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

Latest

Jul
03
A Response: Karaoke Heaven

A Response: Karaoke Heaven

Closing out the coverage to the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival is a response to Amanda Grace Leo's journey
3 min read
Jul
02
A Response: Dangerous Goods

A Response: Dangerous Goods

A response to Dangerous Goods, the centrepiece of the second week of the Auckland Live Cabaret Festival, and potentially the
3 min read
Jun
25
A Response: All That Glitters and Cheeky Cabaret

A Response: All That Glitters and Cheeky Cabaret

A response to the opening night shows of the Auckland Cabaret Festival, resident at The Civic Theatre for the next
4 min read
Jun
22
Sons of Vao: A Response

Sons of Vao: A Response

A response to Sons of Vao, presented by Auckland Theatre Company, a play written by Vela Manusaute spanning four decades,
4 min read
Jun
11
By The Numbers: Alisha Jacob

By The Numbers: Alisha Jacob

Alisha Jacob is a Kiwi actor who’s been based in Melbourne. She recently returned to Aotearoa to work on
3 min read
Jun
04
Critical Corner: Balloon Dog

Critical Corner: Balloon Dog

In this edition of Critical Corner, a review of Indian Ink's new show, Balloon Dog, which marks a
4 min read
May
27
By The Numbers: Liv Parker

By The Numbers: Liv Parker

Liv Parker (She/Her) is an actor and comedian who hails from Ōtautahi, and is based in Tāmaki Makaurau. She
5 min read
May
25
RBG: Of Many, One: A Response

RBG: Of Many, One: A Response

A response RBG: Of Many, One, presented by Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live in collaboration with Sydney Theatre Company,
6 min read
May
11
By The Numbers: Jonjon Tolovae

By The Numbers: Jonjon Tolovae

Jonjon Tolovae is a Fa’afafine writer and artist based in Tāmaki Makaurau whose work interrogates the intersections of gender,
6 min read
May
08
By The Numbers: Joel Vinsen

By The Numbers: Joel Vinsen

Joel Vinsen is a musician, improviser, and a 2026 Billy T award nominated comedian. He approaches comedy with equal parts
4 min read