John Smythe

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John Smythe has trained and worked professionally in New Zealand, Australia then back in New Zealand as a playwright, director, screenwriter (& screenwriting teacher), actor, theatre critic and book writer.

His formal qualifications include a Bachelor of Dramatic Art from the National Institute of Dramatic Art (Sydney) and a Certificate in Screenwriting from the Australian Film Television and Radio School. He has also completed honours papers and a range of script writing courses.

Theatre directing credits in Australia include plays by Shakespeare, Ibsen, and Gorki, and world premieres of plays by himself, Len Radic, David Williamson, Louis Esson, Katharine Susannah Prichard, Jack Hibberd and David O’Brien. Back in NZ he directed his own trilogy of short plays – ENTRANCING EXITS: Ms Conception; Nothing Twisted; Used Heads, at Bats Theatre, Wellington International Festival of the Arts; Faulty (sic) Towers & Blackadder’s Banquet at the Museum Hotel.

Playwright credits include Entrancing Exits (BATS Theatre), Conundra (Ensemble Productions), Swaggy Mack and his Magic Back Track (Arena Theatre), The Seven Stages of Hugh Mann (Melbourne University Theatre), Party Games (Jane St Theatre; La Mama) and Making A Play (Melbourne Theatre Company; Central Theatre), Where There’s a Will (BATS Theatre). Unproduced plays include Thelma, Weather and The Virtues of Reality.

John has also written The Peace Monster (Vintage, 1991); Downstage Upfront: the first 40 years of New Zealand’s longest-running professional theatre (Victoria University Press, November 2004) and The Plays of Bruce Mason – a survey (VUP & Playmarket, November 2015).

Amid a wide range of acting roles on stage, television and film, John has played Polonius and the Gravedigger in Hamlet twice (2006 and 2011). In 2012 and with Arts On Tour NZ in 2013 he played James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and Carl Jung in Jan Bolwell’s Dancing in the Wake. In 2015 he played Barry Scanlan in his own play, Where There’s a Will, at BATS Theatre. (Since 2000 he has also played Birdboot in an annual VUW English Dept reading of Stoppard’s The Real Inspector Hound.)

Before becoming the founding Managing Editor of Theatreview.org.nz in 2006, John was a theatre critic for The Melbourne Times, The Australian, Theatre Australia Magazine, The National Business Review.

John Smythe's reviews

Wonderful

Dunedin, Wellington

10/11/2022 - 19/03/2023

"In the grand tradition of Theatre of the Absurd..

"Subtly absurdist perceptive satire full of things to leave us wondering..

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THE TEMPEST

Wellington

11/02/2023 - 26/02/2023

"The calm before The Tempest, with humour..

"A clearly expressed, visually interesting and stimulating celebration of Summer Shakespeare’s 40th year..
RARU E MARUAKAĪTĀ

Wellington

01/02/2023 - 04/02/2023

"Transports us to an exotic yet familiar rendition of flawed human experience ..
PINOCCHIO The Pantomime

Wellington

26/11/2022 - 23/12/2022

"New panto dame shines in Pinocchio – a classic fairytale with a contemporary twist..

"Full of fun and rich in resonance, guaranteed to appeal to all age groups..
OWLS DO CRY

Wellington, Hamilton

26/10/2022 - 13/11/2022

"Bold and clever show draws on Frame novel..

"A dynamic display of theatrical craft that amounts to less than the sum of its parts..

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HALF OF THE SKY

Global, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Auckland

20/10/2022 - 12/09/2023

"Fantastic writing, great direction, superb acting..

"A treat to be gifted such simple yet stunning storytelling..

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MACBETH

Auckland, Wellington

21/09/2022 - 09/10/2022

"Opening the gates of hell..

"Brooding set perfect for stars..

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THE WASP

Wellington

01/10/2022 - 29/10/2022

"Truly unmissable – yet unpredictable..
DROP DEAD GORGEOUS – A Drag Murder Miss-tery

Wellington

20/09/2022 - 24/09/2022

"High-heel drama keeps audience and guest detective guessing..

"A game of intrigue with dramatic twists and a satisfying double climax..
Krishnan’s Dairy

Auckland, Wellington, Raumati

26/08/2009 - 21/09/2022

"As fresh, remarkable and astonishing as ever..

"An enduring, honest and mesmerising milestone in New Zealand theatre..

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THE SHIT KID

Wellington, Dunedin

22/02/2022 - 23/03/2022

"Sharni’s tale recreated with a wonderfully variegated physicality and fluent vocal delivery..

"A cheerful, cheeky show with a distinctly Kiwi flavour..

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TITLE AND DEED

Wellington, Dunedin

14/09/2022 - 24/03/2023

"Exquisitely crafted fragments..

"Steven Ray captivating in TAHI Festival play..

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JOY

Wellington

08/09/2022 - 10/09/2022

"Exquisitely crafted, profoundly insightful and engaging..
THE BOOK ADDICT

Wellington, Palmerston North, Nelson

30/08/2022 - 28/03/2023

"It may not be stranger than fiction, but it’s certainly better!..

"Genuine, intimate and honest with many real, raw moments..

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SKIN TIGHT

Wellington

27/08/2022 - 24/09/2022

"Muscular piece of poetry a real attention grabber..

"Enthralling to witness, enriching to ponder..
PLEASE ADJUST YOUR G-STRING

Wellington

20/08/2022 - 20/08/2022

"An intriguing, amusing and heartfelt memoir..
THE TROJAN WAR

Wellington

16/08/2022 - 20/08/2022

"Dynamic ensemble brings Homer home..
MAN LESSONS: The Live Show

Wellington, Whangarei

11/08/2022 - 14/10/2022

"A DETAILED, HONEST AND COMPELLING TELLING..

"An exceptional act of affirmation and generosity..
STORY STUDIO LIVE 2022: Aotearoa

New Zealand wide

01/08/2022 - 28/09/2022

"Proves how invaluable the performing arts can be in teaching right across the curriculum..
WEDNESDAY TO COME

Wellington

30/07/2022 - 20/08/2022

"Stellar performances in Kiwi classic..

"A revelation to those who have never seen it and a next-level experience for those who have..
BURROWERS or The Secret Society of Notable Nuisances

Wellington

14/07/2022 - 23/07/2022

"Transports us back to the perceptions of childhood..
DREAM GARDEN

Wellington

09/07/2022 - 10/07/2022

"Lyrical acrobatics and exquisite whimsy..