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.
ZEN DOG: SATORI
Auckland
01/11/2016 - 05/11/2016
"Unpretentiously compelling..
UNDER MILK WOOD
Dunedin, Nelson, Auckland
08/10/2016 - 22/10/2016
"Celebrating timeless brilliance..
"Effortless, agile, polished and fresh..
More reviews
TENNESSEE retro
Auckland
18/10/2016 - 22/10/2016
"Southern Discomfort..
"Endearing humour belies tragic despair..
CALL OF THE SPARROWS
Auckland
12/10/2016 - 16/10/2016
"Delightful tale of old world vs new..
"Reasons to be Proud..
More reviews
JESSE GRIFFIN in CENTAUR
Auckland
11/10/2016 - 15/10/2016
"Mirthfully earnest pretension..
FIRE ON THE RIVER
Auckland
06/10/2016 - 30/10/2016
"Commendable effort..
SHEBA'S TRIBUTE TO NINA SIMONE
Auckland
01/10/2016 - 02/10/2016
"A resounding success..
VALERIE
Nelson, Auckland, Wellington, Havelock North
27/09/2016 - 18/10/2018
"Theatre for the wild, bleeding soul..
"Admirable intelligence, craft and inventiveness..
More reviews
SUITS
Auckland
27/09/2016 - 01/10/2016
"A cathartic blast of punk rock fun..
VANILLA MIRAKA
Wellington, Auckland, Global
04/11/2014 - 31/05/2020
"Delightful, funny and poignant..
"A sincere quest or an ‘othering’ piss-take?..
More reviews
CLOSE CITY
Auckland
10/09/2016 - 17/09/2016
"Alluring and ultimately disturbing reverie..
"A Doll’s Hell..
More reviews
GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES
Auckland
08/09/2016 - 17/09/2016
"Gruesome injuries over decades won’t cut you to the quick..
"Skilfully pinpointed truth..
SHAM
Auckland
31/05/2016 - 04/09/2016
"Masterful characterisations the lynchpin..
"Plenty to warm the belly in tasty feud..
More reviews
MATING IN CAPTIVITY
Auckland, Wellington
16/08/2016 - 18/08/2018
"Loudly appreciated on opening night..
"Page to Stage..
More reviews
LENNON: Through A Glass Onion
Auckland
10/08/2016 - 14/08/2016
"Glass act pares back the layers of Lennon..
"Come Together..
More reviews
LEILANI
Auckland
04/08/2016 - 13/08/2016
"Finding Ourselves in the Form..
"Giggles a work in progress..
More reviews
DEXTER’S AMAZING AFRICAN ADVENTURE
Auckland
08/07/2016 - 22/07/2016
"Glued to the Stage..
"Educational escapism clamorously appreciated..
EDGES
Auckland
07/07/2016 - 16/07/2016
"Could get closer..
"Quartet's vocal talents a fine start for new venture..
More reviews
Love N Stuff
Auckland
23/06/2016 - 03/07/2016
"Fun, warm play has broad appeal..
"Overstuffed..
More reviews
LA VIE DANS UNE MARIONETTE
Auckland, Havelock North, Wellington
28/02/2013 - 25/03/2017
"Impeccable timing, grace and skill..
"Exhilaratingly funny, sad and heart-warming..
More reviews
MILKY BITS
Auckland, Wellington
14/06/2016 - 02/07/2016
"A highly entertaining and therapeutic gift..
"Original and innovative..
More reviews
POTATO STAMP MEGALOMANIAC
Wellington, Auckland
23/02/2016 - 18/06/2016
"Drink the Kool-aid..
"Fervent philosophical conversations on existential revolution blend with inquiry into clinical hypomania..
More reviews
BARE
Auckland, Palmerston North
26/05/2016 - 12/08/2016
"Beautiful, funny and real with glimpses of sad..
"Less is More..
More reviews