Richard Mays

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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

THE WAR ARTIST

Palmerston North

14/03/2014 - 12/04/2014

"Compelling fitting tribute..

"Surprising depths..
AS YOU LIKE IT

Palmerston North

06/03/2014 - 15/03/2014

"Awash in environmental ambience..
THEY SAW A THYLACINE

Wellington, Palmerston North, Auckland

03/02/2014 - 22/02/2014

"They also came and conquered..

"Powerful performance of a moving story..

More reviews
DARK DEEDS

Palmerston North

30/01/2014 - 01/02/2014

"Entertaining, offbeat intrigue..

"Unreal alternatives..
STOCKCARS: The Musical

Palmerston North

02/11/2013 - 14/12/2013

"A bit rough, rude, crude and raw but with plenty of roar..

"Corruption in sport and local body politics..
PENINSULA

Palmerston North

20/07/2013 - 24/08/2013

"Fluent, funny, intelligent, evocative, multi-layered story-telling..

"A smooth assurance and a richness of interactions..
DANCING TILL WE DROP

Wellington, Palmerston North

17/04/2013 - 27/04/2013

"Substantial if ephemeral fare clearly explored and expressed..

"Absorbing, thought-provoking, often compelling, always adventurous..
MANAWA

Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North

15/09/2012 - 14/03/2013

"Vital, intelligent, fluent, funny, gutsy, hard-hitting and impressively realised..

"Striking contrasts..

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The Tempest

Palmerston North

01/03/2013 - 09/03/2013

"Attractive and captivating..

"Playful use of Steampunk..
He Reo Aroha

Palmerston North, Wellington, Otaki, Christchurch, Auckland, Feilding

09/03/2010 - 14/03/2013

"Dexterity, intelligence, warmth, passion, humour, and a fine musicality..

"A magical piece of theatre..

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THE MOTOR CAMP

Palmerston North

03/11/2012 - 15/12/2012

"More to these archetypical characters than first meets the eye..

"Clever psychology within high entertainment..
WELL HUNG

Palmerston North

08/09/2012 - 13/10/2012

"Still edible if a little gamey..

"Retro cop caper a joyfully reconstructed jaunt..
AT THE WAKE

Palmerston North

28/07/2012 - 25/08/2012

"A fine new play..

"Insightful, compelling and humorous piece about life, love and loss..
Party with the Aunties

Dunedin, Nelson, , Feilding, Wellington, New Plymouth, Paekākāriki, Christchurch

09/04/2011 - 14/11/2019

"The classic Kiwi shindig, theatricalised..

"A fabulous night that leaves you feeling joyful..

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ENLIGHTENMENT

Palmerston North

09/06/2012 - 14/07/2012

"Damned good, skilful storytelling..

"Fluctuating emotional dynamics in high quality production of a seriously good play..
YOU CAN ALWAYS HAND THEM BACK

Palmerston North

14/04/2012 - 26/05/2012

"Left wishing for something a little more profound..

"Good value..
MICHAEL JAMES MANAIA

Wellington, Palmerston North, Auckland, Dunedin

25/02/2012 - 16/02/2013

"Play’s power unchanged..

"Takes no prisoners..

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Much Ado About Nothing

Palmerston North

09/03/2012 - 17/03/2012

"Wonderfully fluent 'Ado' makes a real splash..
Hits of 83

Palmerston North

05/11/2011 - 17/12/2011

"Clever concept needs more work..

"Ingenious production of thin plotlines..
The River

Palmerston North

02/11/2011 - 12/11/2011

"Epic quality to elaborate, multi-faceted river saga..
The Thirty Nine Steps

Palmerston North

10/09/2011 - 08/10/2011

"Clever Dicks in melodramatic derring-do..

"Thriller comedy balance enjoyably achieved..
Le Sud

Palmerston North

16/07/2011 - 27/08/2011

"‘Sud’ missile on target as an irrepressible comic fantasy..

"Often very funny romp nearly always entertaining..