Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Free Theatre’s production of the avant-garde musical Woyzeck, directed by Peter Falkenberg, at The Pump House, 544 Tuam Street, Friday 14 April, 2023. Free Theatre’s production of Woyzeck is an adaptation of Robert Wilson, Kathleen Brennan and Tom Waits’ musical adaptation, first performed in 2000, of Georg Büchner’s fragmentary, unfinished 1836/7 play.… Continue reading Review: Woyzeck – an avant-garde musical about misery
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
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
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
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 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
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
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
Flat City Field Notes 