Review Archive
Deirdre Tarrant CNZM founded Footnote Dance in 1985, and led it to become the national treasure of choreography and dance exploration it now is. Her own ballet background began in Wellington with Jeane Horne and the Royal New Zealand Ballet. A QE2 study grant took her overseas to dance and on her return she choreographed a number of works for the RNZB. She has developed many works for Footnote and led creative change as the company has evolved over 29 years, including Pick up Sticks (New Zealand Festival), Outside the Square and War in Paradise. Deirdre has recently retired from her role as Artistic Director of Footnote and also from her role as an international examiner for the Royal Academy of Dance. She is Director of Tarrant Dance Studios and the Deirdre Tarrant Dance Theatre, a youth company with a commitment to integrating dance as a vital part of the Wellington community. Deirdre was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for her services to the community in 2000, a Distinguished Alumni of Victoria University in 2006 and received an Absolutely Positively Wellingtonian award and was Arts Wellingtonian of the year 2012. In 2013 she was made a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit for services to contemporary dance. She has reviewed dance works for Capital Times, Radio New Zealand and Theatreview for a number of years.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
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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Home, Land & Sea
Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch
24/07/2025 - 09/08/2025
"Evolving boundaries between ballet and contemporary dance, nature and culture, and a yearning collective gaze that leaves us wondering...
"Grounded, striking and impressive cross of contemporary & ballet- a beautiful celebration of 'home'...
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KA MUA KA MURI
Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington
25/07/2024 - 05/06/2025
"Tradition colliding with innovation through a wonderful mastery of movement, sound and lighting...
"Culturally profound and visually captivating..
Braiding the Land
Wellington
04/06/2025 - 07/06/2025
"A symbolic journey of the imagination, spirit and land, speaking to us all...
"Inspires empathy with struggle, joy, perseverance, solitude, cohesion, memory, strength and love..
THE FIREBIRD with MY BRILLIANT CAREER
Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North, Invercargill, Dunedin, Christchurch
30/04/2025 - 01/06/2025
"A perfect autumnal experience; effortless, mesmerising and spectacular...
"Challenging duality of character and a darkly compelling work with a powerful message...
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A Master of None: Brown Fala
Wellington, Christchurch
14/02/2025 - 30/10/2025
"Embraces courageous conversations, and the power of healing and unity..
"Brave and confronting, inspires joy and hope..
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New Zealand School of Dance Performance Season 2024
Wellington
20/11/2024 - 30/11/2024
"The cast of 15 dance with enthusiasm and commitment..
"Strong dancing , stylish presentation, great lighting..
A Midsummer Night's Dream - Royal New Zealand Ballet
Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, Palmerston North, Auckland
12/10/2024 - 12/11/2024
"Curiosity piqued, this perfect Christmas confection presents our zesty national ballet company...
"The perfect storm of enchantment..
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IN/TENSE
Wellington
04/07/2024 - 04/07/2024
"An important work, a voice we need to listen to..
WHENUA
Wellington, Auckland
08/03/2024 - 12/04/2024
"The dislocations of contemporary life..
"Questions identity and ties to land...
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The Way We Wilt
Wellington
05/03/2024 - 09/03/2024
"The temporary nature of all things..
"An exploration bravely taken and staged..
Manage Your Expectations
Wellington, Whangarei, Dunedin
27/02/2024 - 20/09/2025
"Bold, intelligent, emotional, visceral, unmissable..
"Complexity in every aspect of this experience..
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LUNACY
Wellington
16/02/2024 - 17/02/2024
"Certainly an hour of escapism..
NZ School of Dance Performance Season 2023
Paraparaumu, Wellington
16/11/2023 - 02/12/2023
"Young and optimistic mood..
"Classical season: a joy to see their talent..
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Lightscapes
Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland
27/07/2023 - 12/08/2023
"Dancers dancers dancers you are symbolic and meaningful. ..
"Entering its eighth decade the company is clearly in good heart..
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Romeo and Juliet 2023
Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin, Christchurch, Palmerston North
04/05/2023 - 03/06/2023
"A gripping romantic tale...
"Devote attention to the company’s past as well as to its future...
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MY GRANDFATHER IS A CANOE
Wellington
24/02/2023 - 26/02/2023
"Connecting the waters, the oceans, the heavens in poetry, script, personal opinion and song, we are the wayfarers..
RICH PEOPLE CRY TOO (and other lessons I learnt from Telenovela)
Wellington
19/02/2023 - 21/02/2023
"This clever succinct and smart theatre piece needs to be seen...
NZSD Performance Season 2022
Wellington
16/11/2022 - 26/11/2022
"Contemporary Dance Programme Exhilarates..
"Memorable! Arresting!..
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Tutus on Tour 2022
Dunedin, Christchurch, Auckland, Tauranga, Napier, Palmerston North, Wellington
07/10/2022 - 09/11/2022
"An Eclectic Programme With Flare and Versatility..
"Tutus a mixed bill..
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CINDERELLA
Wellington, Auckland, Napier, Christchurch
03/08/2022 - 28/08/2022
"Cinderella - what ‘happily ever after’ means in the twenty-first century..
"Cinderella - stylish and glamorous, with the feeling of 60’s retro Chanel and Dior..
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UNDOING
Wellington
07/04/2022 - 30/07/2022
"Undoing - a plethora of dance conventions..
"Raises laughs, opens emotions, alerts us to human possibilities and frailties..
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New Zealand School of Dance 2021 Graduation Season
Wellington, Paraparaumu
12/11/2021 - 27/11/2021
"Outstanding testament to resilience...
"Dance graduates step into the future with uplifting programme..
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