NEW ZEALAND THEATER REVIEWS

Bold, often raunchy, frequently funny, and unexpectedly tender...

On a sultry Auckland night (in more ways than one), an expectant crowd gathered, some in drag and raucous garb, others bustling from a long week of work. The majestic Civic Theatre beckoned with ample arms, its two tiered hall resplendent in historic finery. The scene was set for Richard O’Brien�...

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

What did our critic think of THE LAST FIVE YEARS at PUmphouse Theatre Auckland?...

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

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 mos...

What did our critic think of 'MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING' AND 'ROMEO AND JULIET' at Shoreside Theatre?...

Imagine the situation. You’re in love. You are asked to defend your present relationship as one that could endure. Could you be supremely confident that nothing could shake its foundations?  If asked by authorities, what proof would youneed? How easy is it to truly have an open mind? Do we make a...

What did our critic think of A CHRISTMAS CRISIS at Q Theatre, Auckland?...

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....

Currently playing at Dolphin Theatre in Onehunga, It’s a Wonderful Life is a heartwarming production that captures the spirit of the classic film within the bonus intimacy of live theatre. Produced by Dolphin Theatre, directed by Maryanne Rushton and written for the stage by Mary Elliot Nelson, th...

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....

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

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

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

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

What did our critic think of KIRI:TE ARAROA - WOMAN FAR WALKING” at ASB WATERFRONT THEATRE?...

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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, Fredd...

Originally published in 1925, The Great Gatsby was a commercial disappointment during F. Scott Fitzgerald’s lifetime. Its reputation grew significantly after the Second World War, when it was distributed to American soldiers, eventually earning its place as a cornerstone of American literature and...

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...