See more recent reviews at theatreview.org, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
SEEING THE CITY AND LICKING ITS CROWN: Delight in interactions
17 Tory St, Wellington
By Kim and Ania Upstill 
Twin City Productions
- reviewed by Henrietta Bollinger

The preparation of food becomes an act; a knowing dance. The serving of food equally becomes something searching, inquisitive and playful. The audience is guided gracefully through the experience which all-in-all I would have to label as a celebration more than any explicit tale.

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They Come From Far Away
THEY COME FROM FAR AWAY - PART 2: UFO SIGHTINGS AND SINGULAR ENCOUNTERS - PART 2.
Te Uru Contemporary Gallery, Titirangi, Auckland
Curated by Mark Harvey
- reviewed by Christina Houghton

The investigation into becoming each other is explored by valvalval smithsmithsmith and Krstn Lrsn as KAL ... Between 12-4pm the pair move in and out of the gallery, to the café next door where they share a smoothie, to the car park out the back, into the back stairwell, and into hidden spaces around the exhibits. This is a task that is challenging and somewhat impossible yet the determination and somatic intention behind the experience brings up many concepts of being seen, seeing each other, body as object, gender, success and failure. As a participant you come across them and engage in presence and or conversation depending on where you catch them..

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
AD MEN: Sophisticated improv skills
Gryphon, Wellington
A PlayShop improvised show 
Directed by Ryan Knighton
- reviewed by John Smythe

Billed as “similar to the award-winning television show, Mad Men” (a title that references Madison Avenue: Manhattan’s centre of American Advertising), the more prosaically titled Ad Men is an improv show about a Kiwi advertising agency in the 1960s. Yes, men are the top executives. And women play prominent roles.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
VLADIMIR THE CROW WHISPERING GHOUL: Confusion offset by contagious need to smile
Gryphon, Wellington
Paul Bourke Theatre
- reviewed by Ashleigh Pope

He channels every monster he knows simultaneously and repeatedly at different locations within the theatre, seemingly with the expectation of a different response each time. The discomfort of the situation encourages some audience members to buy in and give him the praise his character so craves.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
THE OFFENSIVE NIPPLE SHOW: Observant, expressive, politically resonant and funny
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Jess Holly Bates & Sarah Tuck
- reviewed by Thomas LaHood

When I was in my early teens I was quite concerned about my nipples. Specifically they were too ‘puffy’ and I was afraid to reveal them publicly lest people infer that I had extra-high estrogen levels or something. 

That’s my in to this comedy duo’s act of ‘body sovereignty’, of physical reclamation ...

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
ATTACK OF THE KILLER B-MOVIE: A heaped helping of cheesy retro cinema goodness
BATS Theatre, The Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Wellington Improvisation Troupe (WIT)
- reviewed by Jonathan Kingston-Smith

Shudder in fear at what lies in that patch of secluded woodland. Scream at the fetid green horror bubbling out of the sewers. Recoil at the strange, trance-like behaviour of the townspeople. Gasp at the sinister machinations of the town's horticulturalist. Swoon at the burgeoning romance between the bartender and the reformed town drunk. Laugh at the antics of the humorous dog.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
THROUGH ROSE COLOURED GLASSES: Buoyant, whimsical and insightful
Thistle Hall, Wellington
Presented by Women Aren’t Wolves
- reviewed by Lena Fransham

Their meetings chart the course of their growing up and become a steady revelation of all the corners of their relationship. They revisit memories and play games from childhood, argue and miss chances to say important things.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
WOMEN ARE FROM MARS: ATTACK OF THE 50 FOOT CHOIR: Many wonderful and nostalgic themes to be heard
Hannah Playhouse, Wellington
Presented by 10dd
- reviewed by Pepe Becker

n yet another hot summer's night in Welly, twelve singers and a five-piece band bring some hot 'out-of-this-world' sci-fi music to a smallish but warm opening-night audience. Space puns and humorous interjections abound throughout the hour-and-a-bit long journey through a world of cosmic movie and TV-show songs ...

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POLO: High Society in the saddle
SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland
By Dean Parker 
Directed by Colin McColl 
Auckland Theatre Company
- reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton

A new work by Dean Parker fizzes with witty one-liners that coalesce into a free-wheeling satire on the shallowness and depravity of Auckland's moneyed classes.

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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Phantom of the Civic a lavishly romantic spectacle
The Civic - Auckland Live, Auckland
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Lyrics by Charles Hart 
Additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe 
Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opéra’ by Gaston Leroux 
Director: Grant Meese 
Musical Director: Penny Dodd 
Production Designer: Allan Lees 
Choreographer: Rosanne Sims 
Producer: The Amici Trust
- reviewed by Paul Simei-Barton

The music of the night once again unfurls its sweet intoxication amid the splendor of the Civic Theatre as a local company breathes life into the lavishly romantic spectacle of Andrew Lloyd Webber's finest creation.

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Auckland Pride Festival 2016
THE LOOSE DICK KIDDIES SHOW: Breast in Show
Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland
Directed and Written by Kylie Milne and Daryl Wrightson 
Presented by KD's Performing Arts
- reviewed by Tim George

A Show and Tell from hell, a Mr. Rogers Neighbourhood if the neighbourhood was a porn set and Mr. Rogers was played by the Child Catcher from Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
WHAT WE TALK ABOUT: Recommended to all generations
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Hosted by Eamonn Marra and Alice May Connolly
- reviewed by Henrietta Bollinger

There is an immediate connection between audience and performers and I get a building picture of a community around this show. This may just have come from Alice and Eamonn drawing on their social circle of other 20-somethings performers. Though the show has a second-season slickness to the way it runs – seamlessly – when an audience poll is taken through a raise of hands it turns out we are all newbies bar one.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
MISUNDERSTOOD THE MUSICAL: A fun subversion of tales we know well
17 Tory St, Wellington
Created and performed by Laura Irish, Daniel Allan and Isaac Thomas 
Presented by Ravenhorse
- reviewed by Henrietta Bollinger

We learn through song to consider what might be possible if the villains of the tales chose to become the heroes of the tales. Catchy lines from the telling I see are: “Me and my bad guy ways” and the rap “what if the good guys wanna be bad guys, yeah”.

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POLO: Plenty of wit but no surprises
SKYCITY Theatre, Auckland
By Dean Parker 
Directed by Colin McColl 
Auckland Theatre Company
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

This world premiere of celebrated Kiwi playwright Dean Parker’s new play is a would-be socio-political minefield, taking aim at New Zealand’s contemptuous and contemptible aristocracy on their own turf – the Clevedon Polo club, to be precise.

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LEGACY PROJECT 3: Something to truly treasure
Q Theatre Loft, Auckland
Presented by Legacy Project
- reviewed by Lexie Matheson

Legacy Project provides a platform for emerging writers within the LGBTIQ (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and queer) community to create short theatrical works that express our unique Kiwi voices. I’ve seen all the previous Legacy Project shows and can vouch for the integrity of this vision, the clarity of its execution and its almost immediate success.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
EAST MEETS WEST: Strength in Collaboration
TSB Bank Arena, Queens Wharf, Wellington
Produced by Deirdre Tarrant
- reviewed by Donna Banicevich Gera

Next up, my favourite performance of the evening, a dance of the Miao nationality ‘Water Girl’ by Little Egret Folk Dance Troupe, Ms Wu Yuwei & ensemble, a fragile, empowering performance. I was transported through the language of dance into the water. It was so alive and inviting, every flicker, every ripple, every splash. The costuming was simply stunning in the soft flowing shades of blues and greens, and I’m still trying to work out the magic behind the droplets of water falling from a hand at the end. Just beautiful.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
CASTLES: Wierd, wonderful, hilarious and highly recommended
Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown, Wellington
House of Sand - Eliza Sanders and Charles sanders
- reviewed by Jillian Davey

Castles is 45 minutes of weird and wonderful; an exorcism of randomness, a one-woman schizophrenic romp. It is also hilarious (underlined for emphasis) with points of poignancy that give you little moments of “the feels”.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
SILENT MOON: Intense reflection
Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St, Wellington
Reuben Todd
- reviewed by Henrietta Bollinger

When the show begins, the title resonates because of the word silent. The play seems to begin at the end. Rueben greets his audience with a bow, which we applaud. And we are led into a private world of what would seem like child's play if it wasn't for the earnestness with which it is being carried out.

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LOVE’S LABOURS LOST: A pleasant evening to be had with a picnic
Botanical Gardens: The Dell, Wellington
By William Shakespeare 
Directed by Ania Upstill 
Wellington Summer Shakespeare 2016
- reviewed by John Smythe

The premise of Loves Labour’s Lost may be summed up in a Latin proverb that dates back to ancient Rome’s Augustan era; “Quae negata grata”: what is denied is desired.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
CAKE TEA AND COURTSHIP SONGS OF THE 1920S: A perfectly joyous hark back to the music of a bygone era
Blondini's Bar, Embassy Theatre, Wellington
Jason Henderson (voice) 
Fiona McCabe (piano accompanist)
- reviewed by Jo Hodgson

Cake, Tea and Courtship is an endearing dance of romance through the music of the 'Roaring Twenties'. But it’s not just a good ol' sing song – this delightful cabaret-styled high tea has a linking story of expectation, high hopes and dreams-dashed, all served with a delicate club sandwich of bitter sweet humour.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
ENTER THE NEW WORLD: Different, smart, provocative and entertaining
Any New World Supermarket, New Zealand wide
Written, Produced and Edited by Joel Baxendale and Ralph Upton 
Presented by Binge Culture Collective
- reviewed by Tim Stevenson

Feel like a night out on the town? How about something with songs and a story that’s got comedy to make you smile, romance to make your heart beat faster, plus a message about the pitfalls of consumerism and the power of love, to make you think? Not to mention all the food and drink you can swallow or carry away – at a price, of course.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
SKETCH/COMEDY III: Enjoyable power-play
Fringe Bar, 26 Allen St, Wellington
Cartoonist/designer Hadley Donaldson 
MC Jonny Potts 
with guest performer
- reviewed by Ashleigh Pope

The ‘Sketch’ in Sketch Comedy comes from the gimmick of the illustrator, Gerard Paapu, sketching the commentary of tonight’s comedians: Alice Brine, Adam Chown, Adam Wright and Rachel Rouge. This often takes the form of figurative, caricature-like interpretations aping the comedian, sometimes literally.

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Auckland Pride Festival 2016
THE LOOSE DICK KIDDIES SHOW: A raucous, balls-out smut fest
Q Theatre Loft, 305 Queen St, Auckland
Directed and Written by Kylie Milne and Daryl Wrightson 
Presented by KD's Performing Arts
- reviewed by Jan Maree

The second half-hour is played at rampant speed and is jammed full of action. This is where the show really starts to take me somewhere, and the rest of the audience is animatedly along for the ride. We sing, we play percussion, we laugh and laugh and laugh. I find myself thinking, if only we had got to this bit sooner.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
THE TWO MONKEYS SHOW: A comic brainstorm
VK's Comedy & Blues Bar, 60 Dixon St, 
Ben MacGougan and Pete Hodkinson
- reviewed by Saran Goldie-Anderson

The self-proclaimed monkeys in question, Pete Hodkinson and Ben MacGougan (with onstage tech support from Tony Black) may not have come up with Shakespeare, but the end result is an undeniably fun and funny double act with plenty of good surprises.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
QUEENS: Strange and compelling
17 Tory St, Wellington
Written by Uther Dean and Sam Brooks 
Presented by Enablers
- reviewed by Lena Fransham

Maria Williams takes on a bunch of boss women in this Enablers production written by Sam Brooks and Uther Dean. Williams proves flexible through a series of vignettes depicting a bevy of historical queens and the odd non-historic, or prehistoric character.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
A PLAY ABOUT SPACE: Insanely clever
Carter Observatory, 40 Salamanca Rd (or near top of Cable Car), Kelburn, Wellington
Written & directed by by Uther Dean 
presented by my accomplice
- reviewed by Shannon Friday

Space is fun. So is Space Place at Carter Observatory. And so is A Play About Space, at Space Place at Carter Observatory. 

The show opens with Warner Hornshaw (Paul Waggot), a delightfully innocent space-rogue, and the stern pirate-with-a-heart-of-gold Captain Florencia Dreggs (Hannah Banks) breaking in to an abandoned (or is it?) derelict space ship to retrieve a McGuffin box.

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Auckland Pride Festival 2016
TAPAC PRESENTS NIGHT OF THE QUEER 2016: Celebrating generosity, acceptance and love for one
The Auckland Performing Arts Centre: TAPAC, Auckland
Musical Direction - Robin Kelly
Directors Margaret-Mary Hollins (TAPAC), Tai Royal, Taane Mete (Okareka Dance Company) and creative team Dan Williams and Tim Williams.
- reviewed by Carrie Rae Cunningham

A fun, energizing and exuberant ending to a splendid night that celebrates “gay, straight or whatever ruffles your feathers.” And to top it all off, festive company, great atmosphere (the chandeliers!) and table service come as part of the package. (Well done to Margaret Mary at TAPAC and the Okareka team for the attention to detail.) You will not be disappointed.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
AWKWARD THREESOME: The bar is set high
BATS Theatre, The Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Presented by Kickin’ Rad Productions
- reviewed by John Smythe

Jennifer O'Sullivan and Matt Powell play up their fear and trepidation of what is about to happen in order to increase the sense of jeopardy inherent in this Awkward Threesome. Their third player is about to knock on the door and they have no idea who it will be – but we are here to watch, tickets have been paid for, there is no way out. It has to happen.

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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Succeeds in the quality of its talents
The Civic - Auckland Live, Auckland
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Lyrics by Charles Hart 
Additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe 
Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opéra’ by Gaston Leroux 
Director: Grant Meese 
Musical Director: Penny Dodd 
Production Designer: Allan Lees 
Choreographer: Rosanne Sims 
Producer: The Amici Trust
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

In this New Zealand production audiences will be utterly delighted with the combined aesthetics of the production. The Phantom of the Opera is a spectacle like no other and under the direction of Grant Mees this musical masterpiece is brought to life with unrivalled talents of Chris Crowe as the Phantom and Barbara Graham as Christine.

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THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA: Far too many notes for my taste
The Civic - Auckland Live, Auckland
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Lyrics by Charles Hart 
Additional lyrics by Richard Stilgoe 
Book by Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber 
Based on the novel ‘Le Fantôme de l’Opéra’ by Gaston Leroux 
Director: Grant Meese 
Musical Director: Penny Dodd 
Production Designer: Allan Lees 
Choreographer: Rosanne Sims 
Producer: The Amici Trust
- reviewed by James Wenley

I should declare my Phandom up-front: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s masterpiece – yes, masterpiece – is a long-standing favourite. The moment Rob Guest’s mask was ripped from his face to reveal the Phantom’s awful disfigurement is a childhood memory burned into my mind. Amici’s pro-amateur production is the third version of the show I’ve seen in Auckland.

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Auckland Pride Festival 2016
PUZZY: Poetry from the Puzzy
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Written by KIKI featuring Victor Rodger
Directed by Anapela Polataivao 
Produced by Lydia Zanetti and FCC
- reviewed by Courtney Bassett

A major concern in theatre that deals with LGBTIQ identity is often the validity of labels. Which box do we fit into? Do we have to decide? Gay? Lesbian? Bi? These are the questions hurled at Mele (Frankie Adams) in the opening sequence of Puzzy, and immediately reflects a relatable plight for young people uncertain of the identity which best describes them.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
ALL PEARLS WANT TO RETURN TO THE SEA: Misses the boat
Wellington Museum (formerly Wellington Museum of City and Sea), Wellington
Written and Performed by Julia Campbell 
Presented by Sweet Muffin Productions
- reviewed by John Smythe

Cardboard cut-outs of Maui’s dolphins, hand-held and wafted about in space, and a pop-up paper Tangaroa nestled in a suitcase and shaken a bit to suggest he is weeping – can this be called puppetry? Can wafting bits of material about to signify a storm at sea, and waving arms in a slightly panicked swimming motion be called physical theatre?

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
R.U.R – ROSSUM’S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS: Plenty to attract all interest groups
Hannah Playhouse, Wellington
By Karel Čapek 
Translated by David Wyllie 
Directed by Jeremy Bell 
Produced by Russell Armitage 
Hamilton Performing Arts Company
- reviewed by John Smythe

As the ever-changing story builds to its revolutionary climax and settles into its unpredicted aftermath, still riddled with quandary, the abiding questions remain: What will bring us happiness? Who gets to have it? At what cost?

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THEY COME FROM FAR AWAY - PART 1 LIVE PERFORMANCES: UFO Sightings and Singular Encounters
Te Uru Contemporary Gallery, Titirangi, Auckland
Co-curated by Leena Kela (Finland), Christopher Hewitt (Germany) and Mark Harvey (New Zealand)
- reviewed by Christina Houghton

Primarily working on the edges of the borders of art theatre and dance, performance at times finds its self as a transient travelling sole fleetingly visiting festivals, halls, galleries and appearing in public spaces. The artist talk prior to the opening created interesting discussion about what the artists’ are doing and foregrounded performance as the perfect medium for the activating audience and questioning the world we live in as well as questioning the purpose of art through experimentation and bringing people together.

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NZ Fringe 2016 [reviewing supported by WCC]
WHERE SHE STOOD: A moving exploration of the creative process
BATS Theatre, The Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written and directed by Sarah Delahunty
Presented by 1st Gear Productions
- reviewed by Lena Fransham

There's a surprising, complex unfolding in the writing of these characters. Their relationships traverse ideas of the disparity of individual perspectives, empathy, loss and the role of our stories in making the world.

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HAMLET: Needs more than “words, words, words”
The Mound Lawn, Mona Vale Gardens, Christchurch
By William Shakespeare 
Directed by Derek Doddington 
Presented by Top Dog Theatre
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

The downside of this brutal editing is that it sacrifices theme, nuance and language in the name of plot and the piecemeal retention of recognisable lines. In particular, it strips out some key character development and causation, so that, for instance, Ophelia’s sudden descent into madness and Hamlet’s meditation on death seem wholly unjustified.

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DIARY OF AN ASPIRING MAGICIAN: Delightfully baffling
BATS Theatre, Studio, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Aidin Ralfe, Aspiring Magician
- reviewed by John Smythe

Of course we have seen a plethora of wondrous acts played out on TV and large theatre venues but here in the very intimate BATS Theatre Studio, on the small bare stage with no wings, flies, backstage or trapdoors, the exposure and jeopardy are somehow greater.

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Auckland Pride Festival 2016
PUZZY: Brave, engaging and necessary
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Written by KIKI featuring Victor Rodger
Directed by Anapela Polataivao 
Produced by Lydia Zanetti and FCC
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

It’s a rapid-fire set of various vignettes that follow Mele’s journey, punctuated with laughter as we watch sparks fly on Tinder and OkCupid. There is tenderness in recognising the challenges she faces in reconciling her faith and her sexuality; and finally, a sense of relief and satisfaction as she finds her own place, inevitably, at her own pace.

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See more recent reviews at theatreview.org.nz, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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