Review Archive
Born: Oldham England
Came to NZ same years as the Beatles.
Educated VUW. Degrees Ll.B and MPP.
At university did much stage work in revue with Roger Hall, Cathy Downes and John Clarke; also at Downstage and, later, Circa Theatre.
Did ground-breaking satire work on TV (Edwards on Saturday). Career in television ended after defamation action taken by a highly-placed politician over a short but pithy item on the show.
Wrote extensively for the Listener, the Dominion, Sunday Times and various lifestyle magazines. Spent 16 years writing the Dominion’s Saturday editorials (1985-2001) that took a mildly satirical line – plus a byline column “As it happens”.
Musician (keyboards and vocals) who once travelled around the world on ocean going liners.
Wrote and performed incidental music for and appeared on an episode of TVNZ’s internationally award-winning series Legacy.
Worked as a private sector/public service lawyer and as a government crown entity CEO. He has an Ll.B and a Master of Public Policy degree.
Satirical play Meltdown was performed at Circa during a comedy festival.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
So Honest It Aches
Wellington
21/11/2025 - 22/11/2025
"An impressive laughter hit-rate, moments of clear-headed sincerity: robustly impressive ..
Noye's Fludde
Wellington
17/10/2025 - 18/10/2025
"A powerful army of lucid sound and vision that is wholly captivating..
The Monster in the Maze
Christchurch, Wellington, Auckland
05/09/2025 - 20/09/2025
"A unique story about us given power and heft through the magic of music..
"Many disparate elements triumphantly melded into a breathtaking whole..
More reviews
Colour and Light
Wellington
04/09/2025 - 13/09/2025
"A bouncily joyous assertion of the power of humans to triumph over adversity..
Mamma Mia! The Musical
Wellington
13/08/2025 - 31/08/2025
"Mamma Mia! dazzles with sequins, song, and sun-kissed vibes..
"A beautifully balanced and heartfelt Mamma Mia..
La bohème
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
29/05/2025 - 06/07/2025
"A visual feast and excellent performances...
"An opera of relevance to modern to NZ..
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Shakespeare In Love
Wellington
19/03/2025 - 29/03/2025
"Excellent and satisfying – a team effort on a grand scale..
Thank You, Ten - A Musical Celebration
Wellington
19/11/2024 - 23/11/2024
"Their happiness is our happiness and it is considerable..
Suitcase Show
Wellington, Nelson, Hamilton, Auckland, Hawea, Dunedin
29/02/2024 - 12/07/2025
"Immensely watchable, intricately crafted, finely honed, a unique mix of unease and innocence...
"Exhilarating, macabre and whizz bang..
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TOSCA 2024
Wellington
11/09/2024 - 15/09/2024
"Brilliant casting and gripping pace..
"Tosca the heroine a star turn in Wellington opera..
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LOVE AT TIMES
Nelson
16/03/2024 - 23/03/2024
"To work for peace, is to uproot war from ourselves..
"The war grinds on but the dramatic voices will not be stilled..
The Best Man Show
Wellington
07/03/2024 - 09/03/2024
"Offers slick, safe, fun, bonkers interactive joy..
"A powerful and welcome antidote to the nauseating “Love you bro” beer commercial..
Dr Drama Makes a Musical
Wellington, Auckland
19/09/2023 - 04/11/2023
"An innovative show crammed with many thought-provoking ideas..
Mamma Mia !
Wellington
07/09/2023 - 16/09/2023
"The entire cast communicates the essence of the show..
Bluebeard's Castle
Wellington, Christchurch
10/08/2023 - 12/08/2023
"Exceptional production of a dark love story..
"Magnificent performances of a multi-layered masterpiece...
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Public Service Announcements: Election 2023
Wellington
29/07/2023 - 26/08/2023
"Delivers high spirited political romp..
"Piling in boots and all – is that all we have left?..
Destiny’s Cousin: The Reunion Spectacular
Wellington
20/06/2023 - 24/06/2023
"A big show on a tiny stage that the estimable cast can be well proud of..
Pirates!
Lower Hutt, Raumati, Palmerston North, Wellington, Upper Hutt
12/05/2023 - 21/05/2023
"Spiffingly good fun, genuinely rollicking, tuneful and a super intelligent update..
Best Foods Comedy Gala 2023
Wellington
06/05/2023 - 06/05/2023
"“Please do get along to as many of the longer shows as you can”..
Cringeworthy - Swinging in the 60s!
Wellington, Palmerston North
01/04/2023 - 17/03/2024
"Bingo for boomers: A sashay through the 60s at a thousand miles an hour..
"Smooth, confident, quality pop – enthralling and memorable..
BIG J : A New Legacy
Wellington
18/01/2023 - 28/01/2023
"A heartfelt vision of the humanity we all might share..
THE GRIEGOL
Hawea, Wellington, Tauranga
14/04/2021 - 28/10/2025
"Enthusiastically applauded by its audience, many of whom are deeply affected..
"Highly polished production strikes the bullseye with horror and humour..
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BACK TO SQUARE ONE?
Wellington, Whangarei, Dunedin
20/10/2021 - 19/10/2022
"A reminder of the eternal value and range of theatre..
"A WEAVING TOGETHER..
More reviews
