Review Archive
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.
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..
More reviews
THE BOOK OF EVERYTHING
New Plymouth, Hamilton, Auckland
14/03/2015 - 20/03/2016
"Theatre magic..
"Charming, engaging access to broader, deeper issues..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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!..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
VANCE FONTAINE in COMMAND PERFORMANCE
Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth
08/04/2012 - 23/08/2013
"Amazing talents..
"A commanding performance..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
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..
More reviews
Auntie & Me
Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga
04/08/2010 - 28/08/2010
"Probable perceptions remain unrevealed..
"Dire..
More reviews
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..