Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews The Early Early Late Show, presented by the Court Jesters in the Wakefield Family Front Room at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 23 September 2025. The Early Early Late Show (EELS) is something of a school holiday fixture, with the first version performed in 2007 in the Court Theatre at the Christchurch Arts… Continue reading Review: The Early Early Late Show – a beloved, brilliantly executed school holiday fixture
Erin Harrington reviews The King’s Speech, written by David Seidler, directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 20 September, 2025. The King's Speech is an ideal choice for the Court Theatre, as they look to tempt old and new patrons alike to their new city theatre. David Seidler’s play, an adaptation of his… Continue reading Review: The King’s Speech – an inspirational crowd-pleaser
Erin Harrington reviews Forna Cape, presented by the Court Jesters, at the Court Theatre, Thursday 18 September. The current Court Jesters’ improvised show was initially programmed as Zeitgeist, a placeholder that would allow the company to respond to whatever was floating to the top of the pop cultural soup. Forna Cape looks to our current… Continue reading Review: Forna Cape – chaotic beachside improv about hot people, pashing, and maybe true love?
Ruth Agnew reviews Six Characters in Search of an Author, written by Luigi Pirandello, directed by Jeremy Hinman, performed by the Court Theatre Youth Company at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 2 September 2025. "A character, sir, may always ask a man who he is. Because a character has really a life of his own, marked… Continue reading Review: Six Characters in Search of an Author – an absurdist showcase of impressive skills, talent and stagecraft
Erin Harrington reviews Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, directed by Alison Walls, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 9 August 2025. The Court Theatre’s production of the evergreen romantic comedy Twelfth Night brings the audience into a dreamy ‘elsewhere’ in which mistaken identity, unrequited love and comic nonsense get all muddled up. A young noblewoman Viola… Continue reading Review: Twelfth Night – strong characterisation and comic action anchor a hazy production
Ruth Agnew reviews Kōpū, written by Tuakoi Ohia, directed by Amber Curreen with musical direction from John Gibson, produced by Te Rehia Theatre and staged at the Court Theatre, Thursday 17 July 2025. Unpeg yourself from the patriarchy! Kōpū begins with the instruction to “leave your white feminism at the door”, and with that baggage… Continue reading Review: Kōpū – a fierce, impressive celebration of femininity
Erin Harrington reviews The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, book by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Tim Bain, with musical direction by Caelen Thomas and choreography by Hillary Moulder, at the Court Theatre, Wednesday 2 July, 2025. The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition is the Court Theatre’s first school holiday production… Continue reading Review: The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition – a delightfully unhinged glitter bomb
Erin Harrington reviews End of Summer Time, written by Sir Roger Hall, directed by Dan Bain, and starring Ross Gumbley, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 21 June 2025. Sir Roger Hall’s latest play End of Summer Time revisits curmudgeon Richard ‘Dickie’ Hart, an ex-cow cockie who finds himself, deep into retirement, living with his wife… Continue reading Review: End of Summer Time – melancholy, funny, and compassionate
Juanita Hepi responds to Black Faggot, written by Victor Rodger, directed by Anapela Polata'ivao, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 17 May, 2025. This is not a review. For a review, go here — and interestingly, the ‘a’ in Faggot is replaced with an ‘*’. Attending the opening night of Black Faggot at the Court Theatre,… Continue reading ‘Cracker wants a Poly’, or, The Adventures of Sione: a response to the power and complexity of Black Faggot
Erin Harrington reviews The End of the Golden Weather, written by Bruce Mason and in a company version by Raymond Hawthorne, directed by Lara Macgregor, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 3 May 2025. The opening night of The End of the Golden Weather, the first production in The Court Theatre’s new purpose built central city… Continue reading Review: The End of the Golden Weather – engrossing, gentle storytelling that welcomes you to the new theatre
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