Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
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
Erin Harrington reviews Back to the Future: In Concert, presented by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra under Chief Conductor Benjamin Northey, at the Christchurch Town Hall, Saturday 4 March, 2023. Some incontrovertible facts about the 1985 time travel film Back to the Future: it smashed that year’s box office, it made the DMC DeLeorean a pop… Continue reading Review: Back to the Future In Concert – A 1.21 jigawatt experience
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 Ad Parnassum - Purapurawhetū, and Naomi van den Broek reviews Th’Orchard Dreamers Chapter 2 and Pōhutukawa, all performed at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora as part of their Matariki programming, 8 June - 9 July 2022. “Ngā toi is for everyone”, notes the introduction to The Arts Centre Te Matatiki… Continue reading Review: Matariki at The Arts Centre – Ad Parnassum -Purapurawhetū, th’Orchard, and Pōhutukawa
Claudia Jardine reviews A Little Night Music, directed by Louise Glossop for Enchanting Productions, at The Great Hall, The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Friday 10 June 2022. American composer Stephen Sondheim passed away late last year, and anyone who ever took singing lessons knew about it. His signature songwriting style has witty lyrics,… Continue reading Review: A Little Night Music – searching for romance
Claudia Jardine reviews As of 34, a night of music from Jason Pemberton and Friends, at The Loons, Lyttelton, Saturday 4 June, 2022. It’s a bright autumn day in Ōtautahi, and my plans for the long weekend are turning out as I might have suspected they would. I make it to Muscle & Bone at… Continue reading Review: As of 34 – Jason Pemberton and Friends – virtue-pop in the temple of friendship
Naomi van den Broek reviews The Isolation Mixtape, Vol. 2, directed by Ben Freeth for the Blackboard Theatre Collective, at The Piano Pīpīwharauroa: Kui-kui whitiwhiti ora , Friday 30 July 2021. The Isolation Mixtape Vol.2 is this year’s offering from Blackboard Theatre Collective, following on from an endeavour that came out of lockdown in 2020.… Continue reading Review: The Isolation Mixtape Vol.2 – creative, gutsy, and bold new music
Erin Harrington reviews contemporary dance work P O O Lside at Waltham Pool, at the 4pm showing on Saturday 19 June 2021. It’s close to dusk on what’s nearly the shortest day of the year, and it’s bloody cold. We’re sitting at picnic tables and deck chairs, wrapped in blankets and clutching hot water bottles,… Continue reading Review: P O O Lside – exploring the geometry of community space through movement and voice
Ruth Agnew reviews Asian Kiwiana from Yugto Productions at Little Andromeda on Friday 18 June 2021. Please note, this review is not impartial; the Asian Kiwiana cast, crew and creatives sang their way into this Chiwi chick’s (Chiwi= Chinese New Zealander) heart. It’s hard to view a show impartially when your eyes are full of… Continue reading Review: Asian Kiwiana – elevating the voices of young Asian New Zealanders
Naomi van den Broek and Erin Harrington review Resolve at Space Academy, Thursday 27 May 2021. What would it sound like if we could hear the universe’s improvisations and movements as music? This question is explored in Resolve, which showcases new compositions and arrangements from jazz guitarist Heather Webb, in an evening presented as part… Continue reading Review: Resolve – stellar jazz music inspired by stardust
Flat City Field Notes 