Review Archive
Barbara Frame lives in Dunedin. Her MA thesis focused on the work of English playwright Arnold Wesker, and in the 1980s she worked briefly at the (then) Drama Department at Otago University as a tutor. She has reviewed theatre professionally since 1995, and is a member of the Ōtepoti Dunedin Theatre Reviewers’ Collective.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
Alice in Wonderland: A Pantomime
Dunedin
04/12/2025 - 14/12/2025
"Fresh and contemporary entertainment..
"Performers radiate aplomb, enthusiasm..
Lords and Ladies by Terry Pratchett
Dunedin
18/09/2025 - 04/10/2025
"Pratchett’s humour translated to an ‘endlessly funny’ play..
"Humour and fun to be had in ambitious production..
Every Brilliant Thing
Dunedin, Waitati
10/09/2025 - 21/09/2025
"Funny, touching, thoughtful - Review 2 (Cooper)..
"Intimacy and audience rapport - Review 1 (Moir)..
The Taming of the Shrew
Dunedin
10/07/2025 - 19/07/2025
"Retelling recontextualises a classic..
"Re-gendering a macho bully..
In Other Words
Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin
03/09/2024 - 28/03/2025
"Moving testament to love severely tested..
"Performed with technical expertise..
More reviews
Rare Public Appearance of Miss Georgette Heyer
Dunedin
12/10/2024 - 16/03/2025
"Wit and wisdom combined in uplifting play..
"Highly entertaining autobiography..
More reviews
Twelfth Night (or What You Will)
Dunedin
28/11/2024 - 07/12/2024
"Globe’s exuberant production a special treat..
"A celebration of Dunedin..
Yellow Hut
Dunedin
19/03/2024 - 23/03/2024
"Yellow Hut great start to the Globe’s year..
"This show is a slow burn..
The Unluckiest Magician
Dunedin, Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington
19/03/2024 - 20/02/2026
"50 rewarding and occasionally hilarious minutes..
Peter Pan
Dunedin
30/11/2023 - 10/12/2023
"Cracking momentum..
5 Lesbians Eating a Quiche
Dunedin
14/09/2023 - 24/09/2023
"A tasty slice of fun..
Saved
Dunedin
22/06/2023 - 02/07/2023
"Violence essential to impact..
"A play that still has the power to shock..
As You Like It
Dunedin
18/05/2023 - 27/05/2023
"AS YOU LIKE IT ..
"Skilful integration of musical elements enhances the emotional depth and comedic moments, eliciting laughter, introspection and appreciation..
WINDING UP (ATC on tour)
Dunedin
06/03/2023 - 11/03/2023
"From the good life to funeral plans..
"A comic two-hander with ideal pairing..
I Didn't Invite You Here to Lecture Me
Dunedin, Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland
13/10/2022 - 29/05/2025
"A fine actor, a great writer, and laughs galore. You should go...
"Hilarious interactions with eight different lecturers..
More reviews
THE STRANGEST OF ANGELS
Christchurch, Dunedin
27/05/2022 - 13/10/2022
"Bold and successful production..
"A splendid opening to Arts Festival..
More reviews
Matt and Ben
Dunedin
26/05/2022 - 28/05/2022
"New theatre company makes a splash with rollicking comedy..
"Polished, Funny and Believable..
THE MOUSETRAP
Dunedin
19/05/2022 - 28/05/2022
"Cast Delivers Twists, Intrigue in Christie’s Classic Whodunit..
"The Secret Lives On..
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Dunedin
03/02/2022 - 13/02/2022
"Rain fails to stop play..
"Admirably succinct yet ebullient..
THE PINK HAMMER
Dunedin
02/12/2021 - 11/12/2021
"Confident hands guide a funny, absorbing tale..
"Undemanding, highly entertaining NZ comedy..
More reviews
THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER
Dunedin
05/11/2020 - 08/11/2020
"A triumph..
"A luminous, compassionate production..
NO EXIT
Dunedin
02/11/2020 - 07/11/2020
"Unsettles audience to make them reflect..
"Captivating challenges..
THE RAFT
Dunedin
17/09/2020 - 26/09/2020
"Intense and disturbing..
"Dramatic, moving, engrossing and finally uplifting..
