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AT THE WAKE at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Ross 2 Aug 2012
A fine new play
Funerals and the brouhaha surrounding them typically bring people together who’ve not met for yonks – but what if they’ve had powerful reasons for staying far apart? Chuck into the mix the boozing that's characteristic of a wake, leading on to the freeing-up of the voicing of grievances, grudges and ugly truths, and here comes trouble. [more]

Brendan Lodge Photography
WELL HUNG at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Ross 10 Sep 2012
Still edible if a little gamey
This is cop-show/whodunnit as farce, and very farcical and amusing the action and the characters increasingly become. It gets hard for a reviewer to say much directly about the action without giving away its power to surprise. Let’s just say that in the shift from comedy towards farce, the play is reasonably successful in treading a fine line between plausible yet ridiculous human behaviour and utter absurdity... [more]

VIOLENT GENERATION? at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Ross 12 Oct 2012
Horrifyingly plausible, credible and distressing
How could it be, that from within what looks like an average class of Kiwi teenagers, tensions and emotions can get to such a pitch within just a few days that what gets under way as pack-bullying of one of their classmates can lead on to someone killing her? This devised play makes it horrifyingly plausible, credible and distressing. [more]

THE MOTOR CAMP at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Ross 5 Nov 2012
Clever psychology within high entertainment
Clearly it’s a show for the not-easily-shocked, who are ready to laugh at boundary-violations, within a milieu where it is already shamingly uncool for a fifteen-year-old girl to be exposed as a virgin. And the play is indeed often laugh-out-loud funny, yet also has passages with serious bite. [more]

SHOP ‘TIL YOU DROP at Centrepoint
reviewed by John Ross 15 Apr 2013
Murphy’s Law meets Cock-up Theory
As I remember it, which is dimly, this play in its premiere production at Centrepoint back in 1998 was a quite clever, amusing comedy with patches of farce. Contrariwise, this version of it, in this production, is largely farce, often quite full-on, with interludes of character-comedy. As either, it works. [more]

TAO: THE MARTIAL ART OF NOISE at ASB Theatre, Aotea Centre
reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe with input from Nik Smythe 24 Sep 2006
Sensational
While I try not to form pre-conceived notions of any show, in this instance, I was sure it would be a safe bet to assume I was going to an evening of rhythm, beats and sweaty bodies. What I experience is not only an outstanding version of all of that, but also an evening of melody, dynamic shape, and extraordinary ensemble precision. Tao live is inspiring, uplifting and theatrical. [more]

BADJELLY THE WITCH at The Wintergarden - Civic Theatre
reviewed by Kate Ward-Smythe with input from Ella Ward-Dagg (nearly 3) 26 Sep 2006
Outstanding show but poor acoustics
The show is jam-packed with pantomime tricks, mischief and revelry, performed by an outstanding, hard working cast and crew. [more]

THE SCHOOL FOR SCANDAL at Globe Theatre
reviewed by Clarke Isaacs 10 Oct 2006
Little left to languish
Ancient classic it may be, but the play's plot holds up to the light in satiric mode gossip and slander that are so much part and parcel of this nation's life today. [more]

GISELLE at Westpac St James
reviewed by Jan Bolwell 4 Nov 2006
Meticulous restaging
If you need a solid infusion of traditional classical ballet then this is the show for you. All the iconic images are present – from the dark, mysterious forest setting to the white tutus, to the familiar choreographic steps and spatial patterns danced to the plink-plonk music of Adolphe Adam. [more]

NZSD GRADUATION SEASON 2006 at Te Whaea National Dance and Drama Centre, 11 Hutchison Rd, Newtown
reviewed by Jan Bolwell 17 Nov 2006
Contemporary Trojans & ballet works stand out
The New Zealand School of Dance’s graduation season is one of the most enjoyable dance events of the year. The juxtaposition of ballet and contemporary dance works helps to illuminate the contrasting qualities of both, and is immensely stimulating from an audience point of view. [more]
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