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Neil Brewer

Neil Brewer

I am a Wellingtonian born and bred and have been involved in theatre for the last 30 years, mostly on stage, but have done some technical and backstage roles.  I come from a musical background with both my mother and sister being members of Cantoris choir here in Wellington for many years.  My father was also well known in the live music community, playing double bass in the Simon Peele Orchestra, so you can see music has always played a big part of my life. 

I was responsible for setting up a Wellington Community Theatre page which has now been running for seven years and has close to 1700 members. It is used for sharing audition and show notices and when groups are looking for show props etc.

This year I started to write reviews and posting them on the page as I felt there was a gap in community theatre, where most shows now do not get any form of recognition. This has led me to now doing reviews for Broadwayworld, which I am excited to be a part of.




LEARN MORE ABOUT Neil Brewer

First Show:

Iolanthe

Favorite Show:

Come from away

Favorite Stories:



MOST POPULAR ARTICLES

Review: & JULIET by G&T PRODUCTIONS at The Civic
Review: & JULIET by G&T PRODUCTIONS at The Civic
April 10, 2026

& Juliet is a jukebox musical that premiered in Manchester in 2019 before opening in London’s West End later that year. Created by writer David West Read, with a score made up of pop hits by Max Martin, it reimagines Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet through a modern, feminist lens. The show later transferred to Broadway in 2022.

Review: RIDE THE CYCLONE BY WITCH Music Theatre at Circa Theatre. Reviewed by Lottie Butcher
Review: RIDE THE CYCLONE BY WITCH Music Theatre at Circa Theatre. Reviewed by Lottie Butcher
April 11, 2026

What did our critic think of RIDE THE CYCLONE BY WITCH MUSIC THEATRE at Circa Theatre?

Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Kauri Theatre
Review: CATCH ME IF YOU CAN by Kauri Theatre
April 8, 2026

Catch Me If You Can is a stage musical based on the real-life story of master con artist Frank Abagnale Jr. With a book by Terrence McNally and music and lyrics by Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the show premiered in 2009 before opening on Broadway in 2011, earning multiple Tony Award nominations. It is celebrated for its slick storytelling and its infectious, 1960s-inspired score.

Review: CHICAGO by Porirua Little Theatre
Review: CHICAGO by Porirua Little Theatre
April 7, 2026

Chicago is a musical with music by John Kander, lyrics by Fred Ebb, and a book by Ebb and Bob Fosse. It premiered on Broadway in 1975, inspired by real-life 1920s murder cases reported by journalist Maurine Dallas Watkins. Initially overshadowed by A Chorus Line, the show achieved iconic status following its 1996 Broadway revival, which went on to become one of the longest‑running productions in Broadway history.

Review: RICHARD O'BRIEN'S ROCKY HORROR SHOW at St James Theatre
Review: RICHARD O'BRIEN'S ROCKY HORROR SHOW at St James Theatre
March 19, 2026

Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show premiered in London in 1973, born from his love of sci‑fi B‑movies and glam rock, and quickly grew into a cult theatrical hit celebrated for its wild, subversive energy.

Review: GASPING BY BEN ELTON at Wellington Repertory
Review: GASPING BY BEN ELTON at Wellington Repertory
March 18, 2026

First performed in 1990, Gasping is Ben Elton’s debut stage play, a sharp, satirical comedy that takes gleeful aim at corporate excess. It quickly became a hit thanks to its exaggerated, almost cartoon‑like depiction of the high‑powered world of big business.

Review: THIRTY-SIX at Circa Theatre
Review: THIRTY-SIX at Circa Theatre
March 7, 2026

Bold, often raunchy, frequently funny, and unexpectedly tender

Review: FRANK. THE MUSICAL at Gryphon Theatre
Review: FRANK. THE MUSICAL at Gryphon Theatre
February 28, 2026

What did our critic think of FRANK. THE MUSICAL at Gryphon Theatre?

KING LEAR by Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe
KING LEAR by Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe
February 22, 2026

What did our critic think of KING LEAR at Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe?

Review: THE BOOK OF WILL at Gryphon Theatre
Review: THE BOOK OF WILL at Gryphon Theatre
February 4, 2026

The Book of Will is a contemporary play by American playwright Lauren Gunderson, first premiering in January 2017 at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts. It went on to win the 2018 Harold and Mimi Steinberg / American Theatre Critics Association New Play Award, recognising it as one of the most significant new American plays of its year.

Feature: SPOTLIGHT AWARDS for the Wellington Region
Feature: SPOTLIGHT AWARDS for the Wellington Region
December 12, 2025

As I’ve now been reviewing for BroadwayWorld for two years, I thought it would be fun to share my take on the best of everything I’ve seen over the past year. Some categories are split between community and professional theatre where it felt necessary; others stand alone.

Review: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE BY AGATHA CHRISTIE at Hutt Repertory
Review: AND THEN THERE WERE NONE BY AGATHA CHRISTIE at Hutt Repertory
November 28, 2025

Agatha Christie’s stage adaptation of her classic novel, which premiered in London on September 20, 1943, was an instant success and later moved to Broadway under the title Ten Little Indians in June 1944.

Review: SUPERIOR DONUTS BY TRACY LETTS at Stagecraft Theatre
Review: SUPERIOR DONUTS BY TRACY LETTS at Stagecraft Theatre
November 28, 2025

Superior Donuts, written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts (best known for August: Osage County), is a sharp, heartfelt comedy-drama that premiered in Chicago in 2008 before moving to Broadway in 2009.

Review: NOT CHRISTMAS, BUT GUY FAWKES BY BRUCE MASON at Circa Theatre
Review: NOT CHRISTMAS, BUT GUY FAWKES BY BRUCE MASON at Circa Theatre
November 22, 2025

What did our critic think of NOT CHRISTMAS, BUT GUY FAWKES BY BRUCE MASON at Circa Theatre?

Review: THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER at Circa Theatre
Review: THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER at Circa Theatre
November 20, 2025

As summer approaches and Christmas draws near, what better time to celebrate a truly iconic New Zealand work: The End of the Golden Weather.

Review: AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL BY WITCH MUSIC THEATRE at The Hannah
Review: AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL BY WITCH MUSIC THEATRE at The Hannah
November 15, 2025

What did our critic think of AMÉLIE THE MUSICAL BY WITCH MUSIC THEATRE at The Hannah?

Review: ROBIN HOOD - THE PANTOMIME at Circa Theatre
Review: ROBIN HOOD - THE PANTOMIME at Circa Theatre
November 14, 2025

Circa Theatre continues its proud tradition of summer pantomimes, blending classic British festive fun with a distinctly Kiwi sense of humor.

Review: CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL at Up Stage Theatre
Review: CALENDAR GIRLS THE MUSICAL at Up Stage Theatre
November 5, 2025

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Review: LIAM COOPERS KING OF THE KEYS at State Opera House
Review: LIAM COOPERS KING OF THE KEYS at State Opera House
October 30, 2025

Liam Cooper, affectionately known as the “King of Keys,” is an Australian piano man and entertainer who has crafted a dynamic live concert experience celebrating the music of legendary keyboard artists. His show pays tribute to icons like Elton John, Billy Joel, Peter Allen, Stevie Wonder, Freddie Mercury, and many more, blending faithful musical renditions with engaging storytelling.



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