Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Sophie Gray reviews Les Misérables, presented by North Canterbury Musicals, directed by Tom Hart, with musical direction from Gavin Hurley, at the Rangiora Town Hall, Thursday 7 May 2026. Les Misérables is a show that is so incredibly well-known and beloved, it is hard not to arrive with expectations in place. Luckily, my expectations were… Continue reading Review: Les Misérables – an electrifying production of a beloved show
Jordon Jones reviews Death at Murder Manor, directed by Brendon Bennetts, at the Court Theatre, presented as part of the NZ International Comedy Festival, Thursday 7 May 2026. The audience falls into a hush as the lights dim. The entrance music—a series of songs one might find in Noël Coward's personal record collection—fades out. There… Continue reading Review: Death at Murder Manor – clever improvised theatre that’s dead funny
Charlotte Thornton reviews the 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala, presented by the NZ International Comedy Festival, at the Christchurch Town Hall, Sunday 3 May 2026. North Island envy is real. The New Zealand International Comedy Festival, sponsored by mayonnaise giant Best Foods, takes place in Pōneke Wellington and Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland every autumn. Down in… Continue reading Review: The 2026 Best Foods Comedy Gala – Christchurch finally gets a terrific spread (and some comedians)
Juanita Hepi reflects on Wahine Mātātoa: The (Mostly) True Story of Erihāpeti Pātahi, written by Cindy Diver, directed by Kim Garrett, with musical direction by Ariana Tikao, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 18 April 2026. Six weeks ago, my sister, Jeni Leigh Walker passed away. She was 48. Three weeks later, the writer of this… Continue reading Review: Wahine Mātātoa: The (Mostly) True Story of Erihāpeti Pātahi – we see ourselves, properly
Ruth Agnew reviews Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, presented by Showbiz Christchurch, directed by Stephen Robertson, musical direction by Richard Marrett, based on the novel by Roald Dahl, with book by David Greig, music by Marc Shaiman and lyrics by Shaiman and Scott Wittman, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Thursday 23 April 2026. Charlie and… Continue reading Review: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – wonderfully sweet performances in a sometimes bitter musical
Nick Harte reviews Lumen Ensemble: Colours of Time, with works by Holly Harrison, Maurice Ravel and Olivier Messiaen presented by Christopher's Classics at The Piano / Pīpīwharauroa: Kui-kui whitiwhiti ora, Friday 17 April 2026. The Lumen Ensemble’s clarinetist Lloyd Van’t Hoff proudly proclaimed that his favourite thing about Christchurch is PAK’nSAVE, which was not the… Continue reading Review: Lumen Ensemble’s Colours of Time – luminescence and catastrophe make for a revelatory combination
Ruth Agnew reviews The Addams Family, book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, backed on characters created by Charles Addams, directed by Claire Clark and Phil Deadn, musical direction by Caelan Thomas, choreography by Catherine McHaffie, at CentreStage Rolleston, Wednesday 15 April 2026. CentreStage Rolleston has wholly embraced The… Continue reading Review: The Addams Family – ghoulishly good community theatre
Erin Harrrington reviews Skate or Die, written by Millie Hanford, directed by Grace von Huben, produced by Pretty Little Sweethearts, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 16 April 2026. One of the funniest things I have ever overheard happened about twenty years ago, while I was having a lunchtime cigarette (regrets) at the Hack Circle in Cashel… Continue reading Review: Skate or Die – a hilarious new comedy about thrashing the patriarchy, one trick at a time
Breeze Robertson reviews Macbeth, presented by the Royal New Zealand Ballet, choreographed by Alice Topp, with music by Christopher Gordon, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Wednesday 18 March 2026. Bravo RNZB, Macbeth the contemporary ballet was a courageous concept, brilliantly executed. With social media influencers instead of witches, boardroom politics instead of royal intrigues, and… Continue reading Review: Macbeth – courageous, contemporary, and the future of ballet
Charlotte Thornton reviews Volcano: A Science Comedy Show, performed by Ben Miller, at Little Andromeda, Friday 27 March 2026. For most of us, science lessons end in adolescence. We get through the rest of our years with a few periodic table elements memorised, a bit of practical knowledge about the weather, and a firm opinion… Continue reading Review: Volcano: A Science Comedy Show – eruptions of laughter (and other such jokes)
Flat City Field Notes 