Aotearoa New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views.
Contributing constructively to the continuing conversation...
Below The Worms
Wellington
03/02/2026 - 07/02/2026
"Charming, funny and just strange enough to keep you hooked..
Mere Mortals
Christchurch
29/01/2026 - 31/01/2026
"Skilful acrobatics display demands, and rewards, your full attention..
Presenting… THE TIWHAS!
Wellington, Christchurch
04/06/2022 - 31/01/2026
"Dazzling, magnetic show will have you dancing in your seats..
"‘Simply the Best’ and for ‘Absolutely Everybody’..
The Glass Menagerie
Wellington
24/01/2026 - 21/02/2026
"Delivers a moving, finely acted revival..
"An exquisitely executed minimalist production to celebrate 50 years..
We're Gonna Kill Billy
Whangarei
27/01/2026 - 01/02/2026
"Highly relevant contemporary and challenging ideas tackled with energy and vision..
A Welly Full of Laughs
Wellington
24/01/2026 - 24/01/2026
"World-class acts, curated by Wellingtonians, for Wellingtonians..
The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes
Christchurch
09/01/2026 - 25/01/2026
"Quality madcap fantasy comedy and action..
The Greatest Christmas Show
New Zealand wide
28/11/2025 - 21/12/2025
"The Christmas people are actually having, a little sparkly, a little chaotic, generous at heart, and fun..
"Cheesy but fun: what makes a Christmas show the Greatest?..
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Wellington
17/12/2025 - 20/12/2025
"Engaging storytelling fully committed to the theatrical style of infectious playfulness..
Sexy Ghost of Xmas Boy
Christchurch, Nelson, Wellington
06/12/2025 - 20/12/2025
"Fascinating, funny, frankly bizarre – perfect for the theatrically brave and the interactively curious..
Frankenstein
Wellington
16/12/2025 - 20/12/2025
"Draws the audience along, invites unexpected empathy, most certainly does not repel..
PŪNGAO
Auckland
13/12/2025 - 13/12/2025
"“When the Body Remembers How to Speak”..
Janice's Last Christmas
Wellington
09/12/2025 - 13/12/2025
"Captures everything we love (and dread) about office Christmas parties, with wit and chaos..
The Tempestuous
Auckland, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Wellington, Dunedin
13/06/2023 - 06/12/2025
"A torrential storm of talent, with lightning flashes of dazzling wit..
"Ashton conjures a tale that’s as salutary as it is richly entertaining..
More reviews
The Man Whose Mother Was A Pirate - The Musical
Wellington
05/12/2025 - 14/12/2025
"A triumph of artistry, collaboration and pure joyous storytelling..
The Nutcracker
Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland
29/10/2025 - 13/12/2025
"The ritual of gathering in a theatre to witness a fairytale come to life remains, thankfully, ageless...
"Imbued with layers of experience, invention and dedication to weaving the essence of Aotearoa into every step..
More reviews
A Christchurch Carol
Christchurch
04/12/2025 - 20/12/2025
"Offers lots of irresistibly contagious laughter and good humour..
Alice in Wonderland: A Pantomime
Dunedin
04/12/2025 - 14/12/2025
"Fresh and contemporary entertainment..
"Performers radiate aplomb, enthusiasm..
Strays
Wellington
03/12/2025 - 06/12/2025
"Wondrously compelling if enigmatic; heartening to see such skill and creativity..
Youltide
Wellington
03/12/2025 - 06/12/2025
"Inventive storytelling exceptionally well presented..
A Christmas Carol
Auckland
02/12/2025 - 07/12/2025
"An exceptional production for the whole family, uplifting, magical, and engrossing..
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Headlines
Tuesday February 10, 2026
Dunedin Theatre Awards for 2025
Dunedin Theatre Awards for 2025 OUR 14TH ANNUAL ŌTEPOTI DUNEDIN THEATRE AWARD WINNERS!
Thursday January 15, 2026
Aroha Awarau
Playmarket is deeply saddened by the passing of playwright Aroha Awarau. A champion for Māori story sovereignty, Aroha built a career over more than two decades which spanned theatre, film and journalism, carving out authentic, community-anchored stories. Underpinned by deep compassion and pride, Aroha was a staunch advocate for uplifting and centring Indigenous voices in mainstream media.
Deadlines
Monday November 24, 2025
2025 Wellington Theatre Awards Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai Award Nominations!
2025 Wellington Theatre Awards Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai Award Nominations! Congratulations to all the exceptional nominees. Tickets are on sale now for December 7 at the Hannah Playhouse https://shorturl.at/PC71y - 7.30pm.
Monday October 6, 2025
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST New Work in Development
EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST OPEN The Hannah x Auckland Live new work in development The Hannah is proud to partner once again with Auckland Live to support the development of a new Aotearoa production, and provide the space and time for a new work in development to make waves. This opportunity includes in-kind venue use of the Hannah Playhouse alongside production support from Auckland Live for the period 2026-2027.
Views & Q's
Saturday June 21, 2025
Comment posted to review of END OF SUMMERTIME in Auckland
John Smythe: With Dickie sharing his experience as a newcomer to Auckland, I don't think audiences outside Auckland will have any problem understanding the play. They certainly didn't in Wellington - see: https://www.theatreview.org.nz/production/end-of-summer-time/
Sunday February 16, 2025
CatGPT reviewed by ChatGPT
Comment posted to Deb Rea’s review of CatGPT I was so astonished by the ChatGPT that I asked Deb how it came about. She replied: “I spent about a minute making sure it understood that I was talking about the show. Then it wrote one that I didn't like so I asked it to try to match L3NT1Ls personality more. Then it wrote one
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