A newsletter for arts and culture coverage across New Zealand and the world, including journalism, reviews, and essays by Sam Brooks.
Latest
May
17
On the Ethics of Baby Reindeer
A rumination on the storytelling ethics behind the most popular show on the planet.
5 min read
May
16
Critical Corner: All Fours, Earth
In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of the new novels from Miranda July and John Boyne.
7 min read
May
08
Critical Corner: The Idea of You, My Favourite Mistake
In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Anne Hathaway romance The Idea of You and the new novel from Marian Keyes.
6 min read
Apr
30
Critical Corner: Challengers and Ash
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of the new hit melodrama blockbuster Challengers and Louise Wallace's novel Ash.
6 min read
Apr
23
Riding high: Zoë Robins on her role in Lucy Prebble's The Effect
Zoë Robins returns from one of the biggest series in the world to one of the year’s most-hyped productions, playing one of the lead roles in Auckland Theatre Company’s production of The Effect.
5 min read
Apr
18
It takes a village: The journey of ScatterGun
ScatterGun: After the Death of Rūaumoko exists as the newest in a long line of critically acclaimed solo work from New Zealand artists. Here is a story of the show’s development – and what makes solo work so special in the first place.
6 min read
Apr
11
Critical Corner: Scoop, The House of Hidden Meanings, et al.
In this edition of Critical Corner, reviews of Netflix film Scoop and RuPaul's memoir The House of Hidden Meanings.
7 min read
Apr
09
Cow, Uninterrupted: Micky Delahunty on their new absurdist show
An interview with the playwright on this new play, what draws them to work for young people, and their second time onstage in “thirty-something” years.
4 min read
Apr
05
Critical Corner: When I open the shop by romesh dissanayake
In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of romesh dissanayake’s debut novel When I open the shop.
5 min read
Apr
02
Some thoughts on the Auckland Arts Festival
With a week’s worth of perspective, some observations on this year’s Auckland Arts Festival – and what a festival means in 2024.