See more recent reviews at theatreview.org, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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THE WHITE GUITAR: Raw truth shared with unflinching honesty, humour, humility and forgiveness
Hannah Playhouse - Return Season, Wellington
Written and performed by Fa’amoana John Luafutu, Matthias Luafutu and 
Malo Luafutu (Scribe) 
Directed by Nina Nawalowalo and Jim Moriarty 
With associate director Tom McCrory and script consultant Oscar Kightley 
Presented by The Conch
- reviewed by Lena Fransham

The fact of Fa’amoana’s presence and interaction with his sons, as they tell some extremely painful truths about their lives with him, is where the theatre becomes real breathing life. We are gifted with something raw and true and human.

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LA CASA AZUL: Captured beautifully
Circa Two, Wellington
Written by Sophie Faucher 
Translated by Neil Bartlett 
Directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford
- reviewed by Ewen Coleman

Known as a naive folk artist, predominately of brightly coloured self-portraits, the play is presented not too dissimilar to a collage of her paintings, showing snippets of Frida and her tempestuous relationship with Diego Rivera, all taken from her writings.

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LOVE N STUFF: Fun, warm play has broad appeal
TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
Written by Tanika Gupta 
Directed by Sananda Chatterjee 
Presented by Prayas Theatre
- reviewed by Janet McAllister

This baby-boomer romantic comedy could become the feel-good hit of the winter – its light touch on home, marriage and the immigrant experience aims to warm your heart.

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LOVE N STUFF: Overstuffed
TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
Written by Tanika Gupta 
Directed by Sananda Chatterjee 
Presented by Prayas Theatre
- reviewed by Nathan Joe

The play charts the tumultuous relationship between middle aged Indian couple Bindi (Sudeepta Vyas) and Mansoor (Mustaq Missouri). When Mansoor decides to return to India, Bindi follows in pursuit to the airport, hoping to change his mind, along with the help of family friends and convenient flight delays.

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LA CASA AZUL: A rich vicarious experience
Circa Two, Wellington
Written by Sophie Faucher 
Translated by Neil Bartlett 
Directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford
- reviewed by John Smythe

What a richly insightful play and production this is: impeccably cast, designed and directed. All the creative components play off and with each other to draw us into this subjective exploration of Mexican artist Frida Kahlo’s world ...

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LOVE N STUFF: Entertaining and sufficiently poignant
TAPAC Theatre, Western Springs, Auckland
Written by Tanika Gupta 
Directed by Sananda Chatterjee 
Presented by Prayas Theatre
- reviewed by Nik Smythe

Playwright Tanika Gupta’s script examines cultural connections, clashes and divides with a playful and salient wit, however religion and political issues are largely only circumstantial factors in the romantic dramedy at the heart of the narrative.

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AIN’T THAT A BITCH: Special and intimate performance of beautifully crafted writing
Garnet Station Café, 85 Garnet Rd, Westmere, Auckland
Written by Anthea Hill 
Directed by Jonathan Hodge 
Presented by Fox Rabbit Bear
- reviewed by Elle Wootton

The world premiere of playwright Anthea Hill’s first play Ain’t That a Bitch from Fox Rabbit Bear is a delightfully intimate exploration of the growth and development of a romantic relationship.

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DUETS 2016: A lively blast of teenspeak
Court Theatre Pub Charity Studio, Christchurch
Directed by Daniel Pengelly
Assistant Directors: Dan Bain and Tom Eason 
Featuring The Court Youth Company
- reviewed by Lindsay Clark

In fact with its energetic, often wildly entertaining kaleidoscope of offerings, the evening seems more like a festival, celebrating the daring business of putting together words and action that will work for an audience.

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WAI=RUA A LINE=NEAR: Engages all the senses
Allen Hall Theatre, University of Otago, Dunedin
Devisors: Rua McCallum, Martyn Roberts with Shannon Van Rooijen, Dominic Kelly, Rawiri Bishop, Anna Sinton, Tia Waitai-Henare, Jordon Te Ohaere and Feather Shaw 
An afterburner and Ruaimoko Trust production
- reviewed by Brenda Harwood

Almost wordless, Wai=Rua A Line=Near does not provide a linear narrative, but instead creates a dreamscape through movement, kapa haka, and extraordinary architectural lighting, accompanied by the haunting sounds of taonga puoro (traditional Maori instruments).

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MATARIKI THE LITTLE EYES IN THE SKY: Rich cultural history told in a warm, witty and generous fashion
The Court Theatre, Bernard Street, Addington, Christchurch
Created by Rutene Spooner and Holly Chappell
Directed by Holly Chappell
Featuring Kim Garrett, Justin Rogers & Laura Hasson
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

The Court Theatre’s touring schools production Matariki: The Little Eyes in the Sky is a charming bilingual production aimed at younger audiences that presents local myth and legend in a colourful, inviting manner.

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Auckland Fringe 2013
LA VIE DANS UNE MARIONETTE: Rich, fertile and engaging for all ages
Basement Theatre, Lower Greys Ave, Auckland
Created and Performed by Jarod Rawiri, Justin Haiu and Tama Jarman 
Presented by White Face Crew
- reviewed by Dione Joseph

It’s a simple and compelling tale. A heartbroken and reclusive pianist (Tama Jarman) is saved by his life-sized marionette (Justin Haiu) who is brought to life by music. A largely non-verbal mise-en-scene follows that traces a saga of friendship and freedom, laughter and love that is poignant as it is powerful.

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DUST PILGRIM – A TALE OF FREEDOM: Authentic, empathetic, fresh and enchanting
Playhouse, Gallagher Academy of Performing Arts, Hamilton
Devised by Red Leap Theatre
Directed by Julie Nolan and Kate Parker 
Presented by Red Leap Theatre
- reviewed by Jan Maree

The first real sense I get that something is awry is in an extremely well executed dream (or premonition) sequence. The use of dance and puppetry is smartly and so delicately interwoven, I get a very real sense of Panuelo’s overlord mother, and her ‘baggage’ – especially as this all emanates from within a dusty old suitcase.

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THE POLITICIAN’S WIFE: Illuminates, interrogates and challenges
BATS Theatre, The Heyday Dome, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
By Angie Farrow 
Directed by Stephen Bain
- reviewed by John Smythe

There is a great deal to respect in the way Farrow has chosen to dramatise this pressing issue and explore its inherent themes, and in the way director Stephen Bain has handled the traverse staging with just four highly focused, committed and skilled actors.

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MAMBO ITALIANO: A play worth seeing when the production settles
BATS Theatre, The Propeller Stage, 1 Kent Tce, Wellington
Written by Steve Galluccio 
Directed by Anastasia Matteini-Roberts 
Produced by the Victoria University of Wellington Italian Society
- reviewed by Patrick Davies

Steve Galluccio’s Mambo Italiano was a hit play that became a happily received film. In the same vein of The Birdcage, a farcical plot exposes families, what we will do (and not do) for family and how the world sees our crazy family.

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BLUE MAN GROUP: Both embraces and repudiates technology
Isaac Theatre Royal, Christchurch
Co-founded by Chris Wink, Matt Goldman and Phil Stanton 
Presented by Lunchbox Theatrical Productions
- reviewed by Erin Harrington

It’s pretty pointless to unpack too much of the specific content of the show, in the same way that it’s rude to lay out a comic’s punchlines in a review, other than to say it’s gleeful, vibrant, and very, very loud.

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WAHINETOA: Celebrating Pasifika women's choreography
Mangere Arts Centre, Auckland
Nikki Upoko, Katerina Fatupaito, Jahra Wasasala, Julia Mage'au Gray
- reviewed by Marianne Schultz

The final work of the programme, Burnt Skin, by Katerina Fatupaito, presents the most intricate choreography of the evening. The flour-covered floor provides a startling platform for the three bodies marked with black lines (Riki Nofo’akifolau, Metusela Toss, Antonio Malachi). As the lifts, rolls, and feats of daring strength increase in intensity and speed, the work culminates in an intriguing intermingling of bodies.

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See more recent reviews at theatreview.org.nz, the NZ Performing Arts Review & Directory

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