Aotearoa New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views.
Contributing constructively to the continuing conversation...
Give Way - The Musical
Wellington
26/04/2025 - 24/05/2025
"A treat never seen this way OR that way before!..
Pōtaka Nautilus & Pepe
Dunedin
29/03/2025 - 29/03/2025
"Celebration of the spiral form that underpins our world..
"Dip a toe in the depth of cosmic expanse..
Crunchy Silk
Dunedin
01/05/2025 - 03/05/2025
"Unsettling, imaginative, and provocative..
PopRox Improv
Wellington
27/04/2025 - 23/11/2025
"Racy gags never detract from the story or its emotional message..
UNFORGETTING: A Memoir
(not a specified venue)
26/04/2025 - 30/04/2026
"Lili, Docky and Pa: harrowing and loving revelations..
TREASURE ISLAND - The Pantoloons
Lower Hutt
24/04/2025 - 25/04/2025
"What it lacks in polish, it makes up for in pure fun and spirit..
The Messy Magic Adventure: KITCHEN CHAOS!
Wellington, New Plymouth
17/04/2018 - 26/04/2025
"Circus, slapstick, magic tricks and perfect comic timing..
"Gleefully played physical slapstick..
More reviews
The Play That Goes Wrong
Wellington, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Auckland
19/04/2025 - 01/06/2025
"Faultless fault-filled theatre – perfect for seasoned theatre-goers and first-timers alike..
Coro
Wellington
22/04/2025 - 26/04/2025
"Hilarious, fast paced and full of (non-cringey) audience participation..
"Delights arise from its sheer theatricality, and the players’ skill and versatility..
School of Rock The Musical
Palmerston North
18/04/2025 - 05/05/2025
"125th birthday bash rocks up with an A-plus..
Speed is Emotional
Auckland
17/04/2025 - 03/05/2025
"Courageous and innovative, a unique journey through ADHD with songs. Recommended...
In The Green
Wellington
15/04/2025 - 26/04/2025
"An incredibly moving expression of the human psyche..
Solarise: A New Musical
Wellington
03/04/2025 - 12/04/2025
"Much to love – leaves a lasting impression..
Come From Away
Christchurch
11/04/2025 - 26/04/2025
"Reminds us that giving is often the best gift we can receive..
An Evening Without Kate Bush
Wellington
12/04/2025 - 13/04/2025
"Takes the art seriously, but never itself: alive, messy, and full of heart..
SUPPING WITH THE DEVIL
Dunedin, Wellington
20/03/2025 - 12/04/2025
"Film-maker’s corruption in quest for power and fame..
"Controversial quest beautifully presented with theatrical creativity..
More reviews
Bits in Pieces
Wellington
10/04/2025 - 11/04/2025
"Carves out a vital space for feminist healthcare comedy..
The Play That Gets Louder
Auckland
08/04/2025 - 12/04/2025
"A war time tale of brotherhood told with great skill and class..
In Other Words
Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin
03/09/2024 - 28/03/2025
"Moving testament to love severely tested..
"Performed with technical expertise..
More reviews
Mansfield Park 2025
Christchurch, Dunedin
01/04/2025 - 06/04/2025
"Intimate, whimsical chamber opera delights..
"Quality performances and musically inventive opera provide an entertaining experience...
Rubber Gloves: The Glad Rags Story
Nelson, Takaka
06/03/2025 - 03/04/2025
"Solid characters, funny one-liners, hilarious costumes – could use a more effective storyline..
"A lot of fun with potential for a fuller and richer story..
UPU
Wellington, Gisborne, New Plymouth, Hastings, Dunedin
16/06/2021 - 05/04/2025
"Upu sheds light on the warmth of Pacific culture and its disturbing realities..
"A spectacular showcase for Oceanic talents, voices and perspectives..
More reviews
The Anderson Localisation
Dunedin
05/04/2025 - 06/04/2025
"A universe of ‘impossible probabilities’..
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Headlines
Sunday April 13, 2025
24 YEAR OLD TAKES OUT NEW ZEALAND’S TOP PRIZE FOR A NEW PLAY
Playmarket is pleased to announce the winner of the ADAM NZ PLAY AWARD for 2025: Alex Medland for We’re Gonna Kill Billy. At just 24 years old, Alex is the youngest recipient of the award in its 18 year history. The Adam NZ Play Award recognises and celebrates the best in unproduced writing for the theatre. Playmarket Director/Tumuaki Murray Lynch announced the winners at Circa Theatre on 12 April.
Friday April 11, 2025
Squeeze on arts education puts generation at risk
In 2024 the Government declared that arts in education are “nice to haves”. They did so while announcing new mandates of structured literacy and numeracy and delaying (again) a refresh of the arts curriculum. This was followed by further cuts to school arts programmes and the closure of several leading performing arts companies that create work for and with young people. In 2025 performing arts companies are reporting a drop in engagement with schools because they are squeezed for time as they grapple with the changes in the curriculum.
Deadlines
Tuesday April 8, 2025
Theatreview Dance Editor Nationwide – opportunity available
Theatreview is looking for a detail-oriented, part-time editor for an interim position from May until the end of July this year, to help us serve Aotearoa New Zealand’s dance performance community. As a key member of our team, you’ll manage reviews for diverse professional live dance performances, from emerging talents to established artists.
Wednesday February 12, 2025
The Wellington Theatre Awards
SEEKING TWO NEW JUDGES The Wellington Theatre Awards Trust is seeking expressions of interest for new judges to join our wonderful judging panel for 2025. We are looking for 2 new judges to join the current panel this year, supporting the Wellington Theatre Sector. This is a volunteer position - looking for committed and reliable individuals to attend productions across Poneke and to contribute to the Wellington Theatre Awards Judging sessions.
Views & Q's
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
Wednesday December 4, 2024
Comments posted to review of Invisible:
Sarah Barham December 1st, 2024 And in an ironic twist, this reviewer misrepresented and trivialised these women’s traumatic stories thus underlining the point of the show! Sarah Barham December 3rd, 2024 Specifically -
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