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Latest FromDionne Christian

Visiting Canadian scholar Deanne Williams is challenging the widespread belief there was a blanket ban on women performers in Shakespeare's day.

ENTERTAINMENT

Professor rubbishes girl ban in era of Shakespeare

15 Aug, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Were female performers illegal in Shakespeare's day? A visiting professor thinks not.

Dean Poole has honoured Japanese designer/table tennis master Katsumi Asaba with an interactive sculpture where the similarities between design, life and ping-pong come into play. Photo / Michael Craig

ENTERTAINMENT

Discovering the art of ping-pong

12 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

It's not everyday you can play ping-pong - on a futuristic table - as part of an art show.

Feminist writer Roxane Gay. Photo / Kieran Scott

ENTERTAINMENT

Women of the World art exhibition

11 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Based on the book 200 Women, this exhibition could truly change the way you see the world.

Surrounded by Ormiston Junior College pupils, Kalyani Nagarajan plays Mrs Krishnan in Indian Ink's latest production.

ENTERTAINMENT

Indian Ink goes back to school

10 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Going back to school gives one of our most successful theatre companies a chance to learn.

Jennifer Ludlam in Filthy Business, a play based on its writer's own family business.

ENTERTAINMENT

Play with bounce

10 Aug, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Rather than run from his past, Ryan Craig embraced and re-imagined filthy family business.

NEW ZEALAND

Writer books herself a place in award history

8 Aug, 2018 8:00pm
6 minutes to read

Author Bren MacDibble's had a tough few years, but now she's got two reasons to smile.

TRAVEL

Brisbane: Head to the festival

7 Aug, 2018 4:00pm
8 minutes to read

Dionne Christian only realises what she's been missing Helen Morse in Memorial.

Miriama McDowell plays Aria, a idealistic politician, in Sam Brooks' new play, Burn Her. Photo / supplied.

ENTERTAINMENT

Political drama is a humdinger

6 Aug, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

A wryly observed dissection of where humanity comes into politics.

Cornwall artist Mark Surridge makes work in the Owhanake Barn on Waiheke Island, where he is the first UK artist accepted for the Island's Artist-in-Residence programme. Photo/Peter Rees Photography

ENTERTAINMENT

Waiheke in winter paints appealing journey for UK artist

5 Aug, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

A Waiheke Island arts residency is attracting artists from as far afield as Cornwall.

Humans of Hendo photo project members and mentors (from front left)Shane Taane, Sharon-Rose Whyte, Denzyl Jaymes, Manuela Adams, Vanessa Green, Elliott Coco Munn and Asha Munn. Photo / Michael Craig

ENTERTAINMENT

Humans of Hendo snaps up art award

2 Aug, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

A project highlighting the hope and beauty in Henderson has won a major art award.

Rima Te Wiata sports a new look for her role as Paige in the play Hir. Photo/David St George

ENTERTAINMENT

Nuclear family dynamics explode on to Silo stage

28 Jul, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Hunt for the Wilderpeople star in explosive new role as we've never seen her before.

Victoria Abbott is fierce on stage and in the poster for her show, Run Rabbit. Photo / Sacha Stejko and George Wallace

ENTERTAINMENT

Theatre review: Run Rabbit

28 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

Past and present brought together in masterful exploration of life under siege.

Darcy Murray (centre) is a member of the Covert Theatre, a community improv group that likes to laugh.

ENTERTAINMENT

Nothing covert about performers' love for comedy

26 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

The audiences might do much of the plotting but there's always a plan with Covert Theatre.

Victoria Abbott has written and performs in Run Rabbit, a homage to her ancestor Black Agnes. Photo / Sacha Stejko and George Challis

ENTERTAINMENT

Actor honours rebel ancestor with solo show

24 Jul, 2018 1:20pm
4 minutes to read

Performer honours rebel woman from history and ancestor Black Agnes with solo show.

Carol Dumbleton, now directing the Agatha Christie murder mystery Towards Zero, remembers serving the best-selling writer coffee and biscuits. Photo / Brett Phibbs

ENTERTAINMENT

Director's special link to Agatha Christie

21 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

An Auckland theatre director has a personal connection to Queen of Crime, Agatha Christie.

The cast of Massive Theatre Company's Sightings.

ENTERTAINMENT

In the company of friends

20 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

On the eve of their new show, Kura Forrester and Miriama McDowell talk about friendship.

Pop- up Globe founder and artistic director Miles Gregory says the announcement of its next season of plays is already stimulating debate.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pop-up Globe faces angry response to use of #metoo in marketing

18 Jul, 2018 3:00pm
5 minutes to read

Pop-up Globe faces backlash over decision to call all-male production "feminist".

Expect more theatrical trickery when Pop-up Globe returns for summer 2018 - as seen in this picture of actor Stephen Butterworth.

ENTERTAINMENT

Pop-up Globe pledges controversial line-up

17 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Abuse of power to be explored in Pop-up Globe's next season of Shakespeare.

ENTERTAINMENT

In the company of friends

14 Jul, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Massive has an unusual relationship with its performers.

NZ Barok plays two free concerts for young music lovers. Pictured are Helen Brinkman, Peter Reid, Miranda Hutton, Alison Salmons and Clara Voll aged 4. Photo / Doug Sherring

ENTERTAINMENT

Music to get the young ones (ba)roquing

11 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

It's the music of yesteryear for the kids of today.

Dylan Underwood as a shark in The Great White Man-Eating Shark and Other Stories at Pumphouse Theatre, Takapuna. Photo / David Rowland.

ENTERTAINMENT

Putting a bite into school holiday fun

9 Jul, 2018 5:00am
2 minutes to read

School holidays mean that Tim Bray Productions will stage one of its plays for children.

Dust Palace NZ'S biggest cirque theatre company is moving to a purpose built premises and is busy fundraising. Pictured is performer Jay Clement. Photo / Doug Sherring

ENTERTAINMENT

Cirque company moves to fly higher

8 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

The Dust Palace, our biggest cirque theatre company, aims to take its work to new heights.

ENTERTAINMENT

Gordon Walters: In the ultra-modern tradition

7 Jul, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Dionne Christian talks to contemporary admirers of a visionary driven to abstraction.

Amber Curreen, Briar Collard, Edward Peni and Renee Liang are producing the same play in four different languages. Photo / Bob Scott Photography

ENTERTAINMENT

Play to sit in multiple languages

4 Jul, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

In a world first, local theatre-makers will stage same play in four different languages.

Artist Shelley Simpson on her way to Rakiura/Stewart Island to work on Wild Creations.

ENTERTAINMENT

Wild Creations bring nature up close

4 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Artists explore how technology separates us from the sights and sounds of nature.

Artist Jessica Mentis, aka the Jellyologist, is helping others to get creative. Photo/Jason Oxenham

ENTERTAINMENT

Jelly artist set to show bright ideas happen at any time

1 Jul, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Artist noted for her jelly sculptures helps to shine a light on creative talent.

The polenta fries and salmon at Hinge & Co. Photo / Getty Images

LIFESTYLE

Chocoholics, look no further than Hinge & Co

30 Jun, 2018 10:30am
2 minutes to read

Plates of perfection worth driving south for, especially for chocoholics.

Luse Sua-Tuipulotu, as Aunty Siapo, in the midst of a sea of Tongan rugby fans as she searches for Dorothy in The Wizard of Otahuhu.

ENTERTAINMENT

The Wizard of Otahuhu is all drama for your school holidays

30 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

It's how The Wizard of Oz might have been had it come from South Auckland circa 2018.

A scene from He Kupu Tuku Iho, Taki Rua's first te reo play for adults. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

The revival of te reo Māori

23 Jun, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Te reo Māori taken to the page and the stage as language learning continues.

The Heath Quartet will keep their feet on the ground during a five-date New Zealand tour. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Four on the floor

22 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Playing Beethoven while hanging from ceiling was a bit different.

ENTERTAINMENT

Summer (not) Shakespeare returns for winter season

20 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Michael Hurst fires up winter with (not) Shakespeare to show thrilling Jacobean theatre.

Hattie and Libby Johnston are performing together in The National Youth Theatre Company's Cats production. Photo / Doug Sherring

ENTERTAINMENT

Broadway stardom beckons for Auckland teen

16 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Libby Johnston first Kiwi to win Presidential Scholarship to study in New York

Rachel Baker, Isobel MacKinnon and Freya Finch star in Yorick! The musical takes a light-hearted look at death and, therefore, living. Photo / Andi Crown

ENTERTAINMENT

Theatre review: To laugh or not to laugh - the choice is yours

14 Jun, 2018 7:00pm
3 minutes to read

Yorick! is a rousing celebration of living the best life you can, writes Dionne Christian.

Prayas actors Mustaq Missouri, Rishabh Kapoor and Aamir Kapasi rehearse scenes from Dara.

ENTERTAINMENT

Tale to rival most modern family dramas

13 Jun, 2018 6:00am
3 minutes to read

A family at war; an empire in balance - no, it's not Game of Thrones but real life.

A Gamblers Guide to Dying weighs up the odds of living an extraordinary life.

ENTERTAINMENT

High hopes for local premiere of solo show

11 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

What are the odds of living an extraordinary life?

ENTERTAINMENT

Jarod Rawiri: From GI to riding high on stage & screen

9 Jun, 2018 5:00am
7 minutes to read

Jarod Rawiri's latest project is partly crafted from his hometown.

Jane Fonda is coming to New Zealand in August.

ENTERTAINMENT

Jane Fonda to visit New Zealand

9 Jun, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Hollywood superstar Jane Fonda will make her first visit to New Zealand in August.

Inspired by Shakespeare but nothing like any of his plays, Yorick! is a light-hearted look at mortality.

ENTERTAINMENT

Death to have its day in musical about mortality

6 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

All that lives must die, wrote Shakespeare; NZ play wants us to talk about that.

Te Kohe Tuhaka stars in Auckland Theatre Company's production of Anton Chekov's The Cherry Orchard, moved from Russia to Hawke's Bay.

ENTERTAINMENT

How a Hawke's Bay farm sale story is a Russian classic

2 Jun, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Classic play robust enough to stand up to global move, says theatre director Colin McColl.

Blair Strang, at the PumpHouse Theatre, prepares to return to the stage playing Lucifer in the home-grown play, Morningstar.

ENTERTAINMENT

Morningstar or a devil of a play?

30 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Actor Blair Strang prepares to return to the stage in a devil of a role.

Puppeteers (L-R) Mita Tuoaea, Ani Nuku, Tavai Puni Tupaea (front) Sarah Burren (creative director) and Rokalani Lavea from Heaven and Earth-Rangi and Papa. Photo / Dean Purcell

ENTERTAINMENT

Stars shine bright for matariki

28 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Even on the smell of an oily rag, you can still make bright theatre, says costume-maker.

Kate Hursthouse at work on images for A Kaleidoscope of Butterflies, which uses her calligraphy and hand-brushed lettering and drawings.

ENTERTAINMENT

Renaissance artist - the Aucklander helping keep alive age-old art of calligraphy

26 May, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Using sets of pens, Kate Hursthouse makes an art form from words.

Head of wardrobe Sophie Ham with Pene Pati, who plays Nemorino in The Elixir of Love. Photo / Doug Sherring

ENTERTAINMENT

Dressing up to get into character

26 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

At NZ Opera, wardrobe and makeup prepare for The Elixir of Love, writes Dionne Christian.

Peter Smith, pictured in his Melbourne home, is preparing to sell his contemporary art collection.

ENTERTAINMENT

Auckland Art Fair creates market for art

24 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

As Auckland Art Fair begins, auction house gets ready for one of its more unusual sales.

School holiday performances kept (clockwise from front left) Torie Pickering, Abigail, Caleb and Joshua Leulua'i-Alo and Minia Prescott entertained and happy.

ENTERTAINMENT

Arts give South Auckland kids a wizard of a time

23 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

South Auckland kids say new friends, confidence and a wizard of a time make arts fun.

Theatre-makers Amelia Reynolds (left) and Saraid Cameron have delved into museum archives for source material for a new play.

ENTERTAINMENT

Plays gives historic archive modern look

23 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

A little known museum archive devoted to NZ women inspires play for 125th suffrage year

Auckland Museum's holiday programme. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Arts survey draws surprise result from young Kiwis

23 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Survey shows New Zealanders love the arts - but young people don't feel creative.

Writer Ngugi wa Thiong o opened up about enduring racism from the mouths of his role models.

ENTERTAINMENT

Best bits of the Auckland Writers Festival

21 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Dionne Christian celebrates a fabulous gathering that shows us new ideas for old problems.

Artist Shane Cotton says a studio has to be a place you want to spend time in.

ENTERTAINMENT

Artists in residence: Where artists find their happy place

19 May, 2018 5:00am
13 minutes to read

Dionne Christian asks artists what 'place' means to them. Made with funding from NZ On Air

Pip Adam, the winner of the $50,000 Acorn Foundation Fiction Prize at this year's Ockham NZ Book Awards.

ENTERTAINMENT

Writing styled on cutting edge career

19 May, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

'I was kind of expecting it to be a lesson in how to be a good loser'.

Norwegian author Karl Ove Knausgard speaks at the Auckland Writers Festival this weekend. Photo / Greg Bowker

ENTERTAINMENT

Book world's man of the moment hits town

18 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Karl Ove Knausgǻrd is a global literary phenomenon; now he's in Auckland.

The Lunar Reflection Transmission Technique performance as seen in the Mleiha desert in the United Arab Emirates. Photo / Courtesy of Sharjah Art Foundation

ENTERTAINMENT

Giant cinema will leave you moonstruck

16 May, 2018 5:00am
4 minutes to read

Get ready to unleash your inner werewolf and see the moon on screen as never before.

New Zealand's best books, as decided by the judges at the Ockham New Zealand Book Awards.

ENTERTAINMENT

Confrontational NZ novel best of the year

15 May, 2018 9:00pm
4 minutes to read

And then there were four - New Zealand's best books of 2017 announced.

George Henare has been performing in Australia for two years as the Sultan in Aladdin. Now he's coming back to Auckland with the show in January. Photo / Jason Oxenham

ENTERTAINMENT

Henare coming home for Aladdin

15 May, 2018 8:00pm
3 minutes to read

Two years after joining Aladdin, NZ actor George Henare is still awestruck by its scale.

Be prepared to be dazzled by Disney's Aladdin when it arrives in Auckland in January. Photo / Supplied

ENTERTAINMENT

Magical musical Aladdin to fly in for summer

14 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Disney announces the next blockbuster musical to fly into New Zealand.

Bridget Fogarty, left, Jane Langley and Becky Ollivier who have had their book,

ENTERTAINMENT

Musings on motherhood go global

12 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

From kitchen table to US deal, three Kiwi mums have more reason to celebrate Mother's Day.

ENTERTAINMENT

Move your feet with Stomp

12 May, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Get your feet stomping to the soundtrack of everyday life, writes Dionne Christian.

Albert Wendt, Fred Graham, Billy Apple, Dame Gillian Whitehead and Bill Manhire, pictured with Govenor General Dame Patsy Reddy, received Arts Foundation Icon Awards.

ENTERTAINMENT

Icons of NZ art world recognised

10 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Who are the five New Zealanders joining an elite group of our most iconic artists?

Jodie Dorday as Deb, a woman with time on her hands and romance stories on her mind.

ENTERTAINMENT

Actress Jodie Dorday's literary love affair

9 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Jodie Dorday back on stage in Roger Hall rom-com where books are centre stage.

A scene from Stephen Shropshire's The Geography of an Archipelago. Photo: Caroline Bindon.

ENTERTAINMENT

Dancing to a new rhythm sets choreographer on new journey

2 May, 2018 5:00am
3 minutes to read

Most direct way to a goal isn't always best, says choreographer after NZ dance travels.

Fiction, sci-fi and short story writer Karen Joy Fowler, soon to speak at the Auckland Writers Festival, transcends genre boundaries.

ENTERTAINMENT

Author Karen Joy Fowler makes the ordinary extraordinary

28 Apr, 2018 5:00am
6 minutes to read

Karen Joy Fowler's books surprise because, says the writer, why do the same old thing?

Jennifer Ward-Lealand stars as Mrs Warren in a provocative comedy given a truly modern make-over.

ENTERTAINMENT

Mrs Warren's Profession still the subject of heated debate

28 Apr, 2018 5:00am
5 minutes to read

Auckland play suggests attitudes to sex work no more liberal than they were last century.