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.
TICKING TIME BOMB
Auckland
18/09/2012 - 08/03/2013
"An hilarious, recognisable and truly screwed up small town..
"Impressive character-driven fable..
COWBOY MOUTH and LOVE IT UP
Auckland
13/09/2012 - 16/09/2012
"Food for thought in trans-dimensional rock ’n’ roll absurdism..
"A Bittersweet Mouthful..
GODDESS and MAB’S ROOM
Auckland
04/09/2012 - 08/09/2012
"New Voice, Amplified..
"An astute eye for the human condition..
Krishnan’s Dairy
Auckland, Wellington, Raumati
26/08/2009 - 21/09/2022
"As fresh, remarkable and astonishing as ever..
"An enduring, honest and mesmerising milestone in New Zealand theatre..
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..
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ALICE
Auckland
04/07/2012 - 14/07/2012
"greatly entertaining hour-long flight of fancy..
BLACK CONFETTI
Auckland
28/06/2012 - 22/07/2012
"Shivering and Shaking; The Glittery Black..
"Wunderkind playwright the real deal..
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Square Eye Pair
Wellington, Auckland, Dunedin
16/02/2011 - 30/06/2012
"The unabridged, annotated, multi-volume series of guidebooks on how to be pathetic..
"Geeks' Eye for the Straight Guy..
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COPENHAGEN
Auckland
30/05/2012 - 10/06/2012
"Historical drama richly rewards concentration..
"Physics, History, and the Atomic Bomb..
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GISH: GISH-TAKES
Wellington, Auckland
01/05/2012 - 19/05/2012
"Billy T meets Weird Al..
REVOLVER: SEXY CIRCUS CABARET CLUB
Auckland, Christchurch, Wellington, Dunedin
09/05/2012 - 10/10/2012
"Atmosphere soaked steampunk circus..
"Darkly upbeat and energetic..
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BOMBS AWAY! A MUSICAL
Auckland, Wellington
01/05/2012 - 19/05/2012
"Who you [not] gonna call?..
"Goodies-grade silly..
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TEVITA MANUKIA in KNOCK KNOCK
Auckland
14/05/2012 - 19/05/2012
"Distinctively unhurried natural appeal..
The Boy With Tape On His Face … MORE TAPE
Auckland, New Plymouth, Hamilton, Napier, Wellington
08/05/2012 - 18/05/2013
"Clever invention, community, comedy and play..
"What could be better?..
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MR BOON'S FAIRY TALES
Auckland
05/05/2012 - 19/05/2012
"Ageless storytelling..
JAMES ROQUE, ELI MATTHEWSON and EDITH POOR in MINORITY REPORT
Auckland
02/05/2012 - 05/05/2012
"Young, fresh, easy energy..
JASON BYRNE IN PEOPLE’S PUPPETEER
Auckland
01/05/2012 - 05/05/2012
"Masterful incredulity..
TERRY FRISBY IN THE GREAT FRISBY COMEDY EXPERIMENT
Auckland
28/04/2012 - 05/05/2012
"Was there an initial hypothesis?..
ALAN MCELROY: GIDDY!
Auckland
28/04/2012 - 05/05/2012
"Audacious, ironic, frenetic, Irish..
MRS VAN GOGH
Auckland
18/04/2012 - 02/03/2013
"A treat for fans..
"Play brings us closer to Van Gough’s vision..
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EVERYTHING SHE EVER SAID TO ME
Auckland
17/04/2012 - 21/04/2012
"The pain of everyday..
"Excruciating, tortuous, compelling …...
DIALOGUE WITH A MANNEQUIN
Auckland
21/03/2012 - 31/03/2012
"Mercurial abstractions..
LITTLE HISTORIES OF THE LIFE ORDINARY
Auckland
20/03/2012 - 24/03/2012
"Getting Lost in Space..
"Disparate narratives held together by existential glue..