Review Archive

Filter by:

Ewen Coleman, awarded the QSM in 2024, has been involved in theatre as a director and producer for more than 40 years.

He has served on several committees in various positions including secretary, president and treasurer. He has been a member of the Wellington District Theatre Federation since the 1970s and has held all executive committee member positions. He has been a member of the Wellington Repertory Theatre since 1976, was made a Life Member in 1989 and is the current Secretary. He has been involved in the executive committee of Theatre New Zealand and the Association of New Zealand Drama Adjudicators. He was made a Life Member of Theatre New Zealand in 1996.

He travels to direct shows for societies and runs technical workshops to help hundreds of actors. Mr Coleman has been a trustee and current Treasurer of Theatre Archives New Zealand since 2007. He was also theatre reviewer for the Evening Post then the Dominion Post for 30 years.

Welcome to the review archive.

Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.

Request a review
A TIME LIKE THIS

Wellington

24/04/2018 - 28/04/2018

"Novel approach results in one-dimensional play..

"Not dramatically engaging..

SEVEN DEADLY STUNTS

Dunedin, Wellington, Invercargill, Wanaka

17/04/2018 - 10/11/2018

"Great stuff for a small community..

"Funny, scary, silly, saucy fun..

More reviews

SPRING AWAKENING

Wellington

11/04/2018 - 21/04/2018

"A musical that bursts into life in the second-half..

"A risque, raw reminder..

THE LIE

Wellington

07/04/2018 - 05/05/2018

"A fascinating and intriguing play..

"Commendably crisp, a stunning finish..

MOVERS

Wellington, Hamilton

05/04/2018 - 29/11/2018

"Funny, compassionate and thought-provoking..

"Rolls along effortlessly like a well-tuned van..

More reviews

US/THEM

Wellington

16/03/2018 - 18/03/2018

"An amazing piece of theatre about appalling events..

"A unique perspective..

PETER AND THE WOLF

Wellington, Auckland

09/11/2017 - 18/03/2018

"Modern puppet show tells simple story in a complex way..

"Mystery and magical adventure in full visual and aural splendour..

More reviews

SWITZERLAND

Wellington

17/03/2018 - 14/04/2018

"Tale of the Talented Ms Highsmith brought to life in entertaining fashion..

"Extraordinary richness, wit and slivers of menace..

AT THE WAKE

Wellington

21/03/2018 - 31/03/2018

"A brilliant execution of an incredibly insightful and original play..

"A dynamic fusion of light and dark, drama and humour..

BARBER SHOP CHRONICLES

Wellington

24/02/2018 - 04/03/2018

"Uses real life observations to create fascinating insight..

"High calibre, superbly polished and performed..

JOAN

Wellington, Auckland

20/01/2018 - 24/02/2019

"In the Light of Day..

"Leaves you entertained and moved and perhaps thankful..

More reviews

CYNTHIA & GERTIE GO BAROQUE!

Palmerston North, Wellington

20/09/2017 - 23/12/2017

"Go for baroque, Kiwi style..

"Funny, frolicking and fabulous..

More reviews

TAKING THE HIGH GROUND

Wellington

05/12/2017 - 09/12/2017

"Women on Top..

"Elevated history is dramatically dynamic..

DESPERATE HUTTWIVES

Lower Hutt, Wellington

29/11/2017 - 16/12/2017

"Plenty to delight and amuse..

"Desperate times for Huttwives..

More reviews

WEAVE - Yarns with New Zealanders

Wellington, Auckland, Rotorua

04/04/2017 - 11/04/2019

"A rich tapestry of contemporary Kiwi culture and identity..

"A highly polished and confident solo show..

More reviews

MARINE SNOW

Wellington

16/11/2017 - 25/11/2017

"An absurdist tale of love, fleas and the struggle for connection..

"Scary, charming and sensuous with beautiful visual metaphors..

PETER PAN The Pantomime

Wellington

18/11/2017 - 13/01/2018

"Bright, energetic and full of fun..

"Panto genre refreshed to give this family tradition a whole new lease of life..

BODY DOUBLE

Wellington

09/11/2017 - 25/11/2017

"Richly provocative..

"Stop-start nature undermines Body..

More reviews

VENUS IN FUR

Wellington

11/11/2017 - 09/12/2017

"Impressive multifaceted performances..

"A cleverly constructed play, brilliantly executed..

More reviews

LOCKE

Wellington

26/10/2017 - 04/11/2017

"Actor the key to Locke..

"An emotion-twisting and mind-bending journey..

Public Service Announcements STRANGER POLITICS

Wellington

12/09/2017 - 16/09/2017

"Offers light relief from the general election..

"Levity to alleviate the intensity..

THE NIGHT MECHANICS

Hamilton, Wellington

30/08/2017 - 13/12/2018

"Interesting moral dilemmas not deeply explored..

"Tackles thorny issue of water rights..

More reviews

IN THE WARS

Wellington

16/08/2017 - 26/08/2017

"Innovative In The Wars captivating..

"Deeply insightful, profoundly humane and not to be missed..

Wellingon City Council
Auckland City Council
Aotearoa Gaming Trust
PatronBase