Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
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
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)
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
Charlotte Thornton reviews Folk Tales, presented by Rollicking Entertainment for the Lyttelton Arts Festival, at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, Sunday 19 July 2026. Let’s talk about the apocalypse. It’s hard to say if we’re properly in it now, or still dodging it Matrix-style, but this year has seen a distinct mood shift. Blues and folk… Continue reading Review: Folk Tales – a much-needed cuddle in dark times
Ruth Agnew reviews At the Wake, by Victor Rodger, directed by Tanya Muagututi'a, at the Court Theatre, Satrday 18 July 2026. Recently a friend told me we have reached the age of funerals; we have moved through the era of every weekend being crammed with 21st parties, weddings, christenings, and reached a time in our… Continue reading Review: At the Wake – A poignant account of love, loss and connection
Charlotte Thornton reviews Pierre & Randy’s Gameshow Roulette, presented at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Satuday 18 July 2026. Back in March, I reviewed The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show at The Court Theatre during its Rainbow Festival. It featured Dan Pengelly as sassy, French-accented compére Pierre, Criss Grueber… Continue reading Review: Pierre & Randy’s Gameshow Roulette – a great show lost in its crowd
Jordon Jones reviews Great Comic Writing, presented by Joe Bennett as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, Sunday 12 July 2026.A week ago, I went to Lyttelton Arts Factory to hear Joe Bennett in discussion about Shakespeare's Greatest Comedy. This last weekend, both of us returned to the same place… Continue reading Review: Great Comic Writing – an incisive, insightful masterclass in wit and wordplay
Erin Harrington reviews the Feminist Clown Posse Annual Gala, at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Tuesday 7 July, 2026. The joyful takeaway message from the third annual Feminist Clown Posse gala is hooray for the idiots, and hooray for idiocy - idiocy for freedom, idiocy sprung of anger, idiocy in… Continue reading Review: Feminist Clown Posse Annual Gala – changing the world one fail at a time
Jordon Jones reviews Shakespeare's Greatest Comedy, by Joe Bennett, presented at Lyttelton Arts Factory as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Sunday 5 July 2026. Thanks to the Lyttelton Arts Festival, which kicked off last week, I had the pleasure of going along to see local legend Joe Bennett discuss the Bard in Shakespeare's Greatest… Continue reading Review: Shakespeare’s Greatest Comedy – wit, energy, and infectious enthusiasm
Karen Healey reviews Hooves & Chooks, a double bill at the Lyttelton Arts Factory, presented as part of the Lyttelton Arts Festival, Friday 3 July 2026. This joyous double-bill night of comedy dance and cabaret, opens the 2026 Lyttelton Arts Festival on a cold Canterbury night. Hooves, from Rebound Dance, led by Fleur de Thier,… Continue reading Review: Hooves & Chooks – smart comedy by clever people
Flat City Field Notes 