Hollins doesn't patronise her young audience by sanitising these pivotal scenes, so parents may want to consider how easily frightened their children are.

This week marks 400 years since the death of our national poet. And yet his characters, the worlds he created, the thoughts he expressed are for all people and all time.

Ian McGuire's story of brutality, greed and whaling - set aboard a boat off the coast of Greenland - is worth seeking out, especially for those of you who are not squeamish.

Listing racist remarks and restrictive stereotypes may seem simplistic at first, but this is mere preparation for some smart theatrics.

COMMENT: It sounds weird but this Broadway musical is a reminder of what is truly great and inspiring about America.

To celebrate its silver jubilee, Tim Bray Productions is bringing back favourite shows from its repertoire and The Lighthouse Keeper's Lunch is first.

Extra dates have been added to the Pop Up Globe following "overwhelming demand", organisers have announced.

Artists delve in to expression embracing their interpretation of mankind.

The 400-year-old picture had been left for more than 150 years in a property in the outskirts of Toulouse.

Works of two established artists and a newcomer grace Auckland venues this month.

Leaning back in one of the armchairs, Canton speaks of "racial hierarchies" and "exoticism" and whether we're all "a little bit racist".

Kiddie kitsch and darker psychological themes fill Jessie McCall's latest offering, writes Bernadette Rae.

Christophe Rousset, one of the world's top harpsichordists, visits New Zealand next week.

The buyer of a treasured Goldie painting, sold tonight to man from China, will have to ask permission from the Government if he wants to take it out of the country.

A painting by one of the country's leading abstract artists has been sold for more than $40,000, after it was put under the hammer for the very first time since being painted over 40 years ago.

Roger Hall's collaboration with British singer songwriter Peter Skellern throws up an entertaining confection celebrating the joys and hazards of grandparenting.

Mahler's Third Symphony was the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra's spectacular contribution to the 2009 Auckland Arts Festival.

At 70, Henare is taking on his biggest role ever as the Sultan in the popular blockbuster Aladdin, which opens in Sydney in August.

Local writer Ben Sanders tells Greg Fleming about transposing his previously Auckland-based crimes Stateside and finding his storylines while daydreaming.

There are three strikingly inter-cultural exhibitions in Auckland; two of them at Te Uru Waitakere Art Gallery.

Today, NZ Opera turns up the roller door at its Onehunga Technical Centre for an open day everyone is invited to.

One of the largest cultural hubs to be developed in the world could be influenced by one of Auckland's smallest theatres, The Basement.

Kanye West had reportedly offered an Australian artist "a pretty decent chunk of money" to remove a street mural of the rapper passionately kissing himself.

This Flaxworks production mentions the boyfriends but ignores the image, and instead presents a girlish Jean, enthusiastic and sweet.

No subject is off-limits in Dawn French's stage show Thirty Million Minutes, which tackles even the most harrowing of topics with charm and good humour.

In Antony & Cleopatra the clash of civilisations is set against the intimacy of a tender love story.

This year sees the return of Unwrap the Music, 3 early evening concerts where conductor Richard Gill introduce pieces coming up in later programmes.

A painting by one of the country's leading abstract artists will be auctioned for the first time at an expected value of between $25,000 to $35,000.

There's L'orchestre d'hommes-orchestres of Quebec. They are not a Tom Waits tribute band. But they do play his songs live on stage.