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

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BADJELLY THE WITCH: Great ‘brand value’ but under-resourced
The Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
Adapted by Alannah O’Sullivan 
Based on the book by Spike Milligan 
Directed by Melanie Luckman
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

Both girls sit attentively throughout, and elsewhere in the crowd there seems to be a dearth of wiggly bottoms, so the show is clearly successful with its target audience. 

The girls’ mother and I are less enthused about the show. This production and adaptation retains the silliness and idiosyncratic nature of the source material without embracing the wit or warmth that make it successfully whimsical.

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PLANET REWIND: A frustrating and ultimately futile exercise
BATS Theatre, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Devised by the company 
Directed by James Ruscoe and Laura Gaudin
Presented by YoYo
- reviewed by John Smythe

I do keep trying to lock into the ‘in reverse’ idea to make sense of the unfolding action but – for example – it is impossible to blow bubbles in reverse, and when photos are taken with the camera the ‘Flash!’ image comes after the click.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
MOIRA'S WHEEL OF FORTUNE: Friendly, delightful, satisfying
Le Tigre Tent – Busker Park, Christchurch
Guy Langford
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

Scottish fortune teller Moira Mackenzie – Kiwi Guy Langford in floaty skirts and kitschy jewellery – has descended from the Highlands to work her slightly shonky magic and help us divine our future, which may or may not include astronauts, dancers, a new flag and maybe even death.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
JUSTINE SMITH - ABROAD: Friendly, down-to-earth engagement
Mashina Lounge, Christchurch Casino, Christchurch

- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

The low lights, a vodka cocktail and the black furniture seem to set this show up as a sophisticated trip into the seamy steamy side of stand-up. But no. Justine Smith, back from California and, she hastens to add, some genuine culture, comes across as a chatty, breezy broad (her favoured term for a female) ...

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
MISS BEHAVE’S GAMESHOW: Gets usually reticent Cantabrians screaming, dancing, grinding, thrusting and borderline physically assaulting each other
The Little Big Top – Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Naomi van den Broek

In some form of post-apocalyptic style discrimination, we, the audience / participants are divided from the outset, based on what style of phone we use: iPhone or “other”. 

The two groups are then pitted against each other in games of skill, chance, bravery, and sheer audacity

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
UNICORN: A LIFE LESS MAGICAL: A droll, horrific, bizarre tale with a moral
Le Tigre Tent – Busker Park, Christchurch
Derek Flores 
Presented by Meegwai Productions
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

I am a big fan of The Unicorn’s storytelling shows – this is the third or fourth time I’ve been to one over the last couple of years, and I’ll be attending again later this week – but this is the first time I’ve been in such a tipsy, boisterous audience.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
JARRED FELL - POSSIBLE: Equal-opportunity offender
The Little Big Top – Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Erin Harrington

Kiwi comedy magician Jarred Fell – “making the possible possible” – is a bogan Paul Daniels, equipped with a sarcastic wit, a filthy mouth, and a box full of signed naked selfies for lucky crowd members.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
BUSKERS BURLESQUE: USA INVASION: Simmering, sizzling, charming, awe-inducing, witty …
The Press Big Top – Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Naomi van den Broek

Being a live Burlesque virgin, I am delighted to hear the ushers calling “Sold Out” at the doors of The Press Big Top as we make our way inside for Buskers Burlesque. And it’s a varied audience too.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
YANA ALANA: BETWEEN THE CRACKS: In-your-face, over the top yet finds a way to the heart
The Press Big Top - Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

The politely conventional air of the venue may never recover from the blue dynamite blast that is Sarah Ward's creation: Yana Alana. Certainly the shenanigans of this hugely talented cabaret diva are remarkable for their exuberance and daring.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
EASTEND CABARET – SEXUAL TENSION: What happens in the tent stays in the tent
The Little Big Top – Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Erin Harrington

Together, they are a delicious pair of smut-peddlers with gorgeous voices and killer stage presence. Their show, EastEnd Cabaret, offers a delightfully filthy night that combines ribald humour and outrageous songs with beautifully pitched character comedy.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
THE MESSY MAGIC SHOW: Refreshingly different
The Little Big Top – Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Erin Harrington

The show pitches its dual address well. It caters to its young target audience without pandering to them or descending into scatological silliness, and it sends more than enough knowing winks and atrocious puns in the direction of the grownups.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
URZILA CARLSON - MAN UP: Irresistible conviction
The Press Big Top - Busker Park, Christchurch
Presented by CREEPING CHARLIE
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

She is that big personality who has no need of anything more than the microphone to fashion a memorable evening out of observation and revelation strung along a wandering thread of highly entertaining reasoning.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
HAMISH PARKINSON - FLY OR DIE: Extraordinarily funny and absolutely original
Mashina Lounge, Christchurch Casino, Christchurch

- reviewed by Erin Harrington

It’s comedy time! Hamish Parkinson is here to deliver us his ‘cool show’, even if he’s terrified, completely unsure as to how to make it work, and resorting to working through a hastily scribbled checklist of comedy tropes.

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
JON BENNETT - PRETENDING THINGS ARE A COCK: Solid, sustained, satisfying …
Philip Carter Family Auditorium, Christchurch Art Gallery Te Puna o Waiwhetu, Christchurch

- reviewed by Naomi van den Broek

Bennett seems genuinely thrilled and surprised by his capacity opening night crowd. He tells us that it’s always a surprise to him when people attend the show, as it’s very hard for people to imagine what they are about to see. Hat’s off to the Festival for positioning this show so well ...

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SCIRT WORLD BUSKERS FESTIVAL 2016
ONGALS: Gloriously playful and risky
The Press Big Top - Busker Park, Christchurch

- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

Everything is generous about this opening act for the 2016 World Buskers Festival: seating is well spaced and ample, the thrust stage is visible for all, the audience arrives smiling and the inimitable quartet of babbling, rollicking and infinitely skilful Korean clowns is simply beguiling.

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

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