October 16, 2006

Masterclass. I don’t want to comment about the play but about John Smythe’s gratuitous comment that it was staged after “many years of National Party indifference to the arts”...

September 24, 2006

The Rivals and the Circa model. You can’t argue with bums on seats. I am reliably informed that THE RIVALS at Circa – which closes tonight – will have played to over 5,000 patrons and averaged almost 70% capacity. (These figures were offered mid-last week, when there were about 10…...

September 4, 2006

Sultan’s Elephant. Has anyone been following the latest Royal de Luxe?...

August 30, 2006

Essential viewing on Rialto. The Rialto Channel run a brilliant series called ‘Inside the Actors Studio’. I just watched the episode featuring William H. Macy, and man was it good....

August 14, 2006

Ian McMinn. “Funny he never married”, yes, Ian would have appreciated that very much. A man with a wicked sense of humour and a soul of compassion and love....

July 28, 2006

The Goat. Should a columnist who is an avowed non-theatre goer comment through hearsay on a play’s theme? I refer to Rosemary McLeod’s article in the DomPost last week...

June 2, 2006

Trouble in Tahiti – New Zealand productions? I posted this over at the New Zealand Opera Society website, with no responses, so perhaps someone here may be able to help: …...

May 24, 2006

Spanish Theatre Artist to visit NZ. From June 20 to July 5 2006, the Magdalena Aotearoa Trust will host a visit by Spanish theatre artist Rosa Casado. She will give lectures, workshops and performances in Auckland, Wellington and Dunedin. An independent creator and performer based in Madrid…...

May 14, 2006

A director’s role, rights and responsibilities. Three recent productions have raised questions about the role, rights and responsibilities of directors. [Warning: Don’t read on if you’d rather not know what happens in The Underpants.]...

May 10, 2006

Local content in the New Zealand International Arts Festival 2006. For every NZ International Arts Festival there is huge competition to score a commission to create a local production. Only a few of those who apply get to pitch their idea at the ‘show and tell’ session, and only a…...

May 10, 2006

May a critic challenge programming decisions? The following exchange came off my review of The Fundraiser at Centrepoint. Does anyone else have thoughts on this?...