The audience is in the middle of the stage action, finds Barney McDonald.

She's the pop phenomenon of 2013, scoring four Grammy nominations, the top spot on record charts around the world and hanging out with A-list stars. Ella Yelich-O'Connor talks to Alan Perrot about the biggest year of her life and her Kiwi Christmas.

South Auckland sometimes gets a bad rap. But many who have called the place home have gone on to make an impression internationally in their chosen fields.

Hey kids, get ready to shout 'Look behind you!' when the Christmas panto season starts, says Dionne Christian.

You've had a huge year of performing and producing shows most nights - what makes you get up in the morning and drive from Grey Lynn to Mangere to study Maori language?

Amy Waller's one-woman show addresses the widely felt yearning to keep alive the stories of our immediate ancestors.

There's an immediate frisson of friction between the two characters - a teacher and a mother - in this hour-long, real-time conversation.

Funny things seem to happen to the actor Mick Innes and a funny thing happened on his way to meet me.

Technically, it should probably be Polywood, not Pollywood. Polywood recalls Polynesia which is what it is all about.

With this fabulous, fast-tempoed spectacle of sizzle and sass, Michael Hurst once again proves himself an exceptional director of musical theatre.

Play embraces the digital age, writes Barney McDonald.

Is Tamati Coffey about to join Seven Sharp as a full-time host? Souces say yes.

Check out photos from Cirque du Soleil's Michael Jackson Immortal world tour show.

The best thing about the Royal New Zealand Ballet's biennial travelling show is getting up close and personal with performances in smaller venues.

On-stage chemistry and audience rapport keep the laughs coming during a weekend of adventures.

Does he like peeling onions? Michael Hurst looks bemused by the question - he is eating a home-made salad of piquant appearance - so he pauses, fork in mid-air, and tilts his head.