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.
Shakespeare’s Will
Wellington, Auckland
26/02/2011 - 23/04/2016
"An absorbing and timely tale..
"Quietly compelling..
Silent Night
Auckland, Tauranga, Nelson, Hastings, Whangarei, Wellington, Kerikeri
13/12/2010 - 26/11/2016
"Bitter-sweet clarity carries laugh 'til you cry survivor story..
"A beautiful piece of theatre..
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Gagarin Way
Auckland
01/12/2010 - 11/12/2010
"Scottish wit with a political edge..
"Porletuks, phulorsorphy ’n’ murrddurr..
Hush
Auckland, Dunedin
12/03/2009 - 27/11/2010
"Compelling look at forces behind family violence..
"Stories of abuse safely told..
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Pirates vs Ninjas
Auckland
17/11/2010 - 20/11/2010
"A momentous chapter in an epic spanning generations..
Friday Night Guilt Club
Auckland
05/11/2010 - 03/12/2010
"Casual weird ramblings and experimental oddities and stuff..
ConArtists: Austen Found - The Undiscovered Musicals of Jane Austen
Auckland
07/05/2009 - 31/10/2010
"Improv treatment real Austentatious delicacy..
"A veritable abundance of austentatious authenticity..
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Touch Wood
Auckland
19/10/2010 - 23/10/2010
"Amusing shenanigans..
Superflux
Auckland
17/10/2010 - 18/10/2010
"Audio visual assault..
The Secret of Dongting Lake
Auckland
04/10/2010 - 09/10/2010
"An exotic holiday treat..
Badjelly the Witch
Auckland
25/09/2010 - 09/10/2010
"Ingenious unbridled silliness: Spike’s legacy of lunacy..
Krapp’s Last Tape
Auckland
23/09/2010 - 10/10/2010
"Glint of hope in austere jewel..
"Another classic Beckett dealing with physical and psychological ageing and the inevitably solitary nature of our transient existence..
Biography Of My Skin
Wellington, Auckland
09/10/2009 - 25/09/2010
"Clever play within a play gets under your skin..
"Courageously confessional post-post-modern retro catharsis..
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Covert Improv Night
Auckland
08/09/2010 - 11/09/2010
"Good for more than a few chuckles..
Songs for Guy
Auckland
07/09/2010 - 23/02/2014
"Capturing our hearts with truth, honesty and a big dose of love..
"Yearning, tender, vulnerable with humour and just a smattering of sleaze..
August: Osage County
Auckland
04/09/2010 - 25/09/2010
"One helluva ride..
"Intoxicating family cocktail..
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Happy Days
Auckland
20/08/2010 - 18/09/2010
"Superb performances fire up Beckett work..
"Pragmatic optimism v recalcitrance..
The Continental Monologues
Auckland
11/08/2010 - 13/08/2010
"Cosmopolitan occupations..
Auntie & Me
Auckland, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Wellington, Tauranga
04/08/2010 - 28/08/2010
"Probable perceptions remain unrevealed..
"Dire..
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The Irrefutable Truth About Petfood
Auckland, Wellington
27/07/2010 - 07/05/2011
"Random displays of acting..
"Triple distinctions in homage to ludicrous and wonderful conventions..
Introducing Anna
Auckland
27/07/2010 - 31/07/2010
"Frankly hilarious and finally pithy yet profound..
Aunty McDuff’s Magical Trunk
Auckland
06/07/2010 - 10/07/2010
"Much mirth in versatile diversion..
"Children caught up in magical hi-jinks..
Greedy Cat
Auckland
29/06/2010 - 24/07/2010
"Furry fun..
"Purr-fect fun and delight..