Aotearoa New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views.
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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..
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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..
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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..
Early Midnight Circus
Wellington
27/11/2025 - 27/11/2025
"Expect the unexpected not warning enough for unhinged show..
Homebodies
Wellington
26/11/2025 - 29/11/2025
"Relevant, honest, design-led, movement-driven theatre with something crucial to say..
A Hardware Love Affair (Development Season)
Wellington
25/11/2025 - 29/11/2025
"Potential well worth pursuing beyond the broad brush-strokes..
H.R. The Musical #2
Auckland
25/11/2025 - 06/12/2025
"Insane talent, comedy pearlers, uncontrollable laughter, and tomfoolery in this seasonal gem..
Balloon Dog
Auckland
22/11/2025 - 30/11/2025
"A jewel of a play, brimming with humanity and gentle comedy while not flinching from serious themes...
Black Grace Double Bill - If Ever There Was A Time / Esplanade
Auckland, Christchurch
21/11/2025 - 26/11/2025
"Black Grace reveal the poetry, energy and grace at the heart of Taylor’s 50-year-old work, surely the true measure of…..
New Zealand School of Dance 2025 Performance Season
Wellington
19/11/2025 - 29/11/2025
"A fine performance outstandingly staged, highlighting depth and versatility..
"Well-trained, talented and committed dancers enrich our society..
More reviews
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Headlines
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.
Sunday November 30, 2025
Leaving a light on for Jennifer Lal
Leaving a light on for Jennifer Lal She was tough. One of those hard-shell, soft-centre types. Laugh like gravel, heart like warm bread. Thick crust with baked in goodness kind. The “life’s a mess, so let’s fn get on with it” kind.
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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