Review Archive
Born and raised in the Wellington suburb of Petone, in the Hutt Valley, Jan-Maree proudly identifies as a Hamiltonian, the city she has called home since 2003.
One of New Zealand’s most successful female comedians Jan-Maree began her career as a poet. Moving from spoken word to stand-up she won the Billy T award in 2001, the NZ Comedy Guild Award for “Best Female Comedian” in 2009 and in 2011 she won the Fred Award, becoming the first and is still the only female comedian to receive the NZ International Comedy Festival’s supreme award. She is something of an icon at Hamilton East watering hole The Cook, hosting a monthly comedy showcase for a whopping ten and a half years; the longest running pub comedy gig in New Zealand.
Since 2001 Jan-Maree has written for radio and television across a number of genre. She is a performance mentor, director and dramaturge with over fifteen years of experience in comedy, drama, improvisation and live theatre production. Having grown up in New Zealand’s home of quality theatre, Jan has a natural affinity for theatre, and a wealth of experience working both sides of the curtain, having held numerous roles as a production manager, stage manager, publicist and promoter.
Over the past nine years Jan-Maree has led and facilitated performance production, theatre and writing workshops for people experiencing mental illness, under the auspices of Centre 401 as preparation for the Waikato’s annual Mad Pride celebrations.
Most recently Jan-Maree has worked with Sydney-based Kiwi writer/actor Samuel Christopher new drama, The Violence of Ngaire Chambers, as a script advisor.
Jan-Maree became a reviewer for Theatreview in early 2013.
After twenty years harvesting LOLS Jan-Maree has hung up her microphone, and is living a new dream. Being retired doesn’t mean she isn’t gigging – for a good cause or good money, she will – though she is adamant she is no longer available for children’s parties.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
LIFE MUSIC
Hamilton
24/02/2016 - 26/02/2016
"Nuanced truth with style..
Drowning in Veronica Lake
Hamilton, Wellington, New Plymouth, Tauranga, Auckland, Dunedin
22/02/2011 - 23/02/2016
"This is what magnificent theatre looks like..
"The Fame Monster..
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THREE GUYS IN DRAG SELLING THEIR STUFF
Hamilton
21/02/2016 - 22/02/2016
"Disappointing..
THE LOOSE DICK KIDDIES SHOW
Auckland, Dunedin, Wellington
12/02/2016 - 12/03/2016
"Could be fantastic..
"Masterful in all its glorious smuttiness..
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BLUE STOCKINGS
Hamilton
11/11/2015 - 14/11/2015
"A most uplifting story..
HUDSON & HALLS LIVE!
Auckland, Wellington, Kerikeri, Wanaka, New Plymouth, Christchurch, Dunedin
05/11/2015 - 16/12/2017
"Comedy great Christmas fare..
"Utterly captivating..
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EIGHT GIGABYTES OF HARDCORE PORNOGRAPHY
Auckland
18/06/2015 - 11/07/2015
"Go hardcore or go home..
"Download Incomplete – Error Occurred..
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STATE HIGHWAY 48
Hamilton
23/02/2015 - 27/08/2016
"A cracker..
"Impressive, entertaining, witty..
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ON THE CONDITIONS AND POSSIBILITIES OF HILLARY CLINTON TAKING ME AS HER YOUNG LOVER
Hamilton, Auckland, NYC, USA, Takaka, Nelson, Havelock North, Wellington, Edinburgh, Scotland, Dunedin
16/02/2015 - 08/10/2016
"The real presidential debate..
"Top-notch satire ★★★★★..
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MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING
Hamilton
16/02/2015 - 22/02/2015
"Better luck next time..
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM
Auckland
13/02/2015 - 07/03/2015
"A Perfect Midsummer Night Out..
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR
Auckland
01/11/2014 - 30/11/2014
"Jesus and co cover visual cracks with voices from heaven..
"Jesus Lives!..
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Uncle Minotaur
Auckland
03/10/2014 - 18/10/2014
"Tying laces before loose ends #2..
"Skilled production but left feeling empty..
Second Afterlife
Auckland
03/10/2014 - 18/10/2014
"Tying laces before loose ends #1..
"A great story immaculately played..
OLD MOUT CIDER COMEDY GALA 2014
Auckland
24/04/2014 - 24/04/2014
"Jellybeans..
IN EXTREMIS
Hamilton
24/02/2014 - 27/02/2014
"Undeniable passionate love..
THE CAROUSEL
Hamilton
24/02/2014 - 27/02/2014
"Solid silliness and light entertainment..
ODYSSEY
Hamilton, Auckland
26/06/2013 - 27/02/2014
"“One of the most exciting theatre pieces I have had the privilege to see”..
"Gets the emotion of our desire to reach our goals across..
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THE COMEDY OF ERRORS
Hamilton
17/02/2014 - 23/02/2014
"Timeless laughs..
YO FUTURE
Hamilton
15/02/2014 - 20/02/2014
"Funny, angering, original..
"Funny, angering, original..
TALES BY THE RIVER - THE GODDESS OF FIRE
Hamilton
15/02/2014 - 23/02/2014
"Not one joke misses the mark..
THE BITCHES’ BOX
Auckland, Edinburgh, Scotland, Taranaki, Hamilton, Invercargill
21/02/2013 - 02/05/2014
"A Festival highlight..
"Adorably accurate sensational show..
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