PUMPHOUSE, TAKAPUNA

by Glenda Pearce - May 08, 2026

Award winning director Paul Rouckchan is clearly invested in bringing out the human elements of a battle remembered as one of bloodiest moments in NZ military history.  The direction is skilfully focused and the management of the stage space was perfect. On the five day offensive at Chunuk Bair, Ne...

by Neil Brewer - May 06, 2026

This is a play that will linger in the mind long after the curtain falls....

by Glenda Pearce - April 29, 2026

Opening this Friday at the Dolphin theatre, is another classic mystery thriller from Agatha Christie. The Queen of the Whodunnit would be extremely delighted with this beautifully executed entrancing vision of the classic crime of passion....

by Glenda Pearce - April 27, 2026

This production is one of obvious beauty - and much more. Congratulations to Harlequin for providing spectacular family entertainment of such high quality. Collaboratively directed by Charlotte West with musical direction by Courtney Noble, choreography by Hayz Pincheira Rowe, and assistant dire...

by Glenda Pearce - April 15, 2026

And incredibly powerful – as powerful as any Greek tragedy might be. And the roots of the script itself bring out the typical themes of the Greek playwrights. What happens when love becomes obsessive and jealous, what happens when personal desire escalates to challenge community loyalty, and what ...

by Neil Brewer - 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 ...

by Neil Brewer - April 11, 2026

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

by Neil Brewer - April 08, 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. ...

by Neil Brewer - April 07, 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 foll...

by Neil Brewer - 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....