Review Archive
Lexie has been active in the professional performing arts since 1970, joining the Theatre Corporate company under Raymond Hawthorne in 1976 where she remained as a member of the company until April 1979. Following seasons at The Fortune and at Centrepoint she formed her own company based at Whanganui’s Four Seasons Theatre specialising in performances of New Zealand works in schools for young people as well as main bill productions.
Moving then to Kirikiriroa Hamilton and later to Ōtautahi Christchurch, Lexie formed Troupers Live Theatrix based at The Arts Centre of Christchurch and, while continuing to tour schools, she created many main bill productions and, until 1998, ran a small theatre school.
Lexie also trained as a dancer, initially with John Casserley (contemporary) in the 1960’s, Dorothea and Bryan Ashbridge (classical ballet) in the 1970’s, and she often worked with Russell Kerr in a range of roles at Southern Ballet in the 1980’s and 1990’s.
Lexie was a member of the Christchurch Theatre Trust Board for eight years, acted in numerous productions at the Court Theatre, completed four terms on the NZ Theatre Federation National Executive and eight years as Deputy Chair of the Christchurch Community Arts Council.
Following funded travel to the UK, EU, US, and Canada to study Shakespeare production, she settled in Auckland and took up the role of Business Manager at Auckland University’s Maidment Theatre. After eight years in this role Lexie was appointed Senior Lecturer at Auckland University of Technology leading the Event Management academic programmes until 2016 when she added the role of Academic Equity Leader to her portfolio.
Lexie began her reviewing work with the Whanganui Chronicle in 1980 and has since reviewed for The Listener, The Christchurch Star, The Christchurch Press (five years) and for www.gaynz.com. She has reviewed for Theatreview since 2009 and has been Associate Editor (Auckland) since 2022.
Lexie is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (London), has a master’s degree with first class honours in Creative and Performing Arts (MCPA) from The University of Auckland, a Diploma in Education, and Diploma in Teaching from Massey University, and was named a University of Canterbury Outstanding Graduate 150th Anniversary in 2022 and a University of Canterbury Notable Alumni in 2021.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
Essence Unfolding
Auckland
19/09/2024 - 21/09/2024
"A testament to the power of art in helping people work and walk through the dark..
"Green’s outstanding physical journey drenched in the imagery of hope, of optimism, of promise...
Tōiri
Auckland
16/09/2024 - 16/09/2024
"We’ve come too far not to go further, we’ve done too much not to do more...
MĀORI KRISHNA + ALTARNATIVE
Auckland, Whangarei, Wellington
11/09/2024 - 05/04/2025
"Fresh, timely and complementary responses to a timeless quest..
"An immersive, hilarious and unsettling glimpse into the world of cult healing..
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NEKE
Wellington, Auckland
09/06/2021 - 14/09/2024
"Gathers confidently and respectfully from a wakahuia of ngā Toi..
"A brilliant show that invites us to reflect on what truly matters...
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Our Own Little Mess
Wellington, Auckland
22/02/2024 - 03/08/2024
"Beautiful work, the performances exquisite, balanced and nuanced..
"Sets a very high bar for NZ Festival shows worth going to; deserves a long life and to travel far…..
Te Ao Hou
Auckland
23/07/2024 - 27/07/2024
"Cohesive, clearly collaborative, rich in content and swamped in manaaki..
Recovery Street - Mai I Te Po Ki Te Ao Marama
Auckland
02/07/2024 - 06/07/2024
"The stories are riveting, exquisitely shared, redolent with hope, and have components that are seriously funny...
Prima Facie
Auckland, Tauranga, Rotorua, New Plymouth, Palmerston North
18/06/2024 - 22/07/2025
"An important play that emphasises how much theatre can be a vehicle for change..
"Experience this fantastic production and make the change..
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The Sun and The Wind
Tauranga, Auckland
28/07/2023 - 24/03/2024
"Perfect performances enable audiences to consider the effects of intergenerational trauma..
"Inspired writing, great performances, and totally committed storytelling..
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O Le Pepelo, Le Gaoi Ma Le Pala'ai | The Liar, the Thief and the Coward
Wellington, Auckland
14/06/2023 - 23/03/2024
"Complex, rich, funny, and (at times) disturbing, 'O Le Pepelo, Le Gaoi, Ma Le Pala’ai ~ The Liar, The Thief,…..
"A rollercoaster from being shocked, to hysterically laughing to fighting back tears..
The Perfect Image
Auckland
20/02/2024 - 24/02/2024
"An excellent script and delightful performances show Sam Brooks at his very best..
REDUNDANT - JESS KARAMJEET
Auckland
16/02/2024 - 17/02/2024
"A fabulously queer evening, deliciously sexy, and outrageously hilarious..
LEGACY 7
Auckland
07/02/2024 - 10/02/2024
"An evening of happy/sad/moving/funny shows that is, without doubt, the best 'Legacy' yet...
Tales of an Urban Indian
Auckland
11/01/2024 - 14/01/2024
"'Tales of an Urban Indian' superbly conceived, stunningly written, and uncompromising in its delivery...
We've Got So Much To Talk About
Wellington, Lyttelton, Auckland
13/09/2023 - 10/12/2023
"Stockwell Outstanding in 'We've Got So Much to Talk About'...
"A unifying exploration of the sensation and circumstance to do with being a mother...
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Wrestling with Wregret
Auckland
14/11/2023 - 18/11/2023
"Wilson-Kokiri disrupts the fourth wall and opens the door to the possible..
Skin Hunger - Solo
Hastings, Auckland, New Plymouth
27/10/2023 - 15/06/2024
"A cathartic experience of self-expression, self-exploration and self-forgiveness..
"‘Skin Hunger-Solo’, seen through a new lens, should be on your ‘must-see’ list. It's great work!..
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Live Live Cinema: Night of the Living Dead
Auckland
02/11/2023 - 12/11/2023
"‘Night of the Living Dead’ is outstanding, magnificent, disturbing, weird, with top-quality performances & great direction,..
HALF OF THE SKY
Global, New Plymouth, Rotorua, Auckland
20/10/2022 - 12/09/2023
"Fantastic writing, great direction, superb acting..
"A treat to be gifted such simple yet stunning storytelling..
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Mike and Virginia
Auckland
31/08/2023 - 10/09/2023
"Charming, complex, bloody funny, often moving..
I Want To Be Happy
Auckland, Wellington
18/08/2023 - 30/09/2023
"Leaves its audience very happy at having engaged with another Nightsong treasure..
"A transformative experience, a total delight, undeniably emotionally moving, gut-wrenchingly funny..
Moe Miti
Auckland
22/08/2023 - 27/08/2023
"An absolutely wonderful work that deserves the opportunity of a longer season..
DIRTY WORK - An Ode to Joy
Auckland, Nelson, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga, Hamilton, New Plymouth
16/06/2023 - 25/05/2024
"Joy is at the heart of this feel-good comedy and important social critique..
"Sisyphus myth hits home hard yet something doesn’t quite land..
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