New Zealand Theater Reviews: Best Shows & Critic Recommendations Page 7

BWW Review: DAD'S ARMY at Off Broadway Theatre Papakura, Auckland Auckland
by Monica Moore - November 19, 2019

Self-appointed Captain Mainwaring, the pompous bank manager, is created with true authenticity by Bradley Pope in his first major role, and it is testament to his outstanding commitment that he cut off his thick head of hair to become Mainwaring's double....

BWW Review: THE FLINT ST NATIVITY at Dolphin Theatre Onehunga, Auckland
by Monica Moore - November 10, 2019

What a concept - who does not remember the naked ambition, the competition, the betrayal, bribery and jealously in the Primary School classroom to secure a plumb role in the annual Christmas Nativity play! We can instantly relate and regress several, if not many decades.As Playwright Tim Firth says,...

BWW Review: THE GAME'S AFOOT at Howick Little Theatre, Auckland
by Monica Moore - November 10, 2019

For fans of Shakespeare, Sherlock Holmes and period comedic farce, this play will entirely engage, delight, and entertain. Intelligently and creatively directed by Andrew Gordon, it provides everything you love about live theatre: extravagant characters with underlying motives, a mystery thriller wi...

BWW Review: I LOVE YOU, YOU'RE PERFECT...NOW CHANGE! at Up-Stage
by Lindsey Rusling - November 04, 2019

I Love You, You're Perfect....Now Change! is an upbeat, Off Broadway musical revue that ran for more than 5000 performances from 1996-2008. Traditionally set in New York in the late-20th Century this production is an updated version for 2018. The show takes us through numerous vignettes that depict ...

BWW Review: JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOUR DREAMCOAT at Spotlight Theatre, Paptoetoe, Auckland
by Monica Moore - October 31, 2019

Visually this show is spectacular thanks to super talented costume designers Helen Chessum. My particular favourites were Potiphar's scene with it's truly striking black and white theme and all the Pharoah scenes where the attention to detail ensured the wow factor- collars, wigs, sparkly shoes and ...

BWW Review: MONSTER SONGS at BATS Theatre
by Lindsey Rusling - October 26, 2019

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BWW Review: COCK at Circa Theatre is Honest, Awkward and Electrifying
by Lindsey Rusling - October 17, 2019

In the English lexicon, there are many uses for the word a?oecocka?? with a myriad of meanings and Mike Bartlett covers them all in his acclaimed 2009 script currently playing at Circa Theatre, Wellington....

BWW Review: AMERICAN IDIOT at Civic Theatre Auckland
by Monica Moore - October 10, 2019

The essence of Green Day has not been shoved into the safe mode stage musical model; it breathes the rage, the confusion, the struggle and the senselessness of post 9/11 in an edgy package of fast paced grit wrapped up in the sensational music. Expect a confronting emotional roller coaster that i...

BWW Review: SPAMALOT at Playhouse Theatre, Glen Eden, Auckland
by Monica Moore - October 01, 2019

Playhouse Theatre Incorporated has assembled a cast of stellar performers for their production of 'Spamalot' which opened on Saturday night. The laughter and vibe of fun amongst the audience was a testament to the high energy and talent on the stage. All performers more-than-ably delivered the of...

BWW Review: CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG at Pukekohe Performing Arts
by Monica Moore - September 30, 2019

There are some incredibly talented children rising through the ranks in this production. It is hard to believe at times that the leads- Jarrod Shirtcliffe (Caractacus Potts) and Katierose Pemberton (Truly Scrumptious understudy) are indeed children! Jarrod plays a likeable and love-struck father and...

BWW Review: THE LITTLE YELLOW DIGGER at Pumphouse, Takapuna, Auckland
by Monica Moore - September 25, 2019

Nestled amongst a full gala audience, surrounded by pint-sized workmen and even a yellow digger crafted from boxes we eagerly awaited the opening of the show. How would they create diggers on the stage? Whales? Pools for hippopotami to bathe in? So many questions whirling in our heads after reading ...

BWW Review: ROSENCRANTZ AND GUILDENSTERN ARE DEAD at ASB Waterfront Theatre
by Monica Moore - September 19, 2019

With this play and in the words of 'shining star' (he absolutely is!) Director Benjamin Henson  'we are treated to pure delight, laughing at the philosophical goings-on a created space within a stage within a theatre for a play that explores a play within a play'. Loved it all! Go see it!...

BWW Review: WICKED at Bay Court Theatre Tauranga
by Monica Moore - September 15, 2019

The synergy and 'flow of the show' were perfect due to excellent direction and a talented cast who fully invested and understood what was required. Bravo to them all for achieving this....

BWW Review: CRY BABY at Te Auaha - Tapere Nui (Big Theatre), Wellington
by Monica Moore - September 11, 2019

From the vibrant opening number (The Anti-Polio Picnic), the cast let rip with power and passion that does not drop throughout.  Each performer grabs every moment with intensity and commitment to showcase their learning and talent while displaying their devotion to the craft.  The lyrics are crisp, ...

BWW Review: NEIGHBOURHOOD WATCH at Howick Little Theatre
by Monica Moore - September 08, 2019

a?oeNeighbourhood Watcha?? shows that veteran playwright Alan Ayckbourn still has his finger on the social pulse. Alan Ayckbourn said that, a?oeI'm always a great believer, when I write a play, to narrow it down to the people. Plays are about people for me, not about issues a?' the issues arise from...

BWW Review: BARE: A Pop Opera at Gryphon Theatre
by Monica Moore - September 04, 2019

Teen angst is currently in the spotlight on Broadway, with the bullying and suicidal themes of 'Dear Evan Hansen', the catty coterie in 'Mean Girls' and the outcasts of 'Be More Chill'. The American high-school has been used as a familiar setting for any number of musicals over the past 70 years to ...

BWW Review: A NIGHT OF CABARET at Off Broadway Theatre
by Monica Moore - September 03, 2019

Highly polished quality vocal performances in 'A Night of Cabaret' delighted a full house at Papakura's Theatre Company on August 31 st . Queen Street, is a highly accomplished female quartet (Renee Maurice, Emma Bishop, Chantel Wilson, Sharon Hewlet), and in their inaugural appearance, wowed the au...

BWW Review: RAGTIME at Selwyn Theatre
by Monica Moore - August 28, 2019

The singing, both chorus and solos, put the quality in quality with each number being so good that it was difficult to comprehend that the next one would be too. But out they rolled, one after the other; simply supreme....

BWW Review: SOFT 'N' HARD at The Loft Q Theatre, Auckland
by Monica Moore - August 21, 2019

I don't think I've ever felt as uplifted on a wet wintry Tuesday evening as I was at the opening night of Barbarian Productions'...

BWW Review: MY FAIR LADY at Te Auaha - Tapere Nui (Big Theatre), Wellington
by Monica Moore - August 21, 2019

Mark Steyn called My Fair Lady the 'perfect musical' with the 1956 Broadway production winning a number of Tonys and setting records for the longest run of any show on Broadway up to that time. It has since been followed by numerous revivals including a popular film version starring Rex Harrison and...

BWW Review: SIX DEGREES OF SEPARATION at Auckland Theatre Company
by Monica Moore - August 21, 2019

It's funny, it's a social commentary, there's satire and pathos. There's human connection in spite of the social constructs dictating division and there's betrayal, examination of conscious as well as frivolity and superficiality. And the notion that we are more connected than we think was made popu...

BWW Review: THE WIZARD OF OZ at St James Theatre Gore
by Monica Moore - August 07, 2019

The production team have brought together a creative collaboration that well- celebrates a much loved story. Director Stephanie Green, Musical Director Terry Gentle and Choreographer Nikoia McKelvie have been thorough in their work and come together to present something very special to the local com...

BWW Review: A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Pop-up Globe, Ellerslie, Auckland
by Monica Moore - August 07, 2019

The forest dwellers were mesmerising. The use of Te Reo to portray Shakespeare-speak was beautifully executed. Accolades to Anatonio Te Maioha in his portrayal of Oberon and Renaye Tamati as Titania. These two brought a level of myth, the spiritual and passion totally enhancing, honouring and making...

BWW Review: TWELFTH NIGHT At Pop-Up Globe, Ellerslie, Auckland
by Monica Moore - August 06, 2019

Watching the groundlings interact with the cast on Saturday night was heartening. Young people fully engaged and wanting more - eager to participate in all the goings-on. Yes! Frivolity, flippancy and folly hit the mark with the full audience despite Auckland turning on it's coldest and windiest we...

BWW Review: MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS at Dolphin Theatre, Onehunga, Auckland
by Monica Moore - August 03, 2019

The manic physical shtick is perfectly delivered and both director and cast have hit the mark. This is not easy to achieve particularly within a static set but it is so well delivered that we were mesmerised and fully into all the goings-on. The laughs were hearty and came in the right places and th...