NEW ZEALAND THEATER REVIEWS

What did our critic think of PACK OF GIRLS BY PORIRUA LITTLE THEATRE at Niblick Hall?...

We are all in the gutter, but some of us are looking at the stars. Oscar Wilde’s Lady Windermere’s Fan is a four-act comedy of manners, first performed in 1892 at London’s St James’s Theatre. As Wilde’s West End debut, it was an instant success, cementing his reputation as a master of wit ...

A luminous, generous evening. Jackie Clarke becomes one with the music with the elements of voice, body, and soul in seamless accord; matched by Penny Dodd’s eloquent musicianship and Janice Finn’s lucid staging. If you can find a seat, take it, and meet ten unforgettable souls summoned by one r...

Legally Blonde: The Musical is based on the beloved 2001 film, which itself was adapted from Amanda Brown’s novel. Developed in the mid-2000s by producer Hal Luftig and others, the musical features music and lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, with a book by Heather Hach....

Crazy Ladies is a full-length comedy by New Zealand playwright Devon Williamson, renowned for his witty, character-driven works. Originally premiering at Detour Theatre in Tauranga, the play has since enjoyed successful productions across New Zealand, Australia, and the United States, including sta...

Manage Your Expectations takes the concept of the “trigger warning” and pushes it to its absurdist edge, using sharp humour to interrogate the idea of informed consent. It asks, provocatively: How much do you really want to know? Created and performed by the multi-award-winning theatrical mav...

Great drama has rich emotional audience connection. Paula Vogel’s superb script has been described as a modern American classic. It is lean and economical, ensuring that every line, every description, every character development moves the story forward – and respects the audience’s imagination...

What did our critic think of MARY - THE BIRTH OF FRANKENSTEIN at ASB Waterfront Theatre?...

What did our critic think of IRON at Stagecraft Theatre?...

Ration the Queen’s Veges is a compelling one-man play produced by Te Pou Theatre, inspired by real events from December 2023. It dramatizes the story of Te Wehi Heketoro Ratana, an activist who abseiled into Te Papa Tongarewa and defaced the English version of the Treaty of Waitangi exhibition us...

Mamma Mia! is a vibrant jukebox musical celebrating the timeless hits of Swedish pop legends ABBA. Set on a sun-drenched Greek island, it follows the heartwarming and humorous story of a young bride-to-be, her fiercely independent mother, and three possible fathers....

Running from August 8th to August 23rd, the play honors the cleverness of Wilde's words while also bringing to light the deeper social commentary that lies beneath the witty one-liners....

Deftly directed with keen emotional intensity by Catherine Maunsell, this New Zealand comedy-drama is effectively executed by a very talented cast working superbly together to create shape, light and shadow throughout....

Magic, illusion, and intrigue—making the seemingly impossible possible —form the foundation of Anthony Street’s performance. The audience are asked to consider whether they identify as believers or sceptics....

Quite simply, this is an imaginative production with the story told as Shakespeare would have interpreted many elements today. This ingeniously crafted production will appeal to both seasoned Shakespeare lovers and those unfamiliar with the intricacies of the plot. ...

Matilda began as a beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, published in 1988, and was later adapted into a charming film in 1996—which I absolutely adored. More recently, it received a vibrant new life as a stage musical, debuting in 2010 with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin and a book by Dennis...

Maven Theatre Company makes a striking entrance onto the New Zealand theatre scene with the premiere of The Ballad of Maria Marten. Read our review of the show!...

Wellington Repertory Theatre is running it's latest offering, an adaptation of DH Lawrence's The Fox written by Keith Scott, a Dunedin playwright known for his historical works and original stage plays....

The Sound Inside is a critically acclaimed play by Adam Rapp, first premiering on Broadway at Studio 54 in October 2019. The play centers on Bella Baird, a reclusive and introspective creative writing professor at Yale, who is grappling with a recent cancer diagnosis....

Well directed and skilfully delivered by a stellar cast, this is an absorbing play that will remain with you for a long time....

 Georgy Girl -The Seekers Musical made its New Zealand premiere at Off Broadway Theatre Papakura, Auckland on Saturday night.  Produced by Papakura Theatre Company, this show is an absolute triumph! ...

13 is a coming-of-age musical centred on protagonist Evan Goldman and his navigation through his teenage angst in a small town after his parents divorce. With themes of friendship, first love (and loss), bullying, and inclusion this is a musical that mirrors our own teen experiences and will m...

It is not often that a piece of musical theatre impacts long after the curtains close, but this is certainly the case at Dolphin Theatre's 'Assassins'. Combining dark parts of American history with musical theatre is an interesting exercise. This is not your typical musical....

A beautifully thoughtful play that will stay with you long after the curtain call...

Why do mysteries grab us? Auckland Theatre Company creatively crafts  Ken Ludwig’s adaption of Agatha Christie’s whodunnit -  and brings to lavish life the inherent fascination we have with the detective mystery genre. Drawn in immediately by dynamic  dramatic and cinematic opening moments , ...