Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Erin Harrington reviews Friends to the End, created and performed by Wiremu Tuhiwai and Brendon Bennetts with Criss Grueber, at Little Andromeda, Friday 12 June 2026. The award-winning improvised theatre show Friends to the End feels like it needs a graphic novel rather than a written review. There’d be a lot of pow and thwop… Continue reading Review: Friends to the End – not even the apocalypse can bust up this delightful bromance
Jordon Jones reviews Face/Off: Comedy vs. Poetry presented by Dave Adams and Jor Dansaren, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 6 June 2026. You might think that the question "who is funnier: comedians or poets?" would be fairly self-explanatory. But, then, you probably don't know enough poets. It's certainly a question that has inspired comedian Dave Adams… Continue reading Review: Face/Off: Comedy vs Poetry – quick wit and wordplay make for a quality grudge match
Erin Harrington reviews Babyface, written and performed by Nick Tipa, directed by Sara Georgie, with music and sound design by Zac Nicholls, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 4 June 2026. Kahu’s a Māori kid in a small rural town that can’t tap its ‘r’s. Professional wrestler Whiplash is the undisputed heavyweight champion of the world with… Continue reading Review: Babyface – a total suplex to the heart
Erin Harrington reviews Let the Right One In, adapted by Jack Thorne from the novel by John Ajvide Lindqvist, directed by Dan Bain, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 23 May 2026. The coming-of-age horror drama Let the Right One In is a real departure from the Court Theare’s usual programming. The play is based on… Continue reading Review: Let the Right One In – an ambitious gothic coming-of-age story that challenges the audience
Erin Harrington reviews The First Annual Parnell Croquet Club Facebook Live Telethon, created and performed by William Burns (and friends), at Little Andromeda, Friday 22 May 2026. The Parnell Croquet Club is in danger of folding, and community stalwart Pat Stevens (Will Burns) is here with her zip up vest, sensible shoes and tenuous wi-fi… Continue reading Review: The First Annual Parnell Croquet Club Facebook Live Telethon – so good (so good, so good)
Ruth Agnew reviews Animal Farm, presented by Canterbury Repertory Theatre, adapted for the stage by Tatty Hennessy from the novella by George Orwell, directed by Dimitri Gibara, at the Elmwood Auditorium, Wednesday 20 May 2026. What better way to escape the rising tide of corruption in a sea of political power play flooding the world… Continue reading Review: Animal Farm – strong barnyard performances brighten an ambitious production
Charlotte Thornton reviews Heathers: The Musical, produced by GMG productions, music, book and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O'Keefe, directed by Andy Fickman, choreographed by Gary Lloyd, with musical direction from Martine Wengrow, at the James Hay Theatre, Friday 15 May 2026. Heathers is Mean Girls with murder. High school outcast Veronica Sawyer abandons… Continue reading Review: Heathers: The Musical – a powerhouse production that’s the most fun you can have with a toxic ex
Erin Harrington reviews Nosferatu Looking for Love, created and performed by Rhiannon McCall, directed by Abby Howells, at Little Andromeda, Thursday 14 May 2026. Nosferatu is back from the dead (again). Count Orlok, better known colloquially as Nosferatu, is the vampiric star of the 1922 German expressionist film of the same name, and more besides.… Continue reading Review: Nosferatu Looking for Love – a chaotic and heartfelt hour of comic-gothic comedy
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
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