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 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.

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The Chairs / Les Chaises

Auckland

12/03/2009 - 28/03/2009

"Be seated for a night of slapstick and hyperbole..

"Absurdist classic about the eternally questionable phenomenon of human existence..

The Arrival

Wellington, Auckland, Seoul, South Korea

12/03/2009 - 15/07/2012

"The Arrival exceeds expectations..

"Organically articulate, skilful, lyrical, universal and inspirational..

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Fluff

Auckland

12/03/2009 - 15/03/2009

"Light-hearted child’s play..

"Odd, quietly charming..

La Clique

Auckland

05/03/2009 - 22/03/2009

"Fun provokes frenzy..

Tempest: Without A Body

Auckland

05/03/2009 - 05/03/2009

"The textures of terror – should come with a warning?..

"Turmoil and suffering produce lasting impressions..

Chet Baker: Like Someone In Love

NYC, USA, Wellington, Dunedin, Auckland

21/02/2007 - 29/03/2015

"A most enjoyable occasion..

"Mood-catching musical yarn..

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Misdemeanours

Auckland

26/02/2009 - 28/02/2009

"Raunchy yet dignified..

The Thirty-Nine Steps

Auckland

12/02/2009 - 07/03/2009

"Story secondary to antics..

"Season opener good for a laugh despite gaps..

The Eight: Reindeer Monologues

Auckland

04/12/2008 - 19/12/2008

"Oh deer … It’s Mr Claus who has been a naughty boy..

"You better watch out..

Tape

Auckland

25/11/2008 - 29/11/2008

"Tight and tense..

The Trial

Auckland

13/11/2008 - 29/11/2008

"Play guilty of not living up to its promise – but with a few extenuating circumstances..

"Dynamically soul crushing inevitability..

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Auckland

07/11/2008 - 29/11/2008

"Teen neuroses mix with devotion to spelling..

"Jocose euphonious apologue..

The Little Dog Laughed

Auckland

24/10/2008 - 15/11/2008

"That’s entertainment..

"Pan-sexual shenanigans not to be missed..

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Cornershop Confessions

Auckland

16/05/2006 - 11/10/2008

"Amusingly pointed..

"Under-developed and ill-prepared..

Grace

Wellington, Auckland

19/08/2008 - 20/09/2008

"Rough around the edges but a charmer..

"Like a river love carves its own path..

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Whero’s New Net

Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington

13/09/2008 - 11/09/2009

"Net gain..

"Compelling net casting..

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Blackbird

Auckland

06/09/2008 - 27/09/2008

"Enjoyable? Not sure. Thought-provoking? Definitely...

"Feeling blue over postmodern grey areas..

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Ship Songs

Hamilton, Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Arrowtown, Paraparaumu, Wanaka

06/08/2008 - 07/04/2012

"Ship Songs Sparkles..

"Poignant, rollicking, tragic, lyrical, cheering and stirring..

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Three Sisters

Auckland

02/08/2008 - 30/08/2008

"Caged Sisters..

"Humour finds balance with high intensity..

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Blinkers and Spurs

Auckland, Wellington

23/07/2008 - 06/12/2008

"Unlikely love stories..

"Great madness in two takes..

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Cat On A Hot Tin Roof

Auckland

10/07/2008 - 02/08/2008

"Competent rather than stunning..

"‘Cat’ a hot production half a century on from Broadway debut..

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Finding Murdoch

Auckland

26/06/2008 - 19/07/2008

"Cast finds disgraced player who ‘went bush’..

"Takes a while to warm up..

Who Needs Sleep Anyway?

Auckland

07/06/2008 - 28/06/2008

"Uneasy marriage of history and farce..

"Light, frothy, frictionless..

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