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.
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..
More reviews
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..