Review: Big J: A New Legacy

Review: Big J: A New Legacy

Reviewed by Nadia Freeman Photo credit: Philip Merry Jacob Dombroski is all heart in his performance of Big J A New Legacy. It is clear that he relives the feelings of every story he shares. This vulnerability is most evident during his dance pieces. From krump to graceful, emotive sections, his actions are deliberate. He […]

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

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: Homemade Takeaways

I don’t think anyone will disagree with me that it’s been one hell of a year, and Christmas is descending on us fast.  So it seemed completely appropriate to be watching a show about people who’ve had a hell of a year, too, drawn together at Christmas. Annie and Will have gravitated back to the […]

Review: The Griegol

Review: The Griegol

We need more shows like this. The kind that effortlessly transports you to the same childlike sense of wonder, akin to the first time you are read what will become your favourite story. And it is no coincidence that The Griegol, written by Hannah Smith and Ralph McCubbin Howell, revolves around the power of storytelling. […]

Review: Olive Copperbottom

Leaving Circa on Wednesday after the opening night of Olive Copperbottom, one of the many things I was feeling was deep regret that it was the very first of Penny Ashton’s shows that I’d seen, and I’d missed so many others.  Ashton is a bright light.  Her energy, her wit, and her joy were incandescent […]

Review: Owls Do Cry

Review: Owls Do Cry

Owls Do Cry is not your typical theatrical retelling of a book. Instead, it is a complete reinterpretation of the work through movement, design and song.   The show starts very light-hearted with a chorus of singing, movement and audience interaction. As the show continues, however, it draws you into the real pain and fragility of […]

Review: Pudgy Mediocre White Men Solve Your Problems

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: Macbeth

Review: Macbeth

I went into Macbeth at the St James completely cold – I know Verdi’s later operas, including his later Shakespeare operas; Otello and Falstaff.  But I’ve somehow missed Macbeth, and decided to keep it that way, I guess because it’s so exciting to go into something completely fresh and new, even if it was written […]

Review: Title & Deed

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 […]