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Dramatic Pause
A newsletter for arts and culture coverage across New Zealand and the world, including journalism, reviews, and essays by Sam Brooks.

Latest

Dec
10
Critical Corner: Genuine and Stable

Critical Corner: Genuine and Stable

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Proudly Asian Theatre Company's production of Genuine and Stable.
3 min read
Nov
21
How I Review: Samuel Te Kani

How I Review: Samuel Te Kani

In the second edition of How I Review, an interview with writer and filmmaker Samuel Te Kani.
7 min read
Nov
14
How I Review: Erin Harrington

How I Review: Erin Harrington

In the first edition of How I Review, an interview with academic and arts critic Erin Harrington, founder of the
13 min read
Nov
12
Critical Corner: Hoods Landing, Life on a Loop

Critical Corner: Hoods Landing, Life on a Loop

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of a fantastic debut novel and a moving show about aged care.
7 min read
Nov
10

How I Review: A New Series

The introduction for a new series (for paid subscribers only!) of in-depth interviews with New Zealand critics. A few months
3 min read
Oct
29
Critical Corner: Ilang-Ilang

Critical Corner: Ilang-Ilang

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Ilang-Ilang, a new Filipino ghost story play debuting at Basement Theatre.
5 min read
Oct
21
Critical Corner: Boots

Critical Corner: Boots

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Netflix’s muddled new gay-slash-military-slash-coming of age drama, Boots. It took
5 min read
Oct
15
The Celebrity Traitors finally converted me

The Celebrity Traitors finally converted me

... or how I learned to love the show that is apparently super easy to love. The past two years have
4 min read
Oct
10
Critical Corner: Roofman, The Ghost of Yōtei

Critical Corner: Roofman, The Ghost of Yōtei

In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Channing Tatum's new film Roofman and new PS5 exclusive Ghost of Yōtei.
6 min read
Sep
30
Critical Corner: One Battle After Another

Critical Corner: One Battle After Another

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Paul Thomas Anderson's One Battle After Another, which continues a near-unparalleled reign of "so much"-ness.
5 min read