About

THEATRE SCENES is an independent and alternative blog for reviews, interviews, news and commentary of theatre productions in Auckland and beyond. Our bloggers are James Wenley, Matt Baker, Sharu Delilkan and Rosabel Tan.

If you have a production you would like to be reviewed, or would like to suggest something to be featured on Theatre Scenes, please email james@theatrescenes.co.nz

ABOUT JAMES

James  Wenley is an independent theatre critic and enthusiast.  He began reviewing theatre for Craccum Magazine in 2008, and was the Theatre Editor 2009-2010 before establishing this online theatre voice in 2011. He is currently completing his Masters of Arts in Drama from the University of Auckland and has a double major in English and Film and an Honours degree in Drama.

James produces for Theatre of Love and past shows include Day After Night, Theatre Macabre, Free Load, Tommy, Macbeth.

He likes his theatre well done.

ABOUT MATT

Matt Baker studied as an actor at the UNITEC School of Performing And Screen Arts and has worked in theatre (My Night With Reg), musical theatre (The Lion King), short films (Breakdown), television (Amazing Extraordinary Friends), and commercials (The National Bank) for the past eight years. He is currently continuing his academic study at postgraduate level at the University of Auckland with a focus on critiquing theatre. He also continues to study as an actor with Neighbourhood Playhouse representative Mike Saccente and has begun working as a director (Lithium Kiss). Matt is represented by Kathryn Rawlings & Associates and is a member of New Zealand Actors’ Equity.

Matt began reviewing in 2011 for Craccum Magazine, and that year won the Hackman Theatre Award for best review quote of the year  for a pithy comment on that year's Othello.

Matt offered this quote towards his reviewing philosophy: "The better we do it, the greater our chance of turning a transient pleasure into a permanent possession." - Irving Wardle: Theatre Criticism.

ABOUT SHARU

Prior to blogging for Theatre Scenes, Sharu Delilkan was the freelance Entertainment editor for The Aucklander for 4+ years, writing about and promoting a huge number of arts events. She has a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications (Journalism Major), was co-founder and managing director of BB Showbiz in Malaysia working in the live music scene, and since moving to New Zealand has been highly involved with PR and the arts industry.  She is currently pursuing a Master of Arts in Arts Management at Whitecliffe College.

ABOUT ROSABEL

Rosabel Tan previously reviewed for The Lumiere Reader and Craccum magazine, where she was Theatre Editor from 2007-2008.

Treating degrees like Pokémon, Rosabel has a BA/BCom majoring in English, psychology and marketing, a Master’s in psychology and, most recently, a Master’s in Creative Writing.

Rosabel says: "Of all storytelling modes, theatre feels to me the most powerful, and it's because of this power to affect and transform that I'm continually drawn, inspired and changed by it."