Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Running Into the Sun, presented by a2 Company, written and directed by Ben Ashby, choreographed by Nadiyah Akbar, designed by Asha Barr, composed by Lennox Grootjans and Toby Leman, at the Cloisters Studio at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Tuesday 9 September 2025. The story of the terrific multidisplinary work… Continue reading Review: Running Into the Sun – a freewheeling call for hope in the face of crisis
Graham Sattler reviews Voices of Ōtākaro, presented by UC Music, at the Great Hall at Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Sunday 17 August 2025, performed by Gabriel Baird, Zara Ballara, Naomi Ferguson, Jason Gong, Yumeka Hildreth, Naomi Hnat, Kyle Hsieh, Sára Kadas, Harry Kim, Mahina-Ina Kingi-Kaui, Mark Menzies, Angela Mote, Henry Nicholson, Johnathan… Continue reading Review: Voices of Ōtākaro – an adventurous and skilfully curated showcase of musicianship
Sophie Ricketts reviews Spotlight Series: Alyssa Parkinson - Beyond the Ingénue, presented by Ovation Theatre at Volstead Trading Company, Saturday 19 July, 2025. Ovation Theatre is a company pulsing with ideas and enthusiasm to provide more local talent with more performance opportunities, more often. An admirable goal in a city that is bursting with dynamic… Continue reading Review: Spotlight Series – Alyssa Parkinson – an excellent, intimate night of story and song
Erin Harrington reviews Songs of My Garage Party, presented by Henare "H" Kaa and friends at The Great Hall, Saturday 14 June, 2025. Henare “H” Kaa has invited us to join him and some of his mates at a garage party, but instead of freezing cinderblocks, a flash Dominator with an electric door, or a… Continue reading Review: Songs of My Garage Party – a buzzy, aroha-filled night of story and song
Erin Harrington reviews The Māori Sidesteps at the Great Hall, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Thursday 12 June, 2025. The Māori Sidesteps are expert entertainers with charisma to die for. They pay full-throated homage to legendary Māori showbands like the Volcanics, the Howard Morrison Quartet and the Quin Tikis, while weaving Māoritanga through… Continue reading Review: The Māori Sidesteps – world class entertainment to warm your Matariki
Erin Harrington reviews Pepe, presented by Good Company Arts, at the Cloisters studio, as part of Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre's Matariki programming, Tuesday 10 June, 2025. Pepe is a 15-minute dance video work, although that sounds a little reductive for something that combines experimental digital media, filmed contemporary dance (kanikani) and taonga… Continue reading Review: Pepe – a dance video work in which moths flutter against the cosmos
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
When something is restaged, why not get a reviewer to revisit it? Jordon Jones re-reviews BLUE Experience, written and performed by Sophie Ricketts at Cloisters Studio, Te Matatiki Toi Ora The Arts Centre, Saturday 23 March 2024. I have previously reviewed Sophie Ricketts’ solo show BLUE Experience when she debuted it back in 2019; now,… Continue reading Review: BLUE Experience – a sweet and emotional revisitation
A midwinter restrospective for springtime: Erin Harrington reviews Ka Noho, Ka Mate, presented in the Great Hall as part of the Te Matatiki Toi Ora Arts Centre Matariki Festival, 14 July 2023. The Matariki performance (or gig? or lamentation?) Ka Noho, Ka Mate starts solemnly. Kaiako and rapper Kommi Tamati-Elliffe (Kāi Tahu, Te Ātiawa), producer… Continue reading Review: Ka Noho, Ka Mate – a journey in and out of grief that reminds us everything is here
Erin Harrington reviews Rēwena and Be Like Billy?, staged as a double bill at The Court Theatre, Saturday 25 March 2023. The moving one woman play Rēwena, from award-winning author and playwright Whiti Hereaka (Ngāti Tūwharetoa, Te Arawa, Ngāti Whakaue, Tuhourangi, Ngāti Tumatawera, Tainui, Pākehā) invites us into the private kitchen of hospitality pro… Continue reading Review: Rēwena and Be Like Billy?- a rewarding double bill about reciprocity and those who came before
Flat City Field Notes 