Arts and culture in Ōtautahi Christchurch
Ruth Agnew reviews Six Characters in Search of an Author, written by Luigi Pirandello, directed by Jeremy Hinman, performed by the Court Theatre Youth Company at the Court Theatre, Tuesday 2 September 2025. "A character, sir, may always ask a man who he is. Because a character has really a life of his own, marked… Continue reading Review: Six Characters in Search of an Author – an absurdist showcase of impressive skills, talent and stagecraft
Sophie Ricketts reviews Chicago, book by Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse, music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, produced by Ben McDonald, directed by Michael Hurst, choreography by Shona McCullagh, musical direction by Paul Barrett, at the Isaac Theatre Royal, Sunday 17 August 2025. It was awesome to see the Isaac Theatre Royal full… Continue reading Review: Chicago – an enthralling, razor-sharp production of an enduring classic
Erin Harrington reviews Twelfth Night, by William Shakespeare, directed by Alison Walls, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 9 August 2025. The Court Theatre’s production of the evergreen romantic comedy Twelfth Night brings the audience into a dreamy ‘elsewhere’ in which mistaken identity, unrequited love and comic nonsense get all muddled up. A young noblewoman Viola… Continue reading Review: Twelfth Night – strong characterisation and comic action anchor a hazy production
Erin Harrington reviews The Ballad of Briar Grant, written by Jack McGee, directed by Lia Kelly, presented by Squash Co Arts Collection, at Little Andromeda, Wednesday 6 August 2025. In Jack McGee’s new play The Ballad of Briar Grant, Hayley (Phoebe Caldeiro) finds herself working in an apple orchard in the south of France after… Continue reading Review: The Ballad of Briar Grant – how do you like them apples?
Lisa Allan reviews Rubber Gloves: The Glad Rags Story, written by Jennifer Currie, at Little Andromeda, Friday 18 July, 2025. The stage at Little Andromeda in Ōtautahi Christchurch is awash with colour in the form of costumes and props and it is not long before the house lights dim and the two-strong cast of Rubber Gloves: The Glad… Continue reading Review: Rubber Gloves – the Glad Rags Story – bold and silly playfulness from the best cleaners around
Ruth Agnew reviews Kōpū, written by Tuakoi Ohia, directed by Amber Curreen with musical direction from John Gibson, produced by Te Rehia Theatre and staged at the Court Theatre, Thursday 17 July 2025. Unpeg yourself from the patriarchy! Kōpū begins with the instruction to “leave your white feminism at the door”, and with that baggage… Continue reading Review: Kōpū – a fierce, impressive celebration of femininity
Erin Harrington reviews The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition, based on the series by Stephen Hillenburg, book by Kyle Jarrow, directed by Tim Bain, with musical direction by Caelen Thomas and choreography by Hillary Moulder, at the Court Theatre, Wednesday 2 July, 2025. The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition is the Court Theatre’s first school holiday production… Continue reading Review: The SpongeBob Musical: Youth Edition – a delightfully unhinged glitter bomb
Lisa Allan reviews The Meeting, by Lola Houghton and Pedro Ilgenfritz, and E Ipo, My Love, by Gisele Proud and Tane Te Pakeke-Patterson, presented together as the inaugural Winter Season, a double bill of new theatre works from the Hagley Theatre School Six-Month Theatre Creation Course, at the Gloucester Room, the Issac Theatre Royal, Friday… Continue reading Review: Winter Season (The Meeting / E Ipo, My Love) – vibrant and relevant new theatre works
Erin Harrington reviews End of Summer Time, written by Sir Roger Hall, directed by Dan Bain, and starring Ross Gumbley, at the Court Theatre, Saturday 21 June 2025. Sir Roger Hall’s latest play End of Summer Time revisits curmudgeon Richard ‘Dickie’ Hart, an ex-cow cockie who finds himself, deep into retirement, living with his wife… Continue reading Review: End of Summer Time – melancholy, funny, and compassionate
Lisa Allan reviews PopRox Improv, at Little Andromeda, Saturday 14 June, 2025. It is Saturday night and the foyer at Little Andromeda is packed with punters who have come out in force to see the Wellington improv comedy troupe, PopRox, perform. It is not surprising to see a cohort from Christchurch’s own professional improv troupe,… Continue reading Review: PopRox Improv – a generous, playful and positive force
Flat City Field Notes 