NEW ZEALAND THEATER REVIEWS

A packed and appreciative house of pre-schoolers and primary school-aged children along with parents and grandparents, enjoyed the opening performance of The Aristocats on Monday, April 15 by 'Team A'....

A beautiful and moving story that connects with history and the people...

As soon as you step into the gloomily lit theatre, the 'once upon a time' mystery of the fairy tale woods immediately enchants you. The blue gloomily lit scenery of the woods is so beautifully painted that it's as if you are really there. You are drawn into the story even before it unfolds. The 'mag...

At the opening performance of 'The Man Whose Mother was a Pirate' on Saturday afternoon it was not just children being richly entertained , but all attending who were young at heart thoroughly enjoyed a slick 50-minute musical play....

A full house on the Wednesday after opening night is always a good sign that the grape vine is sp Pukekohe Performing Arts production of 'Chicago' serves up a glitzy night of high energy entertainment....

I've never felt quite so transported into the realities of a convent or the freshness of a mountain or the sadness of a man who has lost his wife and is too aggrieved to notice his children. This is quite discombobulating (in the best possible way) considering I've grown up with the movie, appeared ...

Written by Albert Belz, 'Astroman' captures a kiwi slice of life from the '80's; a heartfelt and energetic piece highlighted with humour, struggle and plenty of 'ah-ha', 'ha-ha' and 'awww' moments in all the right places....

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This performance not only circumnavigated around my heart several times but captured it in a willing surrender of raw emotional energy. I have never seen or experienced anything quite like it. The raw, basal emotion that was produced from the carefully crafted vocal sounds was simply incredible; dy...

It's those feelings and desires to which we can all connect. Shakespeare knew this well - and the direction of this play presented a range of skilled and moving performances that had groundlings in front of me, and the audience seated in the bays of the lower gallery beside me, entirely captivated. ...

Pete Coates masterfully portrays all 20 characters in Giles Burton's adaptation of G K Chesterton's 1908 spy thriller 'The Man who was Thursday'....

How apt being here just after the celebrations of International Women's Day! All feminists need to see this and those who are not, also need to see this. It is bawdy so leave the under 16's at home. Although billed a comedy ( and it is certainly very funny), there is a great commentary about how wo...

North Shore Music Theatre's 'The Last 5 Years' is a heartbreaking, emotional roller coaster from the first glorious note to the last. It's compelling and you simply do not want to miss this!...

Neil Simon's 'California Suite,' a 1970's series of stories set in a fictitious Beverly Hills Hotel Room gives us a snapshot of relationships and the human condition within 4 different scenarios. Sometimes funny, sometimes poignant each piece is engaging revealing a deeper more significant insight o...

Leading ladies Megan O'Reilly playing Dorothy Brock and Geena Hutton as Peggy Sawyer are both powerhouses of talent. O'Reilly certainly channels her inner diva, stepping into the role like a hand in a glove. She plays up her 'past her use by date' persona until she sings and dances revealing tale...

While this is a light-hearted frolic through a well-crafted piece, there is irony in each of the characters and levels of social commentary particularly around the issue of euthanasia. Social status, acceptability and credibility are all well represented....

A thoroughly entertaining evening for anyone wishing to explore the early years of a master songwriter and an absolute must for fans. The songs are intimate and complex with compelling harmonies and characterisation....

Those over 18 are guaranteed a night of raucous laughter. The comedy, the skill, the surprises, the wanton sexual overtones and the laughter, oh the laughter! It's all there in this incredible show brought to you by a line up of international talent...

Having already tasted 'the fine wine' after an exquisite journey with 'The Daylight Atheist', award-winning playwright Tom Scott's story about his father, I was unsure how I was going to feel about 'Joan', Scott's play about his mother. 'Joan' takes us on a different path and so it should....

Michael Hurst is simply captivating as Danny Moffat. Hurst didn't show us the life of Danny Moffat, he took us with him, transporting us to another time and place melding both skill and charisma. This is a first-class theatre experience...

The beautiful setting of the amphitheatre on the shore of Lake Pupuke and adjacent to the main PumpHouse Theatre is the perfect place to enjoy a night of Shakespearean theatre. Come early and enjoy the offerings of the French Rendezvous Cafe complete with bar facilities. Bring your own cushions and ...

The world premiere of emerging playwright Richard De Luca's 'Death of a Dream' has certainly paid off for Dolphin Theatre's Committee as it took out an array of  awards including Best Production, Best Female Lead Role, Best Supporting Female, Best Supporting Male and Best character male at their ...

We've all spent time wondering about the little 'what ifs' - how would our lives be changed, if we had made our decisions a little differently? The musical If/Then, by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, explores one woman's fascination with the road not taken. Boasting a small but mighty cast, the Wellingto...

Director Syd Mannion and his team have encapsulated the essence of what this story is about and this is the crucial success of this production. The characters are sensationally played; they are charismatic, exquisitely presented in delicious period costume and the story is supported with a craftil...

Shortland St the Musical. Was that a sharp intake of breath? What madness is this? At least, that was my reaction when I first heard that this show was being developed into a full-length musical comedy. I have seen little bits and pieces of the long-running soap, but I never really recognised what m...