Theatre news, reviews and what's on

Helen Mirren was crowned best actress at Britain's top theatre awards for reprising her Oscar-winning portrayal of Queen Elizabeth, while a play about a boy with autism was the night's top winner, taking home seven Olivier prizes.

The punchline rolls around and Dunedin-born comedian Sam Wills again has nothing to say. It's hilarious, writes Tom McKinlay.

Is it Still Life or Brief Encounter? Still Life is Noel Coward's original one-act play, and the better-known Brief Encounter is the film, for which Coward also wrote the script.

A new Roger Hall play opens at the Fortune Theatre next week, an insightful and humorous look at grandparenting and growing old together, Charmian Smith reports.

Friends and gardening are among the themes in Geraldine Brophy's 12th play and first musical, Floral Notes, which is touring the South this month. The New Zealand actress, known for roles in Shortland Street, calls it a ''micro-musical'' because there are two performers plus an accompanist.

Clothes are more than just a covering. They can evoke emotions of all kinds according to Fortune Theatre artistic director Lara Macgregor. Charmian Smith reports.

The Fortune Theatre is charged and primed for its 2013 season. The opening salvo is an explosive play which changed the landscape of New Zealand theatre. Nigel Benson reports.

A special charity concert is being held at the Mayfair Theatre tomorrow to help a young star soar.

The Fortune Theatre is about to stage a play that is the fastest selling in British theatre history - a play in which ordinary women go all out to raise funds for charity. Charmian Smith reports.

She takes the saying "not just a pretty face" to a whole new level.

The trained actress in the pivotal role of the vengeance-fuelled student in The Female of the Species has been juggling work at a burger joint, finishing at 4.30am, with rehearsals for the play.