Review Archive
Gail Pittaway has reviewed theatre and music theatre for Theatreview, the Waikato Times and NZ Opera News for more than a decade. She lectures in Drama and Performance, Creative Writing and Storytelling, Myth and Ritual in the School of Media Arts at the Waikato Institute of Technology and is also a regular book reviewer for a Radio New Zealand’s ‘Nine to Noon’ programme.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
PRIMA FACIE
Wellington, Hamilton, Palmerston North, Nelson
24/06/2023 - 01/11/2024
"The judicial system masterfully examined and embodied..
"Cracking courtroom tour-de-force mentally and emotionally spellbinding..
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THE ICE CREAM IS MELTING!
Hamilton
24/02/2024 - 25/02/2024
"Shone as bright as the sun...
"Breathtaking, enchanting, greatly appreciated by families..
Mary Bumby's HIVE OF STORY
Hamilton
24/02/2024 - 25/02/2024
"Power and inspiration in the great traditions of storytelling..
CHICK’N A BOX
Hamilton
28/02/2020 - 01/03/2020
"Surprising and skilfully staged, rising to a hilarious climax..
MORNINGSTAR
Hamilton
27/02/2020 - 29/02/2020
"Strangely compelling..
WILD DOGS UNDER MY SKIRT
Auckland, Wellington, Wanaka, Kerikeri, Nelson, Christchurch, Gisborne, NYC, USA, Hamilton
26/09/2016 - 23/02/2020
"A glorious and passionate production..
"Invigorating ensemble work..
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SKIN DEEP
Hamilton
06/11/2019 - 08/11/2019
"Entertaining arguments..
WHAT’S MY LINE?
Hamilton
02/11/2019 - 02/11/2019
"Delivers wit, glamour, nostalgia and hilarity..
THEANDRICAN
Hamilton
05/10/2019 - 12/10/2019
"Something for everyone..
HAMLET
New Plymouth, Nelson, Napier, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin
25/06/2019 - 08/09/2019
"Slick production plays at a cracking pace..
"Triumphant revelling in challenges..
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PINTER SHORTS
Hamilton
02/05/2019 - 07/05/2019
"A multiple treat..
THE TWO NOBLE KINSWOMEN
Hamilton
27/03/2019 - 30/03/2019
"At its heart a celebration of talent..
"Care and craftsmanship appreciated..
Kokako's Song
Havelock North, Invercargill, Nelson, Dunedin, Hamilton
18/03/2017 - 03/03/2019
"A charming introduction to birds of the bush..
"Amusing but a missed opportunity..
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OPERA AT TWILIGHT 2019
Hamilton
27/02/2019 - 28/02/2019
"A night of absolute pleasure..
THE CASE OF KATHERINE MANSFIELD
Hamilton
23/02/2019 - 24/02/2019
"Fine acting in a matchless setting celebrates a writer whose light still burns..
PERICLES Prince of Tyre
Hamilton
20/02/2019 - 24/02/2019
"Another triumph..
MOVERS
Wellington, Hamilton
05/04/2018 - 29/11/2018
"Funny, compassionate and thought-provoking..
"Rolls along effortlessly like a well-tuned van..
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THE MAGICIAN’S NEPHEW
Hamilton
05/10/2018 - 13/10/2018
"Enthralling step out of our time..
MRS KRISHNAN’S PARTY
Auckland, Whangarei, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Tauranga
06/12/2017 - 25/08/2019
"Astute, contagious, charming, delicious..
"Festival of renewal happily honoured with depth and levity..
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THE CHAPEL PERILOUS
Hamilton
30/05/2018 - 02/06/2018
"Plenty of ideas on personal and social identity to grapple with..
"Sometimes confusing but never dull..
FLOWING WATER
Hamilton
16/02/2018 - 17/02/2018
"An historic achievement for opera, theatre and kapa haka performance..
SHIRLEY VALENTINE
Hamilton
14/02/2018 - 17/02/2018
"Themes and nuances beautifully developed beyond comedy..
EXTREMITIES
Hamilton
19/10/2017 - 21/10/2017
"Disturbs but eventually satisfies..
