Karaoke Heaven
A warm and nostalgic cabaret where Kiwi-born Singaporean 姐姐 Amanda Grace Leo blends Mandopop, childhood memories and the experience of living between two worlds. With big vocals, gentle humour and heartfelt storytelling, Karaoke Heaven becomes a tender journey of identity and self-love, asking what truly makes us feel whole. We rate it a 5 out of 5 performance!
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Constellations
A tender and clever two‑hander that follows Marianne and Roland through multiple possible realities, showing how tiny shifts in choice can completely reshape a relationship. Set under Matariki and adapted beautifully for Aotearoa, Constellations blends humour, heartbreak and quantum possibility into a simple but deeply affecting love story. We rate it an intimate 5 out of 5!
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Musicals Mayhem
A quiet and reflective cabaret from Le Gateau Chocolat that leans more toward honesty and vulnerability than the high‑energy chaos suggested by its title. With stripped-back musical moments, gentle pacing and open discussion about personal challenges, the show offers glimpses of humour and warmth but carries a noticeably subdued tone. We rate it a restrained 3 out of 5!
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The Velvet Lounge
A lush and playful cabaret led by Michelle Kasey and Kiki Kisses, backed by a knockout jazz quartet and standout vocals from Dillon Rhodes. Feathers, sequins, humour and slow‑burn glamour fill the room, creating a warm and indulgent night that celebrates desire, confidence and classic burlesque charm. A gorgeous, joy‑filled experience that leaves you glowing. We rate it an indulgent 4 out of 5!
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Dangerous Goods
A fierce and funny cabaret that mixes circus, burlesque, drag, aerials and fire into a wild night of rebellion. It is loud, messy, political and full of attitude, flipping old ideas about gender, beauty and power into something bold and freeing. A chaotic, high‑energy celebration of femme strength that feels like a party with a purpose. We rate it a raucous 4 out of 5!
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Ko Au, Ko Koe (Nikau Grace)
A fierce, vulnerable and deeply moving showcase from Nikau Grace, Ko Au, Ko Koe celebrates wāhine, identity and the courage to stand unapologetically in your truth. Blending blues, classical, contemporary sounds and te reo Māori, Nikau creates an intimate space filled with wairua, lush harmonies and powerful storytelling. A stunning 5 out of 5 performance!
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Sugar
A wild, glitter‑soaked rollercoaster led by the magnetic Tomáš Kantor, Sugar explodes with pop anthems, filthy humour and fearless queer storytelling. It is loud, chaotic, sexy and completely in your face, the kind of cabaret that will thrill some and confront others. Musicianship is stunning, the charisma is undeniable, and the energy never drops for a second. We rate it a polarising 3 out of 5!
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Simply Brill
A bright, joyful dive into the Brill Building’s golden age, brought to life by the powerhouse trio of Amelia Ryan, Michaela Burger and Michael Griffiths. With gorgeous harmonies, sharp storytelling and hit after hit from Carole King, Neil Sedaka, Ellie Greenwich and more, this show turns the theatre into a 60s pop playground. We rate it a charming 4 out of 5!
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All That Glitters, Gala Night
A cozy Wintergarden speakeasy bursting with sparkle. Hosted by the ever‑magnetic Luke Bird, this gala night serves up a glittering tasting menu of the festival’s stars: pop‑cabaret fire from Sugar, nostalgic charm from Simply Brill, high‑camp drag royalty celebrating Caluzzi’s legacy, sultry burlesque from The Velvet Lounge, and big‑voiced Mandopop magic from Karaoke Heaven. We rate it a fun 4 out of 5!
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Cheeky Cabaret
A wild, intimate, late‑night circus of chaos and charm. Performed on a tiny stage in the middle of The Civic, this rotating lineup of aerialists, divas, jugglers, burlesque stars, fire‑eaters, contortionists and absolute troublemakers delivers a night of laughter, danger, and deliciously unfiltered fun. We rate it an adventurous 4 out of 5!
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Sons of Vao
A raw, heartfelt Niuean story about three brothers growing up in the shadow of a father whose love and violence shaped their world. Sons of Vao blends humour, pain, and Pasifika pride as it traces four decades of family, migration, masculinity, and the long road toward forgiveness. We rate it a personal 4 out of 5!
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The Circle
A high‑energy blend of contemporary Indigenous dance, hip hop, breakdance, and Pacific movement, The Circle pulses with community, support, and collective liberation. Shifting Centre’s cast moves as one living organism, shifting from sharp battles to flowing duets, creating a world built on connection and celebration. We ate it a cohesive 4 out of 5!
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Marewen Kiribati Youth Group - The Voices of Our Ancestors
A powerful, emotional performance honouring the ancestors of Kiribati and the future carried by its rangatahi. Through bold movement, traditional song, and heartfelt storytelling, the Marewen Kiribati Youth Group lit up the Pacific Dance Festival with pride, resilience, and deep cultural connection. We rated it a powerful celebratory 5 out of 5!
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Kamataga × We Came From the Sea × Vignette of the Frigate [Bird] – Triple Bill Show
Three works. One powerful night. Kamataga honoured ancestry and queer identity, We Came From the Sea held an emotional intergenerational conversation, and Vignette of the Frigate Bird exploded with high‑energy storytelling about migration and identity. A stunning celebration of Pacific artistry and collective mana. 5 out of 5!
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Moana Showcase
The Moana Showcase lit up the Pacific Dance Festival with fresh energy from emerging Pacific artists. Featuring new works from Unitec, the University of Auckland, and the New Zealand School of Dance, the night blended contemporary movement with deep cultural roots. A vibrant celebration of identity, connection, and the creative pulse of the Moana. We rate it a well-balanced 4 out of 5!
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Call to Wallis
Call to Wallis begins as a challenge for English‑only audiences, but once it opens up, it becomes a beautifully imagined journey of identity, community, and belonging. The choreography is inventive, the storytelling is heartfelt, and the final act lands with real emotional force. A powerful reminder of how reconnecting with our roots can reshape who we are. We rate it a playful 4 out of 5!
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Balloon Dog
Indian Ink’s Balloon Dog is warm, funny, and unexpectedly moving. It starts playful and bright before shifting into something far more emotional, with clever staging, great character work, and that signature mix of humour, heart, and theatrical magic. A beautifully human story about trust, connection, and seeing beyond our own bubbles. We rate it a captivating 5 out of 5!
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RBG: OF Many, One
Sydney Theatre Company’s RBG: Of Many, One starts with a slow burn, but once it finds its rhythm it delivers sharp emotion, huge laughs, and a powerhouse performance from Heather Mitchell. The time jumps feel chaotic early on, yet the show builds toward moments that hit with real force, earning rapturous applause. And the Trump impression is gloriously crass, wildly accurate, and brings the house down. We rate it a progressive 4 out of 5!
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Guy Williams - Rich People Are Stealing From You And Blaming Brown People And Trans People And Some People Believe Them Aaahhhhhh!
Guy Williams’ new show is a loud, chaotic, politically furious hour of satire, stupidity, and unfiltered energy. He tears into billionaires, politicians, culture wars, and anyone punching down, all while leaning into his own brash persona. Wild, messy, and cathartic, it is Guy at his most unhinged and most effective. We rate it an in-your-face 4 out of 5!
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Asian Comedy Takeover
Asian Comedy Takeover delivers a fast, lively mix of voices and styles, from sharp one‑liners to musical chaos to clever cultural storytelling. With themes of parents, identity, citizenship, and modern Asian life, the lineup keeps the crowd laughing and guessing all night. A fun, diverse showcase that celebrates the many flavours of Asian comedy in Aotearoa. We rate it a varied 4 out of 5!
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