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
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 […]
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: Best on Tap Stands Up
The Fringe Bar is packed to the gills for Best on Tap Stands Up, a little out of the ordinary for a Sunday crowd, but this is a Fringe show and this is a Fringe crowd, and Best on Tap are an excellently well-established performance company, so perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised. More well-known as […]
Review: End of the Rainbow
Judy’s return something to talk about By Talia Carlisle Pour the champagne because Judy Garland has come to town. Peter Quilter’s smash hit show End of the Rainbow opened to loud belly laughs, big smiles and plenty of cheers at the Wellington Opera House this weekend. While the audience and stars were dressed to impress, […]
Review: Professor Wild Returns
I’ve never seen a show at the zoo before, but that’s where Professor Wild Returns takes me for my first review of NZ Fringe 2023. Another entry in the incredible Austin Harrison Theatrical Universe, this solo show resurrects Harrison’s segment ‘Professor Wild’ from What Now in 2009 as a full-length show for adults, set amongst the climbs of […]
Review: Jingle Elves: The Musical
Reviewed by Talia Carlisle. The tinsel is untangled, the star perfectly in place at the top of the tree. The only thing left is to make your way to BATS theatre to watch Pōneke’s own Pāua Ballads totally f*ck Christmas up — their word not mine! There are naughty elves and a secretive Santa, squabbling […]
Review: Venus Rising
The Royal New Zealand Ballet is back for their final offering this year, a trio of celestial ballets within the show Venus Rising. I’ve been waiting to see this show for a couple of years now, for it’s been delayed twice by COVID, so it was an absolute delight to finally catch it at its […]
Review: Pudgy Mediocre White Men Solve Your Problems
A whiteboard greets us at the top of the stairs of BATS’ Dome Theatre. 10am — Dancing with Craig (R18). It reads. 1.45pm — Knitting with Craig (R18), then 8pm — Dave & Bryan Impov Thing. And that is what we’re here to see (though I am particularly taken by the concept of 12.45pm — Autopsy for Beginners.) We’re at […]
Review: Title & Deed
Reviewed by Lox Dixon. Presented as a part of TAHI Festival, 2022. I’m going to make an earnest effort to mention the writing as little as possible in this review because that’s not really the point and everyone probably knows by now that Will Eno is a phenomenal writer. That said, the beauty of this […]