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
Erin Harrington talks with Ōtautahi-based theatremaker Will Burns about the history and development of three upcoming solo shows, each back for a return season in the next three weeks. Shit Finds Love is a chaotic, prop heavy show in which a silent character explores the world of dating and relationships with the help of the… Continue reading Interview: Will Burns on theatremaking, quirky characters, and devising creative chaos
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
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
Erin Harrington reviews Selene, written and created by Alexander Wright and Phil Clive Grainger for Wright&Grainger, made with and told by Megan Drury, in association Theatre@41 Monkgate, with tour assistance from A Mulled Whine Productions, at Little Andromeda, Tuesday 24 March 2026. There are different ways to have a moving and intense theatrical encounter. Sometimes… Continue reading Review: Selene – intense, intimate storytelling balancing darkness and light
Roving FCFN reporter John Armstrong heads south and reflects on some highlights from the Dunedin Fringe Festival, which ran from 12 - 22 March 2026. Dunedin Fringe has sadly come to an end. Yesterday marked the end of an incredible eleven days of stand-up, theatre, sketch comedy and live music, with morethan ninety shows all… Continue reading Wrap up: Dunedin Fringe is a chaotic and ambitious festival with incredible DIY energy
Charlotte Thornton reviews Motion Sickness, presented by a2 Company, at Little Andromeda, Friday 20 March 2026. Aussie-New Zealand production house a2 Company can’t help but blow us away. When I reviewed their multi-award-winning Running Into the Sun for Bad Apple back in September, I said that show had “an apocalyptic vibe because the world has… Continue reading Review: Motion Sickness – the nightclub at the end of the world
Erin Harrington reviews Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen, written by Marcelo Dos Santos, directed by Tim Bain, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 14 March 2026. The one-man show Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen is a one act black comedy framed as a stand-up set that’s… Continue reading Review: Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen – self-loathing, vulnerability, and debasement, but for laughs
Charlotte Thornton reviews The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 8 March 2026. The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show is the rowdiest entry in the Court Theatre’s 2026 Rainbow Festival calendar. In an interview with Flat City Field Notes back in February, Festival organiser Tim Bain said the 2026… Continue reading Review: The Gigantic Gay Late Night Game Show – a winning format with a winning audience
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