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.
SHAKESPEARE SCENES 2012
Auckland
05/10/2012 - 05/10/2012
"Astonishing work..
The Sex Show
Auckland
28/02/2011 - 13/10/2012
"The little death and it’s aftermath..
"Brave, risqué ensemble work: take an open mind..
THE GIFT
Auckland
13/09/2012 - 06/10/2012
"Challenging, riveting play delivered with clarity, charm and class..
"Danger when odd couples connect..
More reviews
Motherlock / pURe
Auckland
18/09/2012 - 22/09/2012
"Sex and drugs but no rock ’n’ roll..
HYPOTHESIS ONE: A Compound Reaction from New Zealand Samoans
Auckland
11/09/2012 - 15/09/2012
"A magnificent work, unique and profound..
Tiny Spectacle / Shitty Lyricism
Wellington, Auckland
21/08/2012 - 15/09/2012
"Brazenly intellectual, expressionistic, blunt, emotionally rich and splendidly performed..
"Intelligent writing, lively performance..
More reviews
THE PANTRY SHELF
Auckland
16/08/2012 - 25/08/2012
"All’s fare in madcap battle for shoppers’ carts..
"Rich and fulfilling with unexpected delights and eminently digestible..
NØUGHTY GIRLS
Auckland
16/08/2012 - 25/08/2012
"Engaging authenticity..
"Sweet voyeurism..
THE PRIDE
Auckland
10/08/2012 - 01/09/2012
"‘Pride’ delves deep to wrench open closed door..
"What DOES it mean to be gay?..
More reviews
The Magic Chicken
Auckland, Wellington, Nelson
09/07/2012 - 16/03/2013
"Meticulously timed brilliance..
"Delicious clowning, miming and puppeteering..
More reviews
TUSK TUSK
Auckland
06/07/2012 - 21/07/2012
"Repetitive script undermines performing potential..
"Dysfunction, mystery, lightness and levity..
THE GREAT PIRATICAL RUMBUSTIFICATION
Auckland, Christchurch
30/06/2012 - 22/07/2017
"A great school holiday treat..
"Bray’s best effort yet – Arrrrgh!!!..
TRIBES
Auckland
08/06/2012 - 30/06/2012
"Now how to express my experience?..
"Riveting, heart-wrenching theatre..
More reviews
ROMEO & JULIET
Auckland
01/06/2012 - 08/06/2012
"Singularly attractive and skilfully staged..
BARD DAY'S NIGHT
Auckland
21/05/2012 - 26/05/2012
"Hilarious Hirst hits the Bard on the Head..
"Shakespeare Nerd’s Dream..
More reviews
A MIDSUMMER NIGHTS DREAM
Auckland
03/05/2012 - 26/05/2012
"Fancy a Puck?..
"Playful, heart-warming, riddled with excellence..
CHUB
Auckland
22/04/2012 - 24/04/2012
"Vibrant and uncompromising play about living in today’s terror-ridden world..
The Bench or Hello for Dummies
Auckland
18/04/2012 - 21/04/2012
"An exciting, different, painless and very personal experience..
The Santa Claus Show (2011)
Auckland
05/12/2011 - 23/12/2011
"Heart-warming haven away from hassle..
The Waste Land
Auckland
07/12/2011 - 10/12/2011
"April is the cruelest month.....
"Intelligence, splendour and elegance..
The Pitmen Painters
Auckland
17/11/2011 - 10/12/2011
"Hall unearths gem in tale of artistic Ashington miners..
"A performing arts connoisseur’s delight..
Hairy Maclary
Auckland
08/10/2011 - 11/11/2012
"Captivating and utterly delightful..
"A fabulous show in every way..
Finding Murdoch
Auckland
13/10/2011 - 23/10/2011
"All credit to the boys and the girl..
