Review: RNZB Winter Season
Always a pleasure to find myself at the St James here in Pōneke, and the Royal New Zealand Ballet’s got something for everyone with their trio of short ballets this winter. Sir Frederick Ashton’s (1904–1988) Birthday Offering is a stellar celebration of classical ballet. First performed in 1956, with seven solo variations for the women in […]
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
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 […]
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 […]
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 […]
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 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
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
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 […]