Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
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?
Lisa Allan reviews Rubber Gloves: The Glad Rags Story, written by Jennifer Currie, at Little Andromeda, Friday 18 July, 2025. The stage at Little Andromeda in Ōtautahi Christchurch is awash with colour in the form of costumes and props and it is not long before the house lights dim and the two-strong cast of Rubber Gloves: The Glad… Continue reading Review: Rubber Gloves – the Glad Rags Story – bold and silly playfulness from the best cleaners around
Lisa Allan reviews Just Eat the Damn Sausage, written and performed by Harriet Moir, Little Andromeda, Saturday 12 July 2025. The crowd is buzzing as the final few seats in the Little Andromeda theatre fill up. Harriet Moir is on tour with her award-winning stand-up comedy show, Just Eat the Damn Sausage, having already enjoyed a successful season… Continue reading Review: Just Eat the Damn Sausage – a sizzler of a comedy show
Lisa Allan reviews PopRox Improv, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 14 June, 2025. It is Saturday night and the foyer at Little Andromeda is packed with punters who have come out in force to see the Wellington improv comedy troupe, PopRox, perform. It is not surprising to see a cohort from Christchurch’s own professional improv troupe,… Continue reading Review: PopRox Improv – a generous, playful and positive force
Erin Harrington reviews Coro, presented by Mon Platon Productions at Little Andromeda, Friday 13 June, 2025. Coming into the comedy show Coro I’m clearly one of a handful of audience members who’ve never seen a full episode of Coronation Street. Growing up, the woeful wail of the cornet in the show’s opening theme would trigger… Continue reading Review: Coro – a terrific comic homage to the iconic soap opera
Erin Harrington reviews Grifted and Talented with Jim Fishwick, presented by Jetpack Theatre, at Little Andromeda, Friday 11 April 2025. Multi-hyphenate creative and improvisor Jim Fishwick knows how to get the best out of performers. Their new improv? performance? comedy? humiliation? show format Grifted and Talented (a title both great and triggering) is a clever… Continue reading Review: Grifted and Talented – a hilarious game show that pits talent against treachery
Erin Harrington reviews The Snow, presented by Wintergreen Creative, at Little Andromeda, Friday 11 April 2025. The small village of Kishka is cut off from the world, and its neighbouring rival town, by an impenetrable wall of snow, and things are getting dire. Various committees of blathering adults are unable to find a solution, but… Continue reading Review: The Snow – a charming and absurd family-friendly fable about connection
Ruth Agnew reviews O Little Town of Beckenham, written by Greg Cooper, directed by Dan Bain, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 5 December 2024. Little Andromeda’s annual Christmas show has become something of a tradition for Ōtautahi audiences, and this year, Little A has gone one step further in spreading festive cheer by shifting Christmas to… Continue reading Review: O Little Town of Beckenham – an unashamedly hammy Christmas cracker
Erin Harrington talks with Brendon Bennetts, the creator / producer / co-Dungeon Master of Dungeons and Comedians, about the show’s development and production, and what’s special (and challenging) about producing a live, improvised theatrical actual play series in the era of digital content. D&C has been running since 2018, and live recordings are also available… Continue reading Interview: Brendon Bennetts on developing Dungeons and Comedians
Naomi van den Broek reviews Wobbly, created and performed by Emma Newborn, designed by Nick Zwart, and directed by Tessa Waters, at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 November, 2024. Emma Newborn’s first showing of her one woman show, Wobbly, is a riotously funny lambasting of our relationships with our bodies, wellness culture, and how it feels… Continue reading Review: Wobbly – an assured one-woman comedy about having a body
Flat City Field Notes 