ArtScene

Monumental, captivating, history-making. That is how you might describe the celebration that marked 10 years of standing strong once again, for one of Christchurch’s renowned arts establishments. The Isaac Theatre Royal’s Anniversary Variety Gala was an unforgettable celebration of resilience, creativity, and community, marketing and deveolopment manager Bianca Lindstrom says. Opening the evening […]

Josef Robertson (pictured) may only be in Year 7 at Cobham Intermediate, yet he’s already laying the groundwork for a future in the arts. Inspired by a friend’s involvement, Josef asked his parents if he, too, could join Art Metro’s after-school classes. “I wasn’t in the same group as my friend,” Josef explains. […]

Spoiler alert: A Christmas Royal giveaway is hiding in this story. Christmas in New Zealand is all about sunshine, sand, and days at the beach. Even amidst the barbecues and beach trips, there’s something special about stepping into the Isaac Theatre Royal for a dose of festive magic. In the heart of Christchurch, […]

For all those budding songwriters out there, an exciting new music scholarship is available, in conjunction with a national songwriting competition. Christchurch-based SOLE Music Academy’s competition is now open to solo songwriters of any genre, aged 15 years and up, from across New Zealand. Academy founder Sacha Vee says the competition is […]

Debbie Templeton-Page’s sculptures seem to have a wairua that yearns to reach out from their solid foundations. Serene faces that could be dreaming death-masks, abstract geometric forms that fluidly shift and turn; and long, elongated figures stretching to the heavens. The Tasmanian-born artist has established herself as a master-sculptor, honing her craft in […]

Ten years ago on 17 November, 2014, a resilient Christchurch community gathered in anticipation. After years of uncertainty following the devastating earthquakes, the doors of the iconic Isaac Theatre Royal (ITR) would swing open once again to reclaim its place in the city’s cultural heart. For many, the idea of the old lady’s […]

Jenni Foster has been attending classes at Art Metro for over half a decade. Jenni always enjoyed creative pursuits, but truly felt the need to explore her creativity as a reprieve from the stresses of her career. “Being a teacher, it’s easy for that to take over your life. It swamps you. I […]

Nurturing Christchurch’s musical talent. Christchurch has long been a city brimming with artistic talent, yet too often, our local musicians struggle to find platforms that allow their voices to be heard on a larger stage. Recognising this gap, the Isaac Theatre Royal is launching an innovative programme designed to spotlight homegrown talent: the […]

In an era where storytelling has taken on myriad forms, Where Our Shadows Meet emerges as a poignant narrative that pushes the boundaries of language, communication, and connection. Presented by the Isaac Theatre Royal (ITR) in collaboration with Equal Voices, this powerful production is a significant part of ITR’s new programming strategy, underscoring […]

With Father’s Day on Sunday 1 September this year, now is a great time to check out some of the great choices at Piccadilly Books. Here are some of my latest favourites. Invasion by Frank Gardner, reviewed by Neville Our price $38.00 The Chinese People’s Republic has repeatedly made its intentions clear in […]