Review Archive
Born and raised in the Wellington suburb of Petone, in the Hutt Valley, Jan-Maree proudly identifies as a Hamiltonian, the city she has called home since 2003.
One of New Zealand’s most successful female comedians Jan-Maree began her career as a poet. Moving from spoken word to stand-up she won the Billy T award in 2001, the NZ Comedy Guild Award for “Best Female Comedian” in 2009 and in 2011 she won the Fred Award, becoming the first and is still the only female comedian to receive the NZ International Comedy Festival’s supreme award. She is something of an icon at Hamilton East watering hole The Cook, hosting a monthly comedy showcase for a whopping ten and a half years; the longest running pub comedy gig in New Zealand.
Since 2001 Jan-Maree has written for radio and television across a number of genre. She is a performance mentor, director and dramaturge with over fifteen years of experience in comedy, drama, improvisation and live theatre production. Having grown up in New Zealand’s home of quality theatre, Jan has a natural affinity for theatre, and a wealth of experience working both sides of the curtain, having held numerous roles as a production manager, stage manager, publicist and promoter.
Over the past nine years Jan-Maree has led and facilitated performance production, theatre and writing workshops for people experiencing mental illness, under the auspices of Centre 401 as preparation for the Waikato’s annual Mad Pride celebrations.
Most recently Jan-Maree has worked with Sydney-based Kiwi writer/actor Samuel Christopher new drama, The Violence of Ngaire Chambers, as a script advisor.
Jan-Maree became a reviewer for Theatreview in early 2013.
After twenty years harvesting LOLS Jan-Maree has hung up her microphone, and is living a new dream. Being retired doesn’t mean she isn’t gigging – for a good cause or good money, she will – though she is adamant she is no longer available for children’s parties.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
OLD, BOLD AND GOING NOWHERE!
Hamilton
27/02/2020 - 29/02/2020
"A lovely ride delivered with guts and gusto..
TWO HEARTS Hamilton World Tour
Hamilton
20/02/2020 - 20/02/2020
"Blisteringly funny from start to finish..
DOGFIGHT
Hamilton
29/11/2019 - 14/12/2019
"Stars in the making..
FEMININE HYGIENE
Hamilton
30/10/2019 - 31/10/2019
"Successfully muses over the gender and sexuality debates of our modern era..
aloFA
Rotorua, Wellington, Hamilton
27/08/2019 - 14/09/2019
"Deeply moving..
"Exposing truths and untold stories earns standing ovation..
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RIDING IN CARS WITH (MOSTLY STRAIGHT) BOYS
Hamilton
04/09/2019 - 08/09/2019
"Sensitive portrayals..
PITCHING A TENT
Hamilton
01/11/2018 - 01/03/2019
"Loud arguments leave plenty to reflect on..
HOOD STREET The Musical
Hamilton
20/02/2019 - 22/02/2019
"Sensitive, silly and so damned funny – this show will travel well..
EXIT THE KING
Hamilton
06/12/2018 - 07/12/2018
"Humour in a narcissist facing grim death..
D.I.V.O.R.C.E, The Home Game!
Hamilton
05/12/2018 - 06/12/2018
"Not even the tiniest bit funny..
A REVEALING THYME
Hamilton
02/12/2018 - 05/12/2018
"Well-written and performed – except for the end..
RAURU
Hamilton, Rotorua
21/11/2018 - 08/04/2019
"Very real, beautifully honest and raw..
"Fluid, seamless; a challenge to follow..
URINETOWN The Musical
Hamilton
21/09/2018 - 29/09/2018
"Romantic, dramatic, comedic pisstake impeccably presented..
ARTFUL DODGERS
Hamilton
19/07/2018 - 21/07/2018
"A refreshing, delightful, smart play on a literary classic..
DUST PILGRIM – A Tale of Freedom
Auckland, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wellington, Invercargill
04/06/2015 - 03/05/2018
"An audio-visual treat that respects the intelligence of its audience..
"Dusty yes, but fresh and original..
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ORLANDO
Hamilton
08/06/2016 - 11/06/2016
"Joyously well-played..
"Fun, engaging, highly accessible..
BLUE MAN GROUP
Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch
24/05/2016 - 03/07/2016
"Both embraces and repudiates technology..
"Performance art mastered with pure clowning..
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OPHELIA THINKS HARDER
Palmerston North, Hamilton, Wellington
30/04/2016 - 03/06/2016
"The thing to catch the conscience of us all..
"Laughter-loaded and gets you thinking..
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HAMLET
Auckland, Wellington, Palmerston North, Hamilton
11/04/2016 - 27/05/2016
"A very articulate production..
"Inspirational work..
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BILL MASSEY’S TOURISTS
Wellington, Dunedin, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Gisborne, Christchurch, Palmerston North
24/07/2014 - 12/10/2018
"Powerful and deeply moving..
"Presented with sincerity, integrity and polish..
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SHOES
Hamilton
03/03/2016 - 05/03/2016
"Funny but could – should –be better..
STORM WARNING
Hamilton
27/02/2016 - 28/02/2016
"Good elements usurped by others..
YOURS TRULY
Auckland, Waiheke Island, Hamilton
26/02/2016 - 16/07/2016
"Superior literary flourishes..
"Definitive horrific exposé..
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