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.
MRS WISHY-WASHY
Auckland
28/09/2013 - 24/10/2017
"High energy, little pay-off..
"Perfect school holiday entertainment..
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THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Auckland
08/06/2013 - 15/06/2013
"Restorative theatre..
HAMLET
Auckland
07/06/2013 - 15/06/2013
"Extreme choices..
DAI HENWOOD in ADAPT OR DAI
Wellington, Auckland
29/04/2013 - 11/05/2013
"Double-happy laughter experience..
FAIRLY FUNNY
Auckland
03/05/2013 - 03/05/2013
"Two of our finest: a double shot of integrity, experience and talent..
REVEREND JELLIE in CUT TO THE CHASE
Auckland
27/04/2013 - 04/05/2013
"A laugh a minute..
MICHELE A’COURT in STUFF I FORGOT TO TELL MY DAUGHTER
Invercargill, Havelock North, Auckland, Wellington, Dunedin, Bay of Islands, Nelson
27/04/2013 - 06/04/2017
"Self-deprecating, honest, forth-right, confident, grounded and bloody funny..
"Everyone leaves the theatre with a smile..
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TERRY WILLIAMS in THE GRIN REAPER
Auckland
27/04/2013 - 04/05/2013
"Attractive, charming, incredibly well prepared and very funny..
FROST/NIXON
Auckland
25/04/2013 - 25/04/2013
"Fantastic fiction..
CLOUD 9
Auckland
02/04/2013 - 13/04/2013
"I'm on it..
"Unity, cohesion and an exciting shared vision..
THE BALLAD OF PONDLIFE MCGURK
Auckland
09/03/2013 - 25/03/2013
"An unforgettable journey..
HUMMINGBIRD
Auckland
07/03/2013 - 10/03/2013
"A brittle chamber work of genuine maturity..
THE MAN WHO PLANTED TREES
Wellington, Christchurch, Auckland, New Plymouth
09/03/2013 - 06/09/2015
"Uplifting, edifying, impressive..
"Gentle and meandering..
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I HEART ALICE HEART I
Auckland
07/03/2013 - 10/03/2013
"Deliciously funny, sublime and political journey – with cake..
KING LEAR
Auckland
01/03/2013 - 30/03/2013
"Richness of text shines in King Lear..
"Game of Thrones..
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THE REMARKABLE DIARY OF SAMUEL PEPYS
Auckland
01/03/2013 - 03/03/2013
"Excellence, generosity, beautiful harmony and bawdiness..
THE ROAD THAT WASN'T THERE
Wellington, Auckland, Christchurch - Canterbury, Dunedin, Nelson, Wairarapa, Tauranga, Hawea, Invercargill
12/02/2013 - 01/08/2020
"Magical storytelling with one problematic element..
"Combines all the very best parts of theatre and storytelling..
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BUS STOP
Auckland
20/02/2013 - 24/02/2013
"Any minute now…..
"Courageous look at a complex issue..
GOBSMACKED: SHOWBIZ AND DATING
Dunedin, Auckland, Wellington
08/02/2013 - 10/03/2013
"Polished and utterly hilarious..
"Talent in spades; could use a director..
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Comic Interludes: The Romance of Flavio and Isabella
Auckland
21/12/2012 - 21/12/2012
"A magical exercise in theatre fusion..
CRIMES OF THE HEART
Auckland
21/11/2012 - 24/11/2012
"Funny, sad, dysfunctional and candid..
EIGENGRAU
Auckland, Wellington
25/09/2012 - 24/11/2012
"Tight, effective, intelligent and fervent directing of assertive, authentic and raw performances..
"Deconstructed modern romcom engages well at emotional level..
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Jacques Brel is Alive and Well and Living in Paris
Auckland
09/11/2012 - 17/11/2012
"Bittersweet joy in sublimely human capturing of lost souls and despair..
