Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Jordon Jones reviews And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie, directed by Rachel O'Brien Hamilton and Ben Moore, presented by the University of Canterbury Drama Society, at the Ngaio Marsh Theatre, Wednesday 9 September 2026. And Then There Were None is one of Agatha Christie's most enduring mysteries, sitting right up there with Murder… Continue reading Review: And Then There Were None – a creative take on a classic play
Erin Harrington reviews The Wolves, by Sarah DeLappe, directed by Lizzie Tollemache, and Alone It Stands, by John Breen, directed by David Ladderman, presented by the Court Theatre Youth Company in the Wakefield Family Front Room, The Court Theatre, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 August 2026. One of the great pleasures of watching youth theatre… Continue reading Review: The Wolves and Alone It Stands – creative teamwork makes for impressive youth performances
Jordon Jones reviews SwapRox, presented by PopRox Improv, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 20 August 2026. If you've ever thought that improv comedy just isn't chaotic enough these days, have I got a show for you! SwapRox is an acknowledgement that attention spans are shrinking, and has been specially designed to shake things up just as… Continue reading Review: SwapRox – chaotic improv with miscreant energy for those with short attention spans
Charlotte Thornton reviews Redemption, presented by Ginge and Minge at Little Andromeda, Thursday 20 August 2026. Behind every great idea are a dozen bad ones. Discarding these bad ideas, known as ‘killing your darlings,’ is a painful but important part of the artistic process. They get locked away in the Notes app alongside half-finished to-do… Continue reading Review: Redemption – bad ideas turned chaotic good
Erin Harrington reviews CSO & Rova Present: The Music of Hans Zimmer, conducted by Benjamin Northey, at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, the Christchurch Town Hall, Friday 14 August 2026. Hans Zimmer is perhaps the most distinctive, inventive and celebrated film composer of the last few decades. His work combines intellectual rigour, emotional depth and creative… Continue reading Review: The Music of Hans Zimmer – orchestral power meets cinematic immediacy (with dad jokes thrown in for free)
Daniel Allan reviews Faust on Trial, by Josiah Morgan, Stella Cheersmith and Jonty Coulson, at Cloisters Studio, Te Matatiki Toi Ora Christchurch Arts Centre, Saturday 15 August 2026. Faust on Trial was initially developed as part of Hagley Theatre School’s theatre creation course last year - see the review of that iteration here. Word of… Continue reading Review: Faust on Trial – a restaged cage match offers thought-provoking indie theatre (and no winners)
Pieta Hextall reviews Lawrence Arabia and CSO, conducted by Sarah-Grace Williams, orchestrated by Alex van den Broek, at the Douglas Lilburn Auditorium, Christchurch Town Hall, Saturday 8 August 2026. As a devotee of both classical orchestras and indie music, Saturday’s performance by the Christchurch Symphony Orchestra (CSO) alongside Lawrence Arabia offered a perfect fusion of… Continue reading Review: Lawrence Arabia and CSO – a perfect fusion of indie and orchestral worlds
Charlotte Thornton reviews Judy's Encore - The Return of a Star, performed by Ali Harper, produced by Ben McDonald, at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 11 August 2026. Let’s follow the lead of Judy’s Encore and begin at the end. The show concludes with a voiceover calling Judy Garland “the eternal star” – this is actually… Continue reading Review: Judy’s Encore – The Return of a Star – a star is reborn in this well-made tribute
Charlotte Thornton reviews Defending the Caveman, written by Rob Becker, directed by Ross McKellar, produced by Ben McDonald and Theater Mogul, at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 11 August 2026. Defending the Caveman is the longest-running solo play in Broadway history. It was written by American comedian Rob Becker in the era of Men Are From… Continue reading Review: Defending the Caveman – a charming performance of a dated show
Ruth Agnew reviews The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, directed by Kathleen Burns, produced by TheatreWise, at the Papa Hou Black Box Theatre, Thursday 6 August 2026. Full disclosure: I am a freak for words. If you want to get on my good side, a decent game of Scrabble makes me weak at the… Continue reading Review: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – an absolutely outstanding production
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