Review Archive
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.
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..



