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.
PUBLIC WORKS and THE LANDEATERS
Wellington
18/01/2017 - 29/01/2017
"The epitome of performance art..
"Inspired works tug at our collective conscience..
BILLY AND THE CURSE OF THE FALLING LIMBS
Wellington
24/02/2016 - 10/12/2016
"Innocence, eccentricity and downright villainy delivered with confidence and skill..
"Appealing for all ages..
More reviews
MUSIQUE ROMANTIQUE
Wellington
29/11/2016 - 03/12/2016
"An evening of romance and fine music..
"Skilful, spirited and heartfelt..
SCARLET & GOLD
Wellington
25/11/2016 - 22/12/2016
"An intimate epic..
"Timely, relevant, engaging, entertaining and thought-provoking..
GALATHEA Into The Bush
Wellington
23/11/2016 - 03/12/2016
"Engaging update of a classic story..
"A celebration of diversity..
ROGER HALL’S JACK AND THE BEANSTALK 2016
Wellington
19/11/2016 - 14/01/2017
"Jack offers ‘awesome’ pantomime..
"Wellingtonians get the good laugh they need..
LUNGS
Wellington
22/10/2016 - 19/11/2016
"Unique and intriguing..
"Engaging, exciting, entertaining and vital..
CENTRAL
Wellington
15/10/2016 - 12/11/2016
"Thought-provoking theatre..
"Well-matured, vintage Armstrong..
SISTER ACT The Musical
Wellington
14/09/2016 - 24/09/2016
"A polished performance..
"Hits all the right spots..
LAST LEGS
Wellington, Dunedin
10/09/2016 - 27/05/2017
"Hall again puts spotlight on later years..
"New-minted jokes to make us smile and sometimes a real revelation..
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HOLD ME
Wellington
06/09/2016 - 10/09/2016
"A surreal and fascinating look at relationships..
"Enigmatic and intriguing..
CORIANDER
Wellington, Dunedin
24/08/2016 - 18/03/2017
"Quirky, original, good clean fun..
"Coriander strikes a yoga pose and wins the Bats audience..
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RICHARD II
Wellington
18/08/2016 - 27/08/2016
"A Shakespeare for Brexit times..
"Fresh, fruity and pertinent..
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MOM (Meet Our Mum)
Wellington
09/08/2016 - 13/08/2016
"Commitment and energy lifts MOM..
"Less than the sum of its parts..
VANYA AND SONIA AND MASHA AND SPIKE
Wellington
06/08/2016 - 03/09/2016
"Chekovian mash-up provides plenty of delights..
"A wittily insightful play impeccably done..
LEGENDARY DIVAS
Christchurch, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Wellington, Wanaka, Nelson
01/03/2015 - 16/02/2019
"Fills our heads and hearts with music..
"For old school song lovers everywhere..
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A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Wellington
13/07/2016 - 23/07/2016
"A clever and innovative pared-down version..
"Delivered with a light and fluent touch..
DEAD DAYS
Wellington
16/07/2016 - 30/07/2016
"Festival allows young casts to shine #3..
"Astute comic timing..
LIKE SEX
Wellington
15/07/2016 - 30/07/2016
"Festival allows young casts to shine #2..
"Every scene is a gem refracting a truth..
BLOODY HELL JESUS (GET YOUR OWN FRIENDS)
Wellington
15/07/2016 - 30/07/2016
"Festival allows young casts to shine #1..
"A welcome reflection-cum-insight..
DUST PILGRIM – A Tale of Freedom
Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Invercargill
04/06/2015 - 03/05/2018
"An audio-visual treat that respects the intelligence of its audience..
"Dusty yes, but fresh and original..
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STAGE KISS
Wellington
02/07/2016 - 30/07/2016
"Skilled writing makes up for slight premise..
"A production of two halves..
MILKY BITS
Auckland, Wellington
14/06/2016 - 02/07/2016
"A highly entertaining and therapeutic gift..
"Original and innovative..
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