Richard Mays

Filter by:

Involved in theatre from adolescence and at uni, and briefly professional, Richard was diverted into radio.

As a presenter he previewed and reviewed performances from the wider Manawatū region on local stations, and for a time contributed on RNZ National.


Richard has also reviewed professionally over the past three decades for Manawatū newspapers the Guardian, Tribune and (until kiboshed last year by Covid) Manawatū Standard while keeping his hand in as an occasional community actor. 


In 2003 Richard co-founded the annual Globe Theatre Awards, now the Regional Theatre Awards, for performances involving community theatre groups from Taihape down to Levin, and Feilding across to Pahiatua.


During the subsequent years he has been prominent as an awards assessor/adjudicator attending around 30 regional productions a year, recognising, rewarding and championing the achievements of local community performers and performance groups.

Richard Mays's reviews

Cringeworthy - Swinging in the 60s!

Wellington, Palmerston North

01/04/2023 - 17/03/2024

"Bingo for boomers: A sashay through the 60s at a thousand miles an hour..

"Smooth, confident, quality pop – enthralling and memorable..
Morgan and Justin Get Ambitious

Palmerston North

09/02/2024 - 09/02/2024

"Gettin’ ambitty wit’ it – a meander through millennial angst ..
WAITING FOR WAITING FOR GODOT

Auckland, Gisborne, Palmerston North, Wellington

30/03/2023 - 02/12/2023

"The art of Waiting for Godot..

"Profoundly entertaining. Don’t wait, book now...

More reviews
Romeo & Juliet

Palmerston North

24/02/2023 - 04/03/2023

"Authentically raw emotion combines with robust fight scenes in this punchy action-packed social drama..
An Act of God

Palmerston North

25/02/2023 - 30/03/2023

"Cribbed glibness on a wing and a prayer – more B-musing than A-musing..
THE OPENING NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS

Palmerston North

12/11/2022 - 17/12/2022

"Cornball caper a cheesy Christmas cracker..
CRINGE WORTHY 80s!

Palmerston North, Wellington

06/11/2021 - 11/06/2022

"Cringeworthy and so much fun..

"A unique blend of warmth, humour and spirit..

More reviews
THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF PALMERSTON NORTH – Abridged

Palmerston North

24/07/2021 - 22/08/2021

"Looks certain to clip a lot of local tickets..
THE BICYCLE & THE BUTCHER’S DAUGHTER

Palmerston North, Nelson, Wellington

10/09/2020 - 11/11/2023

"The totality is inspiring – not least as a superb example of the ephemeral alchemy of live theatre..

"An entertaining ride across bike-break mountain..

More reviews
WINDING UP

Palmerston North

27/03/2021 - 24/04/2021

"Classy slapstick works a treat..
ITHACA

Palmerston North, Auckland

26/11/2015 - 05/12/2020

"Jaw-dropping, spellbinding stadium spectacular..

"Fantasy and escapism..

More reviews
TWELFTH NIGHT

Palmerston North

27/02/2020 - 07/03/2020

"Frisky, feisty and funny alfresco frolic..
UP DOWN GIRL

Wellington, Palmerston North

28/02/2020 - 01/05/2021

"Show filled with love affection and music..

"A richly layered and uplifting experience..

More reviews
NIU SILA

Palmerston North

03/08/2019 - 25/08/2019

"Kiwi classic shows its contemporary heart..

"Beautiful, funny and packs a real punch..
CELLFISH

Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Christchurch, Gisborne

08/03/2017 - 15/10/2019

"A standout in a shimmering sea of wonderful presentations and productions..

"A superbly performed prison pas de deu..

More reviews
Don PASQUALE

Palmerston North, New Plymouth

02/02/2019 - 07/02/2019

"Affectionately crafted effervescence..

"Palpable impact..
PETER PAN

Palmerston North

07/07/2018 - 29/07/2018

"Peter Pan has a real hook..

"Boisterous, riotous and punchy..
SCHOOL DANCE

Palmerston North

18/03/2017 - 29/04/2017

"Much ado about not all that much?..

"Laugh-out-loud funny..
THE WINTER’S TALE

Palmerston North

02/03/2017 - 11/03/2017

"A strong team..

"Summer Shakespeare scores with an adventurous outdoor performance..
FRIDAY'S FLOCK

Feilding, Wellington

17/11/2016 - 10/06/2017

"Rich fusion fare..

"A resonating and memorable experience..
THE GOOD NEWS

Wellington, Palmerston North

24/03/2015 - 04/07/2015

"Chaotic and coherent..

"Seamless ensemble ring bells..
MIDSUMMER (A Play With Songs)

Palmerston North

13/06/2015 - 11/07/2015

"Midsummer a wonderland..

"Wonderfully flexible, fluid and clever..

More reviews