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 Ngaire Riley has enjoyed a life-long interest in theatre that began with writing plays for siblings and cousins who had to be coerced into performing. During a four year OE in the 1970s she completed a Post Grad year in Educational Drama at Central School of Speech and Drama, London. She moved from primary to secondary teaching to specialise in Drama and English teaching.

When the Arts Curriculum was introduced into schools in 2000, Ngaire trained Central North Island Drama teachers to teach and assess drama. She has worked in various Drama roles at NZQA and has been an HOD of Drama for many years. She is an avid supporter of the Taranaki Arts Festival and plays that come to the provinces. 

Welcome to the review archive.

Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.

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THE ROAD THAT WASN'T THERE

New Plymouth

15/12/2022 - 18/12/2022

"Engaging, imaginative, created with focus, energy, humour, powerful characterisation and clear diction..

UNDER THE SAME MOON

Wellington, Auckland, Tauranga, Hamilton, New Plymouth

10/02/2015 - 15/09/2016

"Falls short of its promise..

"A keen observation of human nature and family..

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THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING

New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland

14/03/2015 - 20/03/2016

"Theatre magic..

"Charming, engaging access to broader, deeper issues..

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LEGENDARY DIVAS

Christchurch, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Invercargill, Wellington, Wanaka, Nelson

01/03/2015 - 16/02/2019

"Fills our heads and hearts with music..

"For old school song lovers everywhere..

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BAND OF MAGICIANS

Auckland, Dunedin, New Plymouth, Christchurch

20/08/2015 - 19/09/2015

"If you love magic and theatre, treat yourself..

"You got me!..

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ADAM PAGE

Taranaki, New Plymouth

20/08/2015 - 22/08/2015

"Infectious passion and enthusiasm..

THE DEMOLITION OF THE CENTURY

Kerikeri, , Wellington, New Plymouth

31/01/2015 - 16/08/2015

"Flamboyant, laconic, witty, wry, dark, bleak, rich..

"Cabaret-style enhances the reading..

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WHEELER'S LUCK

New Plymouth

08/10/2014 - 11/10/2014

"Polished and engaging..

EGLANTYNE

Geraldine, Wellington, New Plymouth, Timaru, Christchurch

01/05/2014 - 26/10/2019

"Intelligent, relatable and still relevant..

"Rewarded with an empathetic insight..

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LEO: The Anti-Gravity Show

Wellington, Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Wairarapa, Nelson, Tauranga

13/03/2012 - 20/01/2019

"SEE IT!..

"A show of supreme intelligence..

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BREL: THE WORDS AND MUSIC OF JACQUES BREL

Auckland, Nelson, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Wellington

02/11/2012 - 02/03/2014

"Finishes strongly..

"All singers portray standout moments..

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VANCE FONTAINE in COMMAND PERFORMANCE

Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth

08/04/2012 - 23/08/2013

"Amazing talents..

"A commanding performance..

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Party with the Aunties

Dunedin, Nelson, , Feilding, Wellington, New Plymouth, Paekākāriki, Christchurch

09/04/2011 - 14/11/2019

"The classic Kiwi shindig, theatricalised..

"A fabulous night that leaves you feeling joyful..

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SYDNEY BRIDGE UPSIDE DOWN

New Plymouth, Wellington, Auckland, Gisborne

07/06/2013 - 11/08/2013

"Intriguing adaptation visually lush but adrift..

"Stylised, Sinister and Sexy: innovative theatre not to be missed..

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The Intricate Art of Actually Caring

Dunedin, Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, New Plymouth, Hastings, Hamilton, Wanaka

10/02/2009 - 28/06/2012

"On the road again..

"Deliciously laconic, funny and captivating..

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Drowning in Veronica Lake

Hamilton, Wellington, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Auckland, Dunedin

22/02/2011 - 23/02/2016

"This is what magnificent theatre looks like..

"The Fame Monster..

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Die Roten Punkte – KUNST ROCK (ART ROCK)

New Plymouth

02/06/2012 - 02/06/2012

"Fun and intriguing if musically simplistic..

In Flagrante

Wellington, Auckland, New Plymouth, Edinburgh, Scotland, Hamilton

13/09/2011 - 27/02/2014

"A sense of occasion.. and a hint of critique..

"Discomforting, not challenging; offensive, not provocative..

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GURU OF CHAI

Auckland & Wellington, Wellington, Nelson, Hamilton, New Plymouth, Wanaka, Auckland, NYC, USA, Christchurch, Raumati

11/02/2010 - 11/08/2024

"Guru of Chai is ‘pure theatre magic’..

"Resonant themes of love, loss and redemption leave a lasting impact..

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Auntie & Me

Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga

04/08/2010 - 28/08/2010

"Probable perceptions remain unrevealed..

"Dire..

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Grumpy Old Women

Wellington, Hamilton, Tauranga, New Plymouth, Whanganui

05/03/2010 - 07/09/2010

"Menopausal hen party cackling fun..

"A good talking to for a laugh..

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