Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road, written and directed by Gregory Cooper, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 18 May, 2024. In writer-director Gregory Cooper’s energetic new comedy Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road it’s backstage on the opening night of a high stakes national tour of the Scottish… Continue reading Review: Mr and Mrs Macbeth of Heathcote Valley Road – an uneven backstage comedy about on and offstage disaster
Naomi van den Broek reviews H.R. The Musical, presented by Artsense Productions, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 16 May, 2024. When your job is mostly “email” with a dash of “meeting”, a show entitled H.R. The Musical feels like it should be a total home run. My colleague and I, hearts open, senses of humour on… Continue reading Review: H.R. the Musical – a promising new hire in need of some professional development
Ruth Agnew reviews Fairystories, presented by Enchanting Productions at The Piano: Centre for Music and the Arts, Wednesday 10 April, 2024. Enchanting Productions has delighted audiences with prior performances including their successful company debut of Secret Garden and the impressive season of the challenging Sondheim classic, A Little Night Music. Their latest offering again boasts… Continue reading Review: Fairystories – a new musical in need of more magic
Erin Harrington reviews Class Act, written and directed by Andrew Todd, at Little Andromeda, Wednesday 17 April 2024. Andrew Todd’s satisfying new black comedy Class Act might be better titled Corporate Comedy Confidential. 'Class Act', aka performers Ruby and Vincent and fresh-faced unpaid intern Caitlyn, are here to expose the inner workings of corporate comedy… Continue reading Review: Class Act – a bleak trip into the wilderness of corporate entertainment
Erin Harrington reviews Helios, created by Wright&Grainger, and 0resented in New Zealand by A Mulled Whine Productions, at Little Andromeda, Friday 12 April 2024. Helios is the latest in a series of award-winning multidisciplinary adaptations of Greek myths from UK-based production company Wright&Grainger. Performed solo by master storyteller Alexander Wright, but with help from the… Continue reading Review: Helios – masterful storytelling about following the light
Erin Harrington reviews Me and my Nana, directed by Melanie Luckman, at the Cloisters Studio at The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora, Thursday 11 April 2024. Cubbin Theatre Company has spent the last six years developing thoughtful, well-designed performance works for that most under-served yet discerning of audiences: the very young. Me and My… Continue reading Review: Me and my Nana – an adorable story about very special relationship
Erin Harrington reviews Every Brilliant Thing, written by Duncan Macmillan with Jonny Donahoe, directed by Hillary Moulder, at the Court Theatre, Friday 6 April 2024. A content note to start: is it okay to call an interactive play about depression and suicide joyful? UK playwright Duncan Macmillan’s Every Brilliant Thing is a river of concentrated… Continue reading Review: Every Brilliant Thing – an intense collective experience about hope and imagination
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
Erin Harrington reviews Icky, written by Viki Moananu and directed by Lizzy Burton-Wood as Oh That Theatre Company!, staged at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 March 2024. For much of the big-hearted dramedy Icky, its titular character (Viki Moananu) circles literally and figurately around a freestanding, empty wooden door frame that dominates the centre of the… Continue reading Review: Icky – throwing shade, trauma-dumping, and the joys of tartare sauce
Sophie Ricketts reviews False Idol, written and performed by Andy Manning, directed by Melanie Luckman, and produced by Ben Freeth, at Little Andromea, Friday 1 March 2024. The theatre was dark, and from the shadows emerged a cloaked figure who began to play powerchords on the centre-stage keyboard. Dramatic lighting and gospel-esque sounds signalled to… Continue reading Review: False Idol – all types of fabulous
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