As the exclamation promises, Paniora! is a spectacle: full of dance, dust and colour.

Tony Kushner's vast portrait of Reagan's America revealed through the prism of Aids is filled with dazzling spectacle, razor-sharp humour and intimate moments.

It seems like, all of a sudden, big-name acts are teaming up; no longer happy touring on their own.

The magic was there at the start when the Kelemen Quartet launched Wednesday's Chamber Music New Zealand concert with the mercurial Adagio that opens Mozart's Dissonance Quartet and gives it its name.

The large crowd had been ready since Tim Finn and a choir of young Maori children sang his song Parihaka.

What may well be the quintessential Kiwi love story is brought to life in an utterly charming show that has intimate family history blended with a heartfelt tribute.

The Forbidden City Chamber Orchestra's brief 2011 visit left one eager for more of the virtuoso Chinese ensemble.

This intriguing whodunnit is entertaining and excellently produced. Its pleasing twists and turns balance humour and seriousness with just the right light touch.

The new film by the Iranian maestro Farhadi falls short of being an unalloyed masterpiece only by comparison with his Oscar-winner A Separation and the enchanting and mysterious About Elly that preceded it.

For those into contracts, 175 East delivered firm promises for its Sunday concert, chalked up on a blackboard, reading "75 min - lockout applies".

The underwater world proves to be the ideal environment for Red Leap's unique blend of puppetry, dance and physical theatre in Sea.

Lydia Jenkin reviews Pharrell's rap-free new album, GIRL.