Review Archive

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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.

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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..

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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..

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THE STRANGEST OF ANGELS

Christchurch, Dunedin

27/05/2022 - 13/10/2022

"Bold and successful production..

"A splendid opening to Arts Festival..

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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..

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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..

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