Playing inside and outside the playhouses

Extends the coverage of Simon Garrett's article "The plays, playmakers and playhouses of recent New Zealand theatre : an overview" (Australasian Drama Studies, n.18, April 1991, p.30-45). Provides an overview of professional New Zealand theatre from 1991 - 2003. Notes there have been more productions of New Zealand plays than overseas scripts since 1998. Describes the closure of the Mercury Theatre and the transformation of the Depot Theatre to Taki Rua. Discusses the fortunes of New Zealand's eight professional playhouses. Looks at the changing role of New Zealand theatre within the New Zealand International Festival of the Arts and other regional arts and fringe festivals. Remarks on the growth and popularity of independent companies, including those incorporating Maori and Pacific performance traditions.