Look Ma, we’re famous!
Check out some of our news features, radio interviews, podcasts, and more
1News (TVNZ)
Waiting in the Wings
News feature about our post-lockdown concert, Waiting in the Wings, an evening of songs and scenes from performances cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Press
Culture in Christchurch
News feature about the theatre scene in Christchurch, focusing on The Isolation Mixtape Vol. 1.
We were lucky enough to feature on hit
Kiwi podcast ‘Kick Ons’!
Check it out to hear Director Ben Freeth discussing The Isolation Mixtape Vol. 2.
RDU || The Morning After with Ben and Josh
Ben and Josh talk to Director Ben Freeth about The Isolation Mixtape Vol. 2. Click HERE to listen.
RNZ The Weekend with Karyn Hay
Nomi Cohen talks about What The Quiz Is This?! as a part of the Bread & Circus Festival.
Plains FM with Nicki Reece
Nomi Cohen joins Nicki Reece to discuss What The Quiz Is This?! and the Bread & Circus Festival. Click HERE to listen.
The reviews are in!
Read up on some of our past productions
“…let’s just take a moment to talk about Meredith [Jackson]. Vocals: on point. Musical skills: excuse me, where did that come from? An emotional cover of a typically unemotional song: yes, please.”
“Jack Shatford, as Mr Harvey, channelled and delivered well the classic camp comic character and proved to be the cast member with the greatest ability for physical humour.”
“I was left rather impressed by the comical fool, Harry (Jackson Lam Sheung) and their expert grappling of a Cockney accent… Lam Sheung further proved their prowess on the stage with what I thought were the most diverse vocals of the troop.”
“Suppose you’re wondering where the critical part of this review is. You won’t find it…”
- Liam Stretch, Backstage Christchurch
“Congratulations to Blackboard Theatre Collective on The Isolation Mixtape Vol. 2. It’s creative, gutsy and bold ideas like this that will ensure New Zealand continues to develop its own musical theatre identity, and give creative opportunities to make fearlessly without the constraints of commercial objectives or agendas.”
- Naomi van den Broek, Flat City Field Notes
What The
Quiz Is This?!
“I love giving people a space and an opportunity in which they feel like they can let go of emotions and escape the real world for a little while.”
- Q&A with Nomi Cohen, Cityscape
“A show like this has unlimited potential and infinite possibilities, it would be amazing to see this become a real fixture of the festival year after year; my team and I would be back in a heartbeat!”
- Sophie Ricketts, Backstage Christchurch
“Don’t be a dick, just be yourself”
- Nomi Cohen, Advice To Your 22 Year Old Self
“People have a really fun time. It avoids that feeling when you walk away from a pub quiz and think, ‘I know nothing’.”
- Nomi Cohen, Stuff
“We’re striving for as much enjoyment and belly laughs as possible. I’m talking Dolly Parton sung by a drag character in court.”
- Jeremy Hinman, Interview with Stuff
“Most artists share their talents for the love of the craft and often don’t understand the change they can make with a few simple lines and a song, but these actors need to know that they were spreading a perfect message of love…This latest performance has reinforced to me that Ōtautahi is reclaiming its place as a centre for the arts – and a diverse one at that.”
- Liam Stretch, Backstage Christchurch
“Artists provide not just entertainment and delight to distract from the pain, but help us truly grapple with that pain, understand it further and, hopefully, purge it a little.”
- Maddison Northcott, Stuff
“Blackboard Theatre Collective's latest production, Waiting in the Wings, features material from more than a dozen postponed or cancelled projects, called off due to coronavirus.”
- Chloe Rabinowitz,
Broadway World
"Individually, it gives us a sense of purpose and sense of place, which sometimes mainstream society doesn't necessarily give us.”
- Tim Maguire,
Interview with the Otago Daily Times
Fundraiser for The Champion Centre
"[Theatre] is an art form that should be embraced by younger people, especially in a considerably arty and hip city like Christchurch."
- Ben Freeth, Interview with Stuff
“The talent in Christchurch is world class and I would encourage people to come along to be entertained and do something good for the community at the same time.”
- Georgia Heard, Scoop
“The standing ovation at the end of the night was a clear sign of the audience’s appreciation. I applaud the BTC for wanting to address the gender imbalance issue which exists throughout the theatre industry.”
- What’s Up Christchurch
“The Court Theatre is hosting a festival packed full of laughter, theatre and music; bringing some of New Zealand's best talent together in Canterbury.”
- Open House Festival, Broadway World
“Bechdel Test: An Evening of Women in Theatre is a fresh, timely concept, brought to fruition by heartfelt, earnest performances. Blackboard Theatre Collective’s kaupapa to give opportunities to embolden young, aspiring creatives has well and truly been met in this production.”
- Kate Divett, Backstage Christchurch
“Producing eight original cabaret style shows, presented in four double bills over one week may seem an ambitious endeavour even for an established company, the two shows offered tonight and the audience’s reaction prove there is ample space for The Blackboard Collective in our city’s theatrical landscape, and that they are definitely improving the view.”
- Ruth Agnew, What’s Up Christchurch
“It is about promoting you in whatever shape, form, colour or orientation that is.”
- Jeremy Hinman,
Interview with The Star (page 28)
“The mix of talent and skill on stage was superb and everyone associated with the production should be very, very proud.”
- Sophie Ricketts, Backstage Christchurch
“…from the wide range of theatre that I've seen so far this year, Blackboard Theatre Collective's Catch Me If You Can goes straight to the top of my list.”
- Tony Ryan, Stuff
"We need to foster the industry somewhere, and are hoping to be the place to foster that creativity and talent."
- Ben Freeth, Interview with Stuff
“This is a pivotal moment for The Blackboard Collective. They definitely have the onstage talent, and it’s wonderful to see such this proactive approach.”
- Ruth Agnew, What’s Up Christchurch
