Stories

There’s a lot going on with your production of Eight Songs for a Mad King – how would you describe it to the uninitiated? A slowly eviscerating work that stretches the human voice to its limits. The staging sounds very different – any unique challenges from that? We are pushing the form to the limits and are trusting the audience to go with it. What are you hoping your production will bring to the script? You say you want to break down barriers between performers and audience – how? The audience is so close to the performer that they literally feel him passing through them. He is so close to the audience that their reactions in turn affect his every nuance. It happens at a molecular level perhaps? You have a strong reputation for directing award-winning opera, what has been your favourite show to direct so far? I look forward. Time enough...

This year brings a new focus for New Zealand Opera – connecting with the people and stories of Aotearoa and introducing the artform to new audiences. Its ambition is to reimagine opera, embrace the cultural and social identities of our diverse communities, and ensure a vibrant and sustainable presence for opera in New Zealand. The production of Peter Maxwell Davies’ Eight Songs for a Mad King shows just how bold NZ Opera is prepared to be in its mission – director Thomas de Mallet Burgess recasts the historical figure of Mad King George into a modern-day corporate everyman. Partnering with the ground-breaking contemporary music ensemble Stroma, this modern take on opera promises to be a bold and immersive experience. Originally scheduled for March 25 – 29, this has been postponed to the end of 2020. In October and November, NZ Opera will present Poulenc and Cocteau's opera The Human Voice in...

Musical chameleon Michael Griffiths brings his Cole Porter tribute show to the Jazz and Cabaret Festival. He tells Cityscape what drew him to the songs of the Broadway maestro, and who his dream collab would be with. What are your favourite Cole Porter songs and why? I’m a big fan of 'Love For Sale', it’s so haunting and melancholy. Also hard to go past a good Porter ‘list' song, and ‘Let’s Do It’ always goes down a treat. The magic with Cole Porter is that you can have already heard his songs a thousand times and they remain still as delightful as on first hearing. The pining romance in ‘Night And Day’ is very special and I reckon that one's my favourite. When did you discover the music of Cole Porter? I studied musical theatre in the late ‘90s in Western Australia and I remember in history class being brought up...

Here’s something to look forward to – November’s inaugural Jazz & Cabaret Festival will bring joy and some sweet and sultry sounds to the city. Check out our Top 5 picks. 01 – Tina Del Twist Serving cabaret at its best, Tina Del Twist has a voice as smooth as silk and a sly comedic wit. Backed by guitar maestro Stephen Weir, they will perform songs of INXS, Nina Simone, Nat King Cole and more. 02 – Both Sides Now: Julia Deans Julia Deans will perform the classic tunes of Joni Mitchell. Deans’ vocal range jumps from sweet falsetto to low growl. Expect a personal and profound interpretation of Mitchell’s lyrical imagery. 03 – Michael Griffiths Aussie cabaret performer Michael Griffiths will bring his own flair to the timeless anthems of songwriter Cole Porter. The hits will include ‘You’re the Top’ and ‘It’s De-Lovely’. 04 – Hometown: Adele Covers Kate Taylor...

Jodi Wright founded Christchurch’s World Buskers Festival in 1994 and followed it up in 1995 with the inaugural Jazz and Blues Festival. Now she is at it again, this time with a week-long festival celebrating all things jazz and cabaret. She tells Cityscape what she loves about organising festivals, and what keeps her awake at night. How do you go about deciding on the lineup for a festival? I’ve learned a bit over the years about artists and acts who appeal to Christchurch audiences as I’ve spent a considerable amount of time attending national and international festivals, concerts and shows searching for acts to enlist for the World Buskers Festival and the Jazz and Blues Festival. What will be your own highlights in the festival lineup? Every single day of the festival has a show I need to experience. What is it about organising festivals that keeps you coming back for...

They’re big stilettos to fill but Caroline Borole welcomes the opportunity of becoming Tina Turner each night. The challenges of the role have made her a better performer, she tells Cityscape ahead of her Christchurch appearance in November. What’s the best thing about getting to be Tina Turner? It’s the notion of embodiment that comes with the role. She is very multi-faceted, and I enjoy every moment of her. What was your first response to getting to play such a huge role? My first response was nerves but at the same time full excitement!! Which of her songs do you enjoy performing the most? I enjoy singing all her songs but if I were to choose, I would say ‘Proud Mary’ and of course ‘Simply the Best’! Have you ever seen the real Tina perform? I have never seen her perform live but best believe I have watched every concert on...

It might be autumn but The Colombo is springing forth with growth and new businesses. Get along and see what is happening at this dynamic Sydenham hotspot – it’s just a five-minute walk from the CBD and there's ample parking. There’s always something going on at The Colombo. The various retail, food and entertainment options on offer make it the perfect place to connect with friends. Escape and explore the decadent culinary providers, the many fashion, beauty and homeware boutiques, and the day spa and cinema. The Rabbit ClubThis super funky canteen-style eatery is expanding, so there’ll be plenty more room to indulge in some of their delish salads and soups. Green Botanic There’s a new florist bursting with household plants and flowers to add a lush splash to your home. The Book ClubA cool wee nook perfect to read and purchase the latest releases, but also to attend book clubs with...

A world of food and drink await at the ultra-modern and happening surrounds of EntX Entertainment Central. Grab a bite to eat, quench your thirst and then kick back and enjoy the latest on the big screen. EntX is not just another food court. Diverse flavours and gastronomic experiences await in the ground-floor hospitality precinct. You can grab a satisfying meal or a quick bite with options from hot to cold and sweet or savoury. The eateries on offer include gastropub Cleaver & Co, which serves up some delicious BBQ dishes. Hanoi Old Quarter has the Vietnamese goods including spicy noodle phos, braised pork belly and classic sweet and sour stir-frys. Simple, fresh and tasty dishes are available at Joe’s Garage, where you can wash it down with a beer. Sweet treats, teas and desserts can be picked up from Leemo, while the Portuguese chicken masters at Nando’s are bringing the...

Bold, beautiful flavours created right here – that’s the promise from Canterbury’s legion of dedicated artisans and growers. Whether you are after the best of staples such as bread and meat or want to try something new, you’re in the right place. Christchurch is heaven for food fans with a wealth of artisanal producers. With some of the best produce in the world on their doorstep, many of the region’s small food producers have carved themselves a big reputation, with Canterbury always well represented in national artisan cuisine awards. The variety and quality of what’s available locally is huge, so why opt for bland and mass produced when the region’s artisans and growers are powering out bold, beautiful flavours right here? “Artisan eating” is on the rise as people turn to local producers for freshness, low food miles, and natural ingredients. So if you haven’t already, it’s time to branch out;...

Making a good cocktail is a mix of science and alchemy. And just like a chef sourcing the best ingredients, you get out what you put in. From humble beginnings in the 1800s, the cocktail enjoyed its first golden age in Prohibition-era speakeasies, the sweet mixers helping to mask the harsh, inferior liquors on offer. Today, cocktails are well into their second golden age, this time as a celebration of the excellent ingredients and techniques available to the modern bartender. These masters of mixology have moved on from resurrecting such Prohibition-era classics as the Whisky Sour and Tom Collins. Their sights are now set on reclaiming the drinks of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, reimagining them and correcting the mistakes of a time infamous for poor quality ingredients and spirits, and crudely brazen names. Bartenders are challenging themselves to create the best possible versions of the likes of the Cosmopolitan, Tequila...

To celebrate International Women’s Day on March 8, Taranaki’s Juno Gin will release a new gin pack that highlights the incredible lives of three Kiwi women who helped shape Aotearoa. The Trailblazers gift pack features four 200ml bottles with three recipes chosen to reflect activist, philanthropist and arts patron Monica Brewster, artist and poet Emily Harris, and surgeon and researcher Jean Sandel. It will also include Juno’s signature Extra Fine Gin. The pack was labelled the Trailblazers to reference the vivacious personality of all three women. Founder of Juno Gin, Jo James says “By raising these women up as role models, we aim to remind ourselves, as well as other Kiwis, that we too can be part of the solution and leave a positive mark on the world around us”. Each delicious drop contains different flavour profiles. Monica Brewster was a worldly and well-travelled woman, who advocated women's rights. MONICA is...

Cityscape takes you on a tour of the city known as New Zealand’s vegetarian and vegan capital. The seeds of healthy eating and veganism have worked their way to the surface and sprouted a burgeoning trend among the Christchurch hospo scene, bringing with them a scrumptious selection of plant-based and healthy eateries. Widely recognised as New Zealand’s vegetarian and vegan capital, Christchurch has more plant-based, sustainable and overall ‘clean and green’ eats on offer than ever before, and serving up delish fare that caters to a wide array of dietary requirements and preferences has been top of the agenda for many restaurants and cafés. New venues and outlets have sprung up in this fertile ground, resulting in a medley of must-try dining experiences and other nutritious and sustainable food offerings for vegans, vegos, GF and DF peeps or those just livin’ the healthy life! Green Dinner Table Over the years, healthy...

The search for quality and variety is what drives the city's passionate coffee roasters and blenders. Coffee, coffee, coffee – we love, love, love it. Whether it’s our breakfast latté, mid-morning long black or maybe even a frappé or cold brew later in the day, this get-up-and-go go-to is a source of both joy and strength. Which is why for the dedicated roasters and retailers putting their all into delivering Christchurch caffeine-istas with the best the world of coffee has to offer, the focus remains firmly fixed on quality and variety. Markus and Maria Hirner of Espresso245, who market their coffee under the Viking Coffee brand, source green beans directly from Bolivia, after travelling there in 2018 to follow up on reports of a rise in high-grade specialty coffee from the central South American country. The new trading connection is a cultural one as well – Maria Hirner is originally from...

The team at plant-based food producer The Brothers Green are on a mission to get more Kiwi farmers growing hemp and more people consuming it. What got you started on the road to launching The Brothers Green?  In October 2018, we entered a competition put on by Foodstuffs and the Ministry of Awesome. The idea was to try and bring food manufacturing back to the Garden City. We entered a plant-based, high-protein snack bar for gym goers under the brand Beefy Green. We won the competition but were advised to change the name, so we did, to Hempy Bar. We wanted to educate people about the benefits of hemp, both from a health perspective and as a cropping option for farmers. We targeted the hardest market of all – children’s snack bars. If we can get kids enjoying hemp, the flow-on effects for future generations will be immeasurable. How are food...

Liven up your pantry with a few special jars of somethin’-somethin’! Hazelnut butters from White Heart step your toast up to a whole new level. Growing hazelnuts in Tai Tapu and batch roasting to perfection, White Heart have blended them with premium, organic and fair-trade ingredients for spreads such as Hazelnut and Cocoa, Hazelnut and Coconut and the delectable Hazelnut and Honey. Mandys Horseradish needs no introduction to local foodies; their authentic, old-fashioned and creamy horseradish sauce (with a kick!) has won awards and fans up and down the country, and is still produced traditionally. Cookbook author and foodie Shirley Bradstock started Shirley’s Kitchen selling her own version of delicious Italian confection panforte, but her range just keeps expanding; her spiced figs are must-tries. Good Honest bakery supply artisan bread, pastries, cakes and more to all the top eateries in town, and luckily they also have online ordering so you can have...

Christchurch is home to some of the country’s best gastropubs, with mouth-watering menus as well as a wide range of beers, wines and other beverages on offer. They are havens for fine fare based on old-skool classics and chill surrounds – Christchurch’s gastropubs are well worth exploring. In Victoria Street you’ll find The Bog, an Irish bar and restaurant offering a range of hearty Irish classics and retaining all the traditions of the classic Irish pub. It’s a short jaunt from here down to the Carlton Bar & Eatery, the purpose-built post-quake version of a bar and restaurant long part of the scene. Towards the east, Pomeroy’s Old Brewery Inn is home to more than 30 taps of New Zealand and international craft beer. They do some awesome eats too. Make a beeline for The Terrace, where you’ll find Terrace Tavern, a modern watering hole overlooking the Avon. Continue up to...

Destinations that showcase a variety of eateries under one roof are an excellent option for the chronically undecided or those heading out in a group. Riverside Market Riverside Market houses a seven-day-a-week indoor farmers’ market, boutique shopping and space for events, festivals and music. Providing a reliable source of fresh, organic, locally grown food, Riverside is a community of local independent traders, showcasing the best food producers and creators in our city and region. The development’s market square is a grand space, with a mezzanine floor hosting restaurants, a bar and a cooking school. The plan to have students at the school source their ingredients from the market below typifies the dedication to community and a shared experience for business owners and shoppers alike. riverside.nz The Welder The Welder, on bustling Welles Street, joins the impressive rank of culinary haunts such as Welles Street, Burger Burger and Supreme Supreme. The Welder...

Tejas Nikam is head chef at Vices & Virtues Restaurant and Bar at the Sudima Christchurch City. How would you describe the cuisine you create? I always want my diners to experience the best meal. The cuisine here at Vices & Virtues is fresh, modern fusion. We try to create food that is flavourful, appealing to the eye and healthy, as well as considering various options for dietary requirements. What are you striving to achieve with it? We want to be the best restaurant and well regarded, where people come with expectations and we make sure that we fulfil or better them. How do you ensure your cuisine stays relevant? I am in regular touch with local producers and suppliers and love when we are able to find and offer something that’s unique, for example our Wairiri buffalo cheese that we use in our popular burrata dish. What advice would you...