Review Archive
James McKinnon is the Programme Director of the Victoria University of Wellington Theatre Programme. Aside from Theatreview, his writing appears in such for a as Theatre Research in Canada, the Journal of Perspectives in Applied Academic Practice, Canadian Theatre Review, Teaching Learning Inquiry. He has also contributed chapters to recent anthologies on Shakespeare, Chekhov, and the role of theatre in sexual health education.
At VUW he teaches courses in dramaturgy, modern and postmodern drama, and dramatic theory and criticism, and has directed three original devised performances: Shit Show (inspired by Alfred Jarry’s Ubu Roi); Mystery Play, derived from the English liturgical plays; and Brututum Zum Pum!, a neo-futurist cabaret.
Prior to moving to New Zealand in 2011, James worked across Canada as a freelance dramaturg, technician, designer, and director. He has studied and taught at several other renowned theatre training institutions, including the Graduate Centre for the Study of Drama at the University of Toronto, the University of Alberta, McGill University, and the University of Calgary.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
THE IMPROV SHOW AT THE END OF THE WORLD
Wellington
20/10/2017 - 20/10/2017
"Audience eager to collaborate in the end..
DON'T SEE THIS SHOW ALONE
Wellington
20/10/2017 - 20/10/2017
"Has a lot of potential..
PlayShop LIVE: Autumn Season 2016
Wellington
22/04/2016 - 22/04/2016
"Support and challenge in good balance..
THE PIANIST
Nelson, Tauranga, Wellington, Hamilton, Edinburgh, Scotland, Auckland, Kerikeri
21/10/2013 - 23/04/2015
"Exceptionally skilled performance with an extra helping of panache..
"Bravura Recital..
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10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT US
Wellington
24/02/2015 - 28/02/2015
"“It is one of the most astonishing things I have ever seen anyone do, ever”..
THE SILENT TREATMENT
Wellington
13/06/2014 - 14/06/2014
"High calibre performers..
CANDICE MCQUEEN: NASTY!
Wellington
08/03/2014 - 09/03/2014
"Candice, a grand tour de force..
"Delight for literati and pop culture mavens alike..
BLOODLINES
Wellington
25/02/2014 - 01/03/2014
"Impressive ambition and talent..
RED NOSE REVERIE
Wellington
19/02/2014 - 22/02/2014
"Highly likeable actors but a travesty of clown..
BREAK-UP [We Need to Talk]
Wellington, Auckland, NYC, USA, Global
08/02/2014 - 18/04/2020
"Strangely riveting..
"Sincere, clever, utterly uncontrived journey to raw discomfort..
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IMMACULATE DECEPTION
Wellington
07/02/2014 - 10/02/2014
"Soporific..
NECROPOLIS
Wellington
05/02/2014 - 09/02/2014
"Admirable ambition..
A DISASTER WAITING TO HAPPEN
Wellington
02/12/2013 - 08/12/2013
"A script in search of a dramaturg..
WOLF
Wellington
29/11/2013 - 30/11/2013
"Humanity abandoned..
PANDEMIC
Wellington
02/11/2013 - 16/11/2013
"Unbeatable immersive history lesson..
"Immersive time travel through spaces..
TEECHERS
Wellington
30/04/2013 - 04/05/2013
"Engaging energy and dynamism..
TAKE BACK THE HOOD
Wellington, Palmerston North, Dunedin, Auckland
06/03/2013 - 23/02/2015
"Back to the Hood..
"Funny and brave..
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BUDDYPALFRIEND
Wellington
02/03/2013 - 05/03/2013
"Awkwardly stuck..
RUNNING WITH GHOSTS
Wellington
27/02/2013 - 02/03/2013
"Sincerity, curiosity and ingenuity drive theatrical experiment..
WHAT THE, SHEEP?
Wellington
22/02/2013 - 23/02/2013
"Inflation confuses and distorts..
FOR YOUR FUTURE GUIDANCE
NYC, USA, Wellington, Hamilton, Auckland, Dunedin
20/02/2013 - 22/03/2015
"Remarkably refreshing..
"Deadpan humour and understated irony..
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WE BUILT THIS CITY…
Wellington
18/02/2013 - 23/02/2013
"Skilled charmers’ slapdash show..
He Reo Aroha
Palmerston North, Wellington, Otaki, Christchurch, Auckland, Feilding
09/03/2010 - 14/03/2013
"Dexterity, intelligence, warmth, passion, humour, and a fine musicality..
"A magical piece of theatre..
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