Young man wearing a T-shirt and trousers sits on the floor holding a toy cuddly chicken with his right arm. There is a baby duck image behind his left arm that is pointing to his head, and a goose in front of his right leg.

Comedy Review: Oliver Pol – Featherbrained

The only information I have on Oliver Pol is his self-description as a “youngish, tallish stand-up comedian.” But it promised to be “a fun, weird hour performed with irrepressible, limb-flailing energy,” and he absolutely delivered. Pol’s style is a bundle of nervous and enthusiastic energy. He often moves his body in odd shapes across the […]

Review: Joe Daymond’s Comedy Mixtape

Review: Joe Daymond’s Comedy Mixtape

The Comedy Mixtape lineup, hosted and curated by Joe Daymond, was billed as a stand-up showcase built like a perfect set list, comedians you already rate mixed with rising stars you’re about to fall in love with. The night kicked off with DJ Randy from Mai FM spinning classic Hutt bangers. Joe described the aim […]

To adults stand in business suits. One has an orange intheir mouth, the other raising a pencil to their head.

Comedy review: Ginge and Minge – REDEMPTION

A Night of Chaos, Laughs, and Second Chances Ginge and Minge’s REDEMPTION is a mission to save the discarded and rejected from the bottom of the bin and give them another shot. These two have been tearing up stages across Aotearoa since 2020, and their chemistry is as strong as ever. Megan, fresh off a Master […]

Blonde woman wearing a floral dress laughing while surrounded by teddy bears.

Comedy Review: Samantha Hannah – Peekaboo!

I attended Samantha Hannah’s show on Tuesday night with high expectations, and she did not disappoint. For those who don’t know her, Samantha Hannah is a Billy T Award nominee who’s been turning life’s oddities into comedy for years. In 2018, she garnered a lot of attention with her show How to Find a Husband in […]

A pākehā woman's face wearing clown makeup. A neon ribbon cascades in front of their face.

Review: Speed is Emotional

Speed is Emotional Written and performed by Jo Randerson Speed is Emotional is exactly what it sounds like: fast, funny, a little chaotic, and completely its own thing. Written and performed by Jo Randerson, the show dives headfirst into what it feels like to live with ADHD. Randerson invites anyone with a neurodivergent brain, and […]

Review: RNZB’s Macbeth

Review: RNZB’s Macbeth

Review contains major spoilers for the RNZB’s Macbeth – the only reason I’m spoiler warning a 400 year old story based loosely off an 1000 year old historical figure is that the RNZB does include some changes in its staging that are more so implied in the text, and there’s also some things you want to […]

Review: Ghost Bros

Review: Ghost Bros

By Talia Carlisle Creaking floorboards, howls in the night… just another Wellington storm or is there something spooky hiding in Paramount’s new venue, The Gods? I’m not entirely sure since I can’t find the place… But a ghostly maze of paths and Fringe staff lead me to the auditorium eventually, where I manage my less […]

Ten Years in Pōneke: Part Five – Somes Speedrunning

Or, hey I was supposed to finish all of these articles in 2025 but then life happened so I guess we’re doing little quests in 2026 as well. [Warning: This piece talks about disease, war and death.] Matiu / Somes Island is the ever-present spectre looming in Te-Whanganui-a-Tara, one of three islands that the harbour […]

Review: Amélie

Review: Amélie

By Talia Carlisle The wait is over. WITCH Music Theatre is back in town, bringing the candyfloss-sweet hearted magic of Amélie, our new friend at The Hannah (Hannah Playhouse) till Nov 29. Have you ever opened your favourite childhood story book or movie and wanted to dive right in? Now is your chance to dive […]

Review: Messy

Review: Messy

Reviewed by George Niven Stepping into the Dome stage at Bats on Tuesday night felt almost like intruding. Taking my seat I felt I was brushing past Freya, the character played by writer Tara Weston-Webb, as she sat cross-legged on the floor of her room fastidiously painting brightly coloured icons in a small grid. The […]