The Scottish National Theatre makes an exuberant return to ale-house culture with a riotously funny and at times tenderly lyrical tribute to Scottish narrative ballads.

Screens filled with red clouds at dawn start this contemporary circus with hip-hop styling, but instead of a shepherd's warning, they herald a city delight.

Almost halfway through the Auckland Arts Festival, advance ticket sales are at a record high.

Those planning to go to Circolombia's performance shouldn't expect a circus show, but a circus concert, says its founder.

We had come to the Civic Theatre to hear Haydn and Mozart from Kronos Quartet; in partnership with pipa virtuoso Wu Man, the Americans were offering a rare mingling of music and magic.

Pictures from the opening night of the Auckland Arts Festival performance by French pyrotechnical wizards Groupe F

Those heading to tonight's performance by the Royal New Zealand Ballet should expect the rowdiness of a beer hall and a touch of Hollywood action mixed in with the more traditional fare.

Constant chest-beating from Wellington has blinded Aucklanders to their city's cultural wonders, writes Toby Manhire.

Just go see this. French pyrotechnical wizards Groupe F offer a superlative, splendiferous, explosive extravaganza. Artistic director Christophe Berthonneau and his team, and Red Leap Theatre, are to be congratulated.

Walking tours - especially those guided by a remote, apparently all-seeing, all-knowing central HQ - are full of tantalising possibilities: where will I be going? How will I know how to get there?

Cantina opens with a velvety voiced crooner promising to "shoot the moon right out of the sky" and honours that with an exhilarating acrobatics display set in the seductive ambience of a 1920s speak-easy.

Pacific Les Mis musical hugely leavened by romance, humour and funky 70s style

Natalie Blucher tells Elisabeth Easther why she loves Greenhithe's friendly and strong community

He may have lived just briefly in Wellington with his family when he was a teenager, but New Zealand has an important place in British comic artist Rufus Dayglo's heart.

We're back at work, the kids are back at school and already the summer break is an all-too-distant memory. Joanna Mathers finds out what the rest of 2013 will have in store for us.