Review: Dirty Work

Review: Dirty Work

By Talia Carlisle An ode to joy! For the first time recently I joined a choir, and as we joined together as strangers to sing, holding our music and raising our voices in harmony, I could feel such joy and togetherness lifting everyone up, and connecting us together while also creating a melodic story told […]

Review: Lightscapes

Review: Lightscapes

Imagery by Stephen A’Court. The Royal New Zealand Ballet is back with another series of four ballets to warm you up this winter. Celebrating the power and possibility of dance, these four ballets range from the classic to the experimental, a wonderful tableau that accurately sums up the RZNB’s 70th anniversary. Opening the show is […]

Review: Prima Facie

Review: Prima Facie

By Nadia Freeman Prima Facie shares an authentic story of a woman’s experience of assault and navigating the judicial system to seek justice. The nearly sell-out season demonstrates that despite the raw and challenging subject, there is a strong calling for stories like this.   Rape is a word people don’t want to say, and for […]

Review: 35mm

Review: 35mm

By Talia Carlisle Everyone is talking about 35mm, and it’s not a measurement, but a movement it seems, from the sound of new fans I’ve talked to. 35mm is a musical written by Ryan Scott Oliver on at Gryphon Theatre until Saturday, which incorporates music, original choreography and a live band led by musical director […]

Review: Female Lady Women Comedians

Review: Female Lady Women Comedians

Review by Talia Carlisle Is it a bird, is it a plane, no it’s Samantha Hannah leading a super all-female all-funny line-up of comedians that share a striking resemblance… but definitely aren’t all the same person… *wink!* Having been nominated for both Best Comedian, and Best MC at last year’s Wellington Comedy Awards, it makes […]

Review: The Coven on Grey Street

Review: The Coven on Grey Street

The first thing that grips me as soon as I walk into Circa Two is Lucas Neal’s gorgeous set design for this show – a huge pohutakawa that stretches up and across the entire stage, a white picket fence, and the outside edge of a traditional weatherboard kiwi house. Cicadas chirp (beautiful sound design by […]

Review: Fifty Shades of Ray

Review: Fifty Shades of Ray

Reviewed by Talia Carlisle. On a rain-splattered Wellington evening, I find myself refuge in BATS Theatre’s Studio space where paper “worries” are hung on string across the small stage. An eager smattering of audience members buzz in excitement, waiting for Ray Shipley to enter, fresh from a popular Christchurch season with a well-crafted set ready […]

Review: Romeo & Juliet

Review: Romeo & Juliet

Image credit: Stephen A’Court Reviewed by Talia Carlisle What a magical place Wellington is, when you can start your evening with gin and fresh seafood at Cinderella’s for the Wellington on a Plate Launch – and pop down to the St James Theatre, home of the Royal New Zealand Ballet for their opening night of […]

A photo of a man and woman, standing, smiling and gesturing wildly, in front of a woods backdrop.

Review: Into the Woods

Image credit: Maeve O’Connell. Reviewed by Talia Carlisle Not dissimilar to the high fashion of the Met Gala, I adorned my best tiara and lavender frock, ready to descend Te Auaha’s stairs to Witch Music Theatre’s Into The Woods. There isn’t a more magical staircase to a fairytale full of laughter. If the eye-catching advertising […]

Review: The Best is Yet to Come

Review: The Best is Yet to Come

Featured Image Graphic designer: Jared Pallesen  Featured Image Photographer: Leoluchino Linumus    The performance style for The Best is Yet to Come has a little bit of everything autobiography, ted talk, magic show and queer inspirational guidance. Adorned in wonderfully sparkling nails and gems across his forehead, Jeremy Rolston opened the show with some guidance […]