12/10/2025
Reviews are in!!
Only 4 shows left (3 for me), so get your tickets now and donโt miss out!
Little Women, 10-18 Oct at Rangiora Town Hall with North Canterbury Musicals ๐
https://www.iticket.co.nz/events/2025/oct/ncms-little-women
| NEW REVIEW |
Louisa May Alcottโs classic novel has had many exciting adaptations, including four wonderful film versions and in 2005 the musical premiered on Broadway. And now, it has made it all the way to North Canterbury Musical Society! Sophie Ricketts from Backstage Christchurch - Theatre Reviews attended opening night of Little Women and she says: โThis timeless story of sisters growing up has been beautifully brought to life in North Canterburyโs productionโฆ the enduring themes of love, forgiveness, aspiration and hope make this show a winner in every way.โ
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FULL REVIEW:
Little Women
Presented by North Canterbury Musicals
Directed by Bonnie Bonnar
Movement directed by Rebecca O'Mahony
Musically directed by Sophie Lennon
October 10-18
Reviewed by Sophie Elizabeth Gray for Backstage Christchurch - Theatre Reviews
Slices of normal life, bearing witness to normal relationships, pitfalls, struggles and joys. These are the days of all our lives and there is something so wonderfully wholesome about shows which capture the essence of what it means to be human, and what it means to be a family. Little Women is a show which steadfastly follows this tradition, as it charts approximately two years in the life of the March family who live in Concord, Massachusetts in era of the American Civil War.
This timeless story of sisters growing up has been beautifully brought to life in North Canterburyโs production. This show absolutely belongs to the four performers playing the March sisters at the its centre. Each of them perfectly captured the essence of what makes these characters unique, while also creating a very believable sibling chemistry. It was a sincere pleasure to watch them laugh, fight, forgive and support each other.
Jacqueline Doherty as Jo March was truly Astonishing. She is a powerhouse performer and with the programme stating she is planning to relocate to Melbourne next year this is a fantastic opportunity to see her soar in a role befitting of her immense talents. Christchurch is all the poorer for her departure. As Beth, Heidi Cooper delivered the most achingly beautiful moment of the entire show, and made me weep openly at her tenderness and her beautiful voice in โSome Things Are Meant To Beโ. Jessie-Jane Rosewarne, playing Meg, also demonstrated gorgeous vocal talent and was stunning as the anxious eldest, navigating romance. And Amy, played with infectious energy by Kate Kelly, was gorgeous to watch as she transformed from child to adult.
Jane Godfrey absolutely stole the show as Aunt March. She was exquisite to watch and to listen to; โCould Youโ was a knockout number. Everything about her delivery was incredible. Shannon Hurley was lovely in the role of the girlsโ mother, Marmee, as she did her best to keep the peace and hold the fort in her husbandโs absence while he fought in the war.
In a show that is dominated by memorable female roles, the men in this production also managed to hold their own with great aplomb. Playing Laurie, JD Cowles brought a boyish buoyancy to the role and infused an innocent awkwardness that made him all the more endearing. Seeing him become part of the March family was delightful. Warwick Shillito was excellent as the hard-hearted Mr Lawrence, who eventually softens under Bethโs influence, and too finds he has a place in their family. Fraser Robinson as Professor Bhaer was truly exceptional. He gave a very moving performance, wonderfully paced and capturing the cadence of contrast with Jo that made the ending all the more sweet. Matt Deavoll, as Mr Brooke, created lovely chemistry with Meg and showcased his sweet voice well in โMore Than I Amโ.
Unfortunately, I found the lighting quite inconsistent and struggled with moments where the faces of key actors were under lit; particularly the scenes between Jo and Professor Bhaer set in the New York boarding house. Also, the spotlights did Jo a disservice during her song โBetterโ with her face flanked in shadow on one side.
The costuming was a tale of feast or famine. Some of it was exquisite to the point that I would praise it as being among the best Iโve seen for NCMS, while other outfits were a huge disappointment and did not serve the characters, the setting or the story well enough. Iโm not sure Iโll ever understand why Marmee isnโt in a nightgown when Meg and Jo return home from the ball.
The set was used effectively to convey the March family home and I loved the embellishment of turning the staircase into a stack of books (I had a small gasp of delight when the curtain rose!), and the other literary touches in the set dressing. I loved the use of ensemble members in costume to move pieces of furniture, which made the scene transitions much smoother and well integrated in the production. I didnโt, however, enjoy the many entrances and exits which looked like the stairs were too close to the second leg on stage left; I found it distracting watching performers repeatedly push that curtain out of the way when it seems like it would be more logical for them to simply use the front leg exit instead.
This enchanting show is a delight and a great choice for NCMS to bring to life on the Rangiora Town Hall stage. Little Women is a timeless classic and even if youโve never read the book thanks to the many film adaptations you might still be equipped with knowledge of some of the familiar story beats. But even if you donโt, I think youโll love it. Whether you come from a large family or a small one, whether you have memories of fights with your siblings or feel more like Laurie on his own, the enduring themes of love, forgiveness, aspiration and hope make this show a winner in every way.
