Review Archive
Born: Oldham England
Came to NZ same years as the Beatles.
Educated VUW. Degrees Ll.B and MPP.
At university did much stage work in revue with Roger Hall, Cathy Downes and John Clarke; also at Downstage and, later, Circa Theatre.
Did ground-breaking satire work on TV (Edwards on Saturday). Career in television ended after defamation action taken by a highly-placed politician over a short but pithy item on the show.
Wrote extensively for the Listener, the Dominion, Sunday Times and various lifestyle magazines. Spent 16 years writing the Dominion’s Saturday editorials (1985-2001) that took a mildly satirical line – plus a byline column “As it happens”.
Musician (keyboards and vocals) who once travelled around the world on ocean going liners.
Wrote and performed incidental music for and appeared on an episode of TVNZ’s internationally award-winning series Legacy.
Worked as a private sector/public service lawyer and as a government crown entity CEO. He has an Ll.B and a Master of Public Policy degree.
Satirical play Meltdown was performed at Circa during a comedy festival.
Welcome to the review archive.
Theatre and dance reviews since 2006.
Scenes from MACBETH, A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM and HENRY V
Wellington
06/10/2019 - 06/10/2019
"More than just a performing team..
"More than just a performing team..
THE TURN OF THE SCREW
Wellington, Auckland
03/10/2019 - 23/10/2019
"A ghost story riddled with ambiguity..
"An onstage dramatic tragedy of the top rank..
MY FAIR LADY
Wellington
25/07/2019 - 03/08/2019
"Colourful, classical musical brought to life by Wellington Footlights..
"I could have stayed all night..
BLEEDING BLACK
Wellington
14/02/2017 - 20/07/2019
"Rugby as child abuse..
"Totally engaging..
More reviews
TROLL
Wellington, Tauranga, Christchurch, Gisborne
12/02/2017 - 04/10/2020
"A captivating old fashioned, modern fairytale..
"A near-perfect little nugget of mythic storytelling..
More reviews
THE MOUSETRAP
Wellington
09/05/2019 - 19/05/2019
"Something we should all have to experience..
Ray Shipley ALL THIS CRYING IS MAKING ME HUNGRY
Wellington
08/05/2019 - 11/05/2019
"“It’s as though the whole shooting box is encrypted and I don’t have the right de-encrypting gear”..
PSA: The Ghosts of Christmas Parties
Wellington
24/11/2018 - 23/12/2018
"Devastating satire where all are game and few escape..
DOCTOR FAUSTUS LIGHTS THE LIGHTS
Wellington
23/10/2018 - 27/10/2018
"A potent mix of ideas and experiences..
UNDER MILK WOOD
Wellington
13/10/2018 - 10/11/2018
"A vital and rumbustious celebration of ‘LLareggub’..
"To miss it would be a great tragedy..
CHICAGO
Wellington
13/09/2018 - 23/09/2018
"This thing moves!..
CHESS
Wellington
05/07/2018 - 14/07/2018
"Performance beats plot with artistic energy and magnetism..
WMBADX Idea Worth Spreading
Wellington, Dunedin
15/05/2018 - 29/09/2018
"Interesting muddle of laughter and confusion..
"Impressive chutzpah and sang froid..
Public Service Announcements A NEW DAWN
Wellington
08/05/2018 - 12/05/2018
"A veritable humdinger..
BEST FOODS COMEDY GALA
Wellington
29/04/2018 - 29/04/2018
"Plenty of quality laughs and promises of better things to come..
BADJELLY THE WITCH (2018)
Wellington
14/04/2018 - 27/04/2018
"Mightily impressive..
THE LIE
Wellington
07/04/2018 - 05/05/2018
"A fascinating and intriguing play..
"Commendably crisp, a stunning finish..
MOVERS
Wellington, Hamilton
05/04/2018 - 29/11/2018
"Funny, compassionate and thought-provoking..
"Rolls along effortlessly like a well-tuned van..
More reviews
SEMINAR
Wellington
03/04/2018 - 07/04/2018
"Passes from comedy to tragedy without much comedy..
