Review Archive
Nik Smythe has a Diploma in Applied Drama from Northland Polytechnic, Whangarei (1992). He wrote and performed theatre, music and poetry during the nineties; also worked for the Moving Image Centre as an administrator and presenter.
Father of one teenager, and son of John Smythe’s twin brother, Nik has written for Theatreview since 2006.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
He Aha Te Hau
Auckland
29/04/2024 - 30/04/2024
"They maintain a beautiful hold over their deep pool of simmering ihi..
"'He Aha Te Hau' is an outstanding historic milestone as Ngāti Whātua share the history of their land and its…..
HEATWAVE
Auckland
13/10/2020 - 17/10/2020
"Take Action..
"A shame it’s still necessary now, let alone in 2030..
YĀTRĀ
Auckland
01/10/2020 - 10/10/2020
"Exploratory, impressionistic, poetic..
BLACK LOVER
Hastings, Auckland
09/09/2020 - 21/10/2020
"A tense, funny, brilliantly political narrative..
"Unearthing the realities of Anti-Black Racism..
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QUARANTINE COOKING WITH CLAUDE
Global
08/04/2020 - 22/04/2020
"Krazy kitchen lockdown lunacy..
MAN PARTS – Dannevirke's greatest female tenor
Wellington, Global
04/03/2016 - 31/05/2020
"Impressive showcase of ‘fledgling’ talent..
"Brilliantly funny..
Christmas at Te Parenga from THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER
Auckland
25/12/2016 - 25/12/2017
"Bountiful with impeccable eloquence..
"Performed and received with joy..
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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MAGGOT
Wellington, Auckland
07/11/2017 - 24/03/2018
"Bursting with life, effort, risk and reward..
"Lice Girls..
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THE DUNSTAN CREEK HAUNTING
Christchurch, Dunedin, Invercargill, Auckland, Nelson, Wellington
16/04/2016 - 20/07/2019
"Kiwi ghost story with an eerie twist gets audience jumping..
"Entertainingly chill..
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FINDING TEMERAIRE
Auckland
17/10/2017 - 21/10/2017
"Stirring, confronting, challenging .....
HORRIBLE HISTORIES the best of Barmy Britain
Auckland, Wellington, New Plymouth
01/10/2017 - 07/10/2017
"Accessible and highly entertaining..
SOFT TISSUE
Wellington, Auckland
26/09/2017 - 06/03/2019
"How society pressures women to perform: a powerful critique..
"Commanding, committed, entertaining..
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Super HUGH-Man – The Legend Lives On
Auckland, Hamilton, Gisborne, Rotorua, Palmerston North
20/09/2017 - 03/10/2020
"Inspired by and crafted from love..
"Unpredictable, relatable, unmissable..
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AUNTY
Auckland, Wellington
12/09/2017 - 17/02/2018
"An entertaining and thought-provoking exposé of family..
"Fun Appetiser..
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SUCCESS
Auckland
23/08/2017 - 16/09/2017
"Misses the mark..
"Historical issues remain..
DANNY AND THE DEEP BLUE SEA
Auckland
23/08/2017 - 02/09/2017
"Beauty and the Sea Monster..
"Redemption and hope beyond bad choices..
NELL GWYNN
Auckland
17/08/2017 - 30/08/2017
"Restoration comedy triumph of superb acting..
"The Rebirth of the Theatre..
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HOW I MET MY FATHER
Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North
19/02/2017 - 09/08/2017
"Unvarnished, soul-sharing honesty..
"Impressive guts, flare and skills..
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RANTERSTANTRUM
Auckland
01/08/2017 - 12/08/2017
"Packs a powerful punch..
"Engaging and confronting psychological inquest..
MY BEST DEAD FRIEND
Auckland, Wellington, Wanaka, Kerikeri, Invercargill, Dunedin, Nelson
12/07/2017 - 02/05/2019
"Simply lovely to watch..
"Chalk one up to talk and a wake..
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LARGER THAN LIFE an adventure of epic proportions
Palmerston North, Wellington, Auckland
08/06/2017 - 01/07/2017
"A real trip down memory lane..
"Hilarious and poignant cultural, historical and socio-political reverie..
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Alexander Sparrow is DE SADE
Wellington, Auckland, Palmerston North
19/02/2014 - 07/10/2018
"Hilarious and delightful debauchery..
"Very inventive..
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