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HANSEL & GRETEL at Aurora Centre, cnr Greers Rd and Memorial Ave, Burnside
reviewed by Lindsay Clark 20 Jul 2011
A charming and slightly offbeat entertainment
The audience for Dan Bain’s version of the beloved fairytale is relatively quiet. This is because they are deeply absorbed and concentrating in a way not required by the noisy cartoonish remakes which often pass for children’s theatre. The Bain tale is mimed as well as original in its adaptations and additions ... [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at BATS
reviewed by John Smythe 10 Sep 2009
Provocative with theatrical flourish
Content-wise, what seems initially to be politically confused turns out to be confronting and thought-provoking. Given the publicity image ... of Hitler and the Bavarian children who would represent racial purity in Hitler's distorted view, the game seems to be to look for the fascist in the story. [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at Gryphon
reviewed by John Smythe 3 Jul 2012
Missed opportunities in diluted drama
A packed house enjoys yet another opportunity to see a classic folk story dramatised: a genre Wellington specialises in, what with Kapitall Kids’, The Improvisors’ and KidzStuff’s routine holiday shows, and Circa’s annual pantomime all going for the ready-recognition factor every time. [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at 4 Moncrieff St., Mt. Victoria
reviewed by Laurie Atkinson 6 Apr 2010
Fun in the forest
Some welcome rejuvenation has been going on in children’s holiday theatre. Jane Waddell has at long last changed the traditional staging of KidzStuff’s shows by altering the performance space so that the actors now play amongst their audience rather than just in front of it for the latest trad hour-long panto Hansel & Gretel. [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at Gryphon
reviewed by Ewen Coleman (The Dominion Post) 5 Jul 2012
Uncomplicated story brought to life
Another traditional tale innovatively adapted is Kapitall Kids Theatre’s production of Hansel and Gretel by Ben Haddock and Rebecca Parker. Much of the story has been pared back with lots of cleverly adapted songs included to make the story simply but effectively told. [more]

Photo: Adrian Malloch
HANSEL AND GRETEL at The Centre
reviewed by Penny Dodd 1 Jul 2008
Engaging, charming, chilling at times and full of life and old fashioned glee
A cast of five, a pared down orchestra and a set of bold, effective components make for the perfect touring package for NBR NZ Opera and the audiences fortunate enough to see this fresh production of a well loved classic. [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at BATS
reviewed by Jennifer Shennan (The Dominion Post) 11 Sep 2009
Good intentions yet to manifest on stage
Basically a musical comedy-cum-cabaret, its music, attractive composition though it be, is amplified way too loud for the actors who either shout or struggle with voice projection. Together with layers of pseudo-German accents, this means we hear only about half the lines. [more]

Photo: Adrian Malloch
HANSEL AND GRETEL at The Centre
reviewed by William Dart (New Zealand Herald) 1 Jul 2008
Brunnhilde on a broomstick with provocative pantomime flavour
NBR NZ Opera is on the road. Michael Hurst's hi-energy production of Humperdinck's Hansel and Gretel premiered to a full house in Kerikeri on Sunday night and is ready to take on the country. [more]

HANSEL AND GRETEL at 4 Moncrieff St., Mt. Victoria
reviewed by Maryanne Cathro 4 Apr 2010
the stuff that kids love
Throughout the show all the elements we love in children’s theatre abound – audience participation, two levels of humour to entertain both the very young and their jaded parents, references to bottoms (but all very tasteful!) and lots of physical humour and movement. [more]

Photo: Jason Larraman
HANUSSEN – THE PALACE OF BURLESQUE at Q Theatre, Rangatira
reviewed by Vanessa Byrnes 14 Apr 2012
A great value show
After a false start due to technical difficulties on opening night in Auckland – which was handled extremely well with 15 minutes of work being shown as a taster - returned 2 nights later to see the latest offering to Auckland from Christchurch-based company The Loons. [more]
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