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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: PIP at Wellington Repertory
Review: PIP at Wellington Repertory
November 28, 2024

An ambitious undertaking turning a well loved novel into a musical

Review: COSI at Hutt Repertory
Review: COSI at Hutt Repertory
November 25, 2024

Cosi is a play by Australian playwright Louis Nowra, first performed in 1992 at the Belvoir St Theatre in Sydney. The play is set in a Melbourne mental institution in 1971 and is semi-autobiographical, serving as a sequel to Nowra's earlier work 'Summer of the Aliens'.

Review: SLEEPING BEAUTY: THE PANTOMIME at Circa Theatre
Review: SLEEPING BEAUTY: THE PANTOMIME at Circa Theatre
November 15, 2024

What did our critic think of SLEEPING BEAUTY:THE PANTOMIME at Circa Theatre?

Review: NICK DEAR'S FRANKENSTEIN at Coasters Musical Theatre
Review: NICK DEAR'S FRANKENSTEIN at Coasters Musical Theatre
November 7, 2024

The play is notable for it's unique perspective, telling the story from the creatures point of view rather than Victor Frankenstein's. The shift allows the audience to experience the Creatures journey and struggles firsthand. The plot follows the Creature as he navigates a hostile world, seeking acceptance and understanding, only to be met with cruelty and rejection.

Review: THE TEMPESTUOUS at Circa Theatre
Review: THE TEMPESTUOUS at Circa Theatre
November 6, 2024

What did our critic think of THE TEMPESTUOUS at Circa Theatre?

Review: PRIMA FACIE by Kavanah Productions and BRAVE theatre
Review: PRIMA FACIE by Kavanah Productions and BRAVE theatre
September 10, 2024

It was famously performed at the West End in 2022, with the title role being played by Jodie Comer (Killing Eve,) where it was recorded for NT Live and shown in theatres around the world. The production then transferred to Broadway in Spring of 2023, earning Jodie the Tony Award for Best Actress in a play.

Review: MAMMA MIA! at Civic Theatre, Invercargill
Review: MAMMA MIA! at Civic Theatre, Invercargill
July 16, 2024

Mamma Mia! is a jukebox musical featuring the timeless songs of the legendary Swedish pop group ABBA. It is set on a picturesque Greek island and tells the story of a young bride-to-be, her mother and three possible fathers.

Review: HANDBAGGED by Stagecraft
Review: HANDBAGGED by Stagecraft
July 9, 2024

An outstanding play performed by an outstanding cast

Review: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at Circa Theatre
Review: SENSE AND SENSIBILITY at Circa Theatre
July 9, 2024

“Sense and Sensibility” is a classic novel by Jane Austen, published anonymously in three volumes in 1811. It offers a vivid depiction of 19th-century middle-class life in England, following the romantic relationships of Elinor and Marianne Dashwood.

Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Court Theatre
Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN! at Court Theatre
July 8, 2024

Something Rotten! premiered on Broadway in 2015 and was nominated for ten Tony Awards. It is the story of the Bottom brothers, Nick and Nigel, who strive for success in the theatrical world as they compete with their incredibly popular competitor, one William Shakespeare. Desperate to out-Bard the Bard, Nick consults a soothsayer and learns that the next big thing in theatre will be a MUSICAL—a play where 'an actor is saying his lines, and out of nowhere he just starts singing.'

Review: THE OTHER SIDE at Kaha Theatre
Review: THE OTHER SIDE at Kaha Theatre
July 9, 2024

The Other Side is Kaha's third production, following Sunset Boulevard and Pride and Prejudice. While the two previous shows are well known, Pride and Prejudice was changed up for audiences with inclusion of Carpenters songs to the play. An interesting idea which I sadly did not get to see.

Review: WHEN HARRIET MET SALLY by New Players Theatre Company
Review: WHEN HARRIET MET SALLY by New Players Theatre Company
June 24, 2024

When Harriet met Sally by Cherol Filbee is a short one act play that centres on two main characters, Sally a florist who is about to go on a short holiday with her new man and Harriet, his wife.

Review: HEARTBREAK HOTEL at Bats Theatre
Review: HEARTBREAK HOTEL at Bats Theatre
June 20, 2024

Heartbreak Hotel is the latest offering by EBKM, Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken who have worked together since 2017 and have written a number of plays, notably Jane Doe and Body Double, both award winning productions.

Review: THE PROM at Up-Stage Theatre, 26A Moonshine Rd, Upper Hutt
Review: THE PROM at Up-Stage Theatre, 26A Moonshine Rd, Upper Hutt
June 24, 2024

The Prom is a musical with music by Matthew Sklar, lyrics by Chad Beguelin and a book by Bob Martin and Beguelin. The story follows four Broadway actors who travel to the conservative town of Edgewater, Indiana, to help a lesbian student who has been banned from bringing her girlfriend to the high school prom.

Review: IT COULD BE ANY ONE OF US by Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe at Muritai School
Review: IT COULD BE ANY ONE OF US by Butterfly Creek Theatre Troupe at Muritai School
June 13, 2024

A great script and dependable cast make this show well worth seeing

Interview: Jane Keller of LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING at Circa Theatre
Interview: Jane Keller of LEAVE 'EM LAUGHING at Circa Theatre
June 10, 2024

Today I spent an enjoyable couple of hours talking to one of Wellingtons most recognised music teachers, Jane Keller. She is well known in the region as not only an excellent vocal coach, but extending that skill by helping with character development and performance.

Review: MISCAST at Mana Little Theatre
Review: MISCAST at Mana Little Theatre
May 24, 2024

Flawed but ultimately enjoyable concept

Review: PERSUASION at Gryphon Theatre
Review: PERSUASION at Gryphon Theatre
May 11, 2024

A collaboration that has led to a highly successful and entertaining production

Review: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 from WITCH Music Theatre
Review: NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 from WITCH Music Theatre
April 21, 2024

What did our critic think of NATASHA, PIERRE AND THE GREAT COMET OF 1812 from Witch Music Theatre?

Review: THE GOLDEN ASS at Circa Theatre
Review: THE GOLDEN ASS at Circa Theatre
April 19, 2024

The Golden Ass is the only ancient Roman novel in Latin to survive in it's entirety. In this production, it is given some modern flavour whilst still maintaining the settings and heart of the story.



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