Aotearoa New Zealand professional theatre & dance: reviews, news and your views.
Contributing constructively to the continuing conversation...
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..
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A Christchurch Carol
Christchurch
04/12/2025 - 20/12/2025
"Offers lots of irresistibly contagious laughter and good humour..
The Greatest Christmas Show
New Zealand wide
28/11/2025 - 21/12/2025
"Cheesy but fun: what makes a Christmas show the Greatest?..
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
NOT CHRISTMAS, BUT GUY FAWKES
Wellington
22/11/2025 - 13/12/2025
"A precious gift that enriches our understanding of what it was to be a pioneering playwright in New Zealand..
Farrago Bazaar
Wellington
22/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
"An extraordinary collaboration between actors and audience creates a unique theatrical experience..
9 to 5 The Musical
Christchurch
21/11/2025 - 01/02/2026
"High energy, dazzling cabaret-style musical provides a night to remember..
Po' Boys and Oysters
Auckland
22/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
"Unique, funny, and politically confronting, this production marks a meaningful evolution in New Zealand theatre...
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Headlines
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.
Wednesday November 5, 2025
The 2025 PAYPA Awards
The 2025 PAYPA Awards Performing Arts & Young People's Sector celebrates Excellence Performing Arts & Young People Aotearoa (PAYPA) is delighted to announce the finalists for this year’s PAYPA Awards. PAYPA was set up in 2016 to support and champion professional artists creating performing arts work for rangatahi and tamariki. The PAYPA awards were initiated in 2022 to celebrate excellence in an often overlooked sector of the arts.
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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