Review Archive
Briar Wilson became a lawyer in 1974 once all her sons were in school, and ended her practice very recently. Now semi-retired, she started dance classes in 1980 and continues today with Megan Adams group. In 1988 she became more involved with dance as a trustee for Danceworks and then Limbs (in its final year). Later she was a director of DANZ. She started and/or coordinated various dance associations, including the Northern Dance Network, and also recorded interviews with some choreographers talking about their pieces. From 1993 to 1998, she edited and produced a small bimonthly called DanceNet (writing 95% of the text) that aimed at relevance for all types of dance and achieved some 200 paying subscribers from all parts of New Zealand. It was taken over by DANZ as one of the foundations for its quarterly magazine. Briar has wriiten regular performance reviews for DANZ Magazine and Theatreview, and has attended writing seminars (led by Stephanie Jordan, Raewyn Whyte, Joan Acocella) to better understand the issues.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
YOU DANCE 2016
Auckland
31/05/2016 - 01/06/2016
"Dance is flourishing in our schools!..
"YouDance: Yes, you certainly can dance..
TAKETAKE '15
Auckland
29/10/2015 - 31/10/2015
"A joyously informal atmosphere for grand performances..
SHORT + SWEET DANCE 2015 - Show 1
Auckland
01/09/2015 - 02/09/2015
"No stand outs but plenty of entertainment..
YOU DANCE 2015
Auckland
01/07/2015 - 02/07/2015
"Entertaining, energetic and able..
"Large ensemble works particularly impressive..
RERE TAKIWA
Auckland
13/11/2014 - 16/11/2014
"Impressive abilities, excellent performance standards..
The Residents - New Zealand School of Dance Choreographic Season 2014
Wellington, Auckland
16/05/2014 - 15/10/2014
"Outgoing exuberance and wonderful ability..
"Powerful, darkly beautiful work..
More reviews
Tama Ma
Auckland
09/10/2008 - 14/10/2014
"Biographical dance journey a pleasure to watch..
"Free spirits, dancing towards heaven..
More reviews
KIRI
Auckland, Wanaka
07/10/2014 - 07/04/2017
"Conceptually intriguing, culturally significant, highly engaging..
"Kiri opens Tempo Festival 2014..
More reviews
Short + Sweet Dance 2014 - Programme 2
Auckland
19/09/2014 - 20/09/2014
"More than one potential winner..
YouDance 2014
Auckland
04/06/2014 - 05/06/2014
"Youth dance popular with peers..
"A new generation's artful ensembles..
The Way We Fall
Dunedin, Wellington, Auckland
26/02/2014 - 29/03/2014
"A friendly romp .....
"... simply brilliant..
More reviews
PRIME (2013)
Auckland
17/10/2013 - 18/10/2013
"Twin themes..
Escape Artists
Auckland
21/09/2013 - 22/09/2013
"Tight ensemble provide lively dancing..
Milk and Mucus 2
Auckland
28/02/2013 - 02/03/2013
"Catwalk perils!..
HOW TO MAKE FRIENDS AND STILL APPEAR NORMAL (2013)
Auckland, Wellington
19/02/2013 - 03/03/2013
"Clearly articulated ideas and desperate dance..
"Auckland Fringe Festival - dance, week 1..
More reviews
Hi Jinx
Auckland
07/10/2010 - 08/10/2010
"What nonsense!..
Tertiary Colours 2010
Auckland
29/09/2010 - 30/09/2010
"The future in their feet..
