Isolation Hotel, places us inside the foyer of a shabby, run-down German hotel from the… Continue reading Review: The Unauthorised Biography Of… – high energy, sometimes chaotic histories of unsung heroes
Erin Harrington reviews Little Shop of Horrors, directed by Benjamin Henson, at The Court Theatre, Saturday 20 November 2021. Cult sci-fi horror musical Little Shop of Horrors is one of those rare works of musical theatre that’s effectively smash-proof: it’s smart, consistently funny, frequently in circulation, worthy of repeat viewings, and desperately enjoyable. The Court… Continue reading Review: Little Shop of Horrors – vibrant, camp escapism
Erin Harrington reviews Frankenstein, a co-production between The Court Theatre and the National Academy of Singing and Dramatic Arts (NASDA), at The Court Theatre, Saturday 7 August 2021. Mary Shelley’s 1818 novella Frankenstein; or, the Modern Prometheus is a creature that refuses to die. More than two hundred years after she brought it to life,… Continue reading Review: Frankenstein – some beautiful parts, but not yet whole
Erin Harrington reviews Moana JR. at The Court Theatre, 11am, Saturday 10 July 2021. Broad public acknowledgement and celebration of Matariki has really kicked up a few notches this this year, helped along by the announcement of a regular winter public holiday. A time for reflection and renewal, it's also a celebration of Māori star… Continue reading Review: Moana JR. – a musical celebration of finding your way
Erin Harrington reviews Once, directed by Melanie Luckman, with musical supervision and direction from Luke Di Somma and Andy Manning, at The Court Theatre, Saturday 19 June 2021. The musical romantic dramedy Once is a demanding production to programme and stage. This multi-award-winning show, based on John Carney’s celebrated 2006 film, is a funny, sweet… Continue reading Review: Once – a yearning, joyous musical about love and home
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