Reviews and travel ratings on Living History NZ in New Zealand (90% from 18 reviews)

South Island > Coastal Otago > Oamaru

Is this your business?

Living History NZ

Join Rankers or Sign In to review this experience.

Traveller Tips

  1. General
  1. sarahs's avatar

    Sarah Smith

    Get a vehicle - its the best way to see New Zealand, also come for as long as you can!

    28 May 2010.

Free Activities & Attractions

Top Voted Nearby

Reviews for Living History NZ

Living History NZ
JaneSmith's avatar

JaneSmith

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

What a fabulous experience!

Our group were all local Oamaru people that didnt realise what a unique little town we hav…

What a fabulous experience!

Our group were all local Oamaru people that didnt realise what a unique little town we have and how wonderful to be able to experience such a great cultural outing within our own region.

We were all very impressed with the professional actors, the attention to detail, and the fact that the history really does come alive!

It was a bonus to be able to meet and discuss details about the historical facts afterwards with the actors and our host - and the little tipple of Oamaru's finest was a great way to end our wonderful entertaining and informative evening. Thankyou again!

Reviewed 16 March 2010

Living History NZ
winter uk's avatar

winter uk

from United Kingdom

Ranking: 10/10

Brilliant small theatre experience with small bank of talented actors.

Brilliant small theatre experience with small bank of talented actors.

Reviewed 03 March 2010 and experienced in February 2009

Living History NZ
davidtbrown's avatar

David T. Brown

from Canada

Ranking: 10/10

What an innovative and interesting way to explore the history and cultural heritage of Oamaru! The Living History NZ pla…

What an innovative and interesting way to explore the history and cultural heritage of Oamaru! The Living History NZ players have combined effective interpretation with engaging theatre in a truly unique interactive format. In the 2010 production, the walls of the theatre have dissolved away, and the stage has been replaced by the actual town of Oamaru itself (the performance takes place in the storied streets and historic buildings of the Victorian Precinct). A small troupe of versatile actors in period costume interact with visitors and with one another to bring alive myriad characters from Oamaru's history in a unique experience which is partly theatre, partly a walking tour, partly a history lesson - and fully enjoyable. Congratulations to a dedicated and talented ensemble of actors who have seized on a wonderful new concept and executed it with skill, panache and professionalism. It's a refreshing antidote to the creeping blight of mass tourism, and a welcome addition to the list of activities in Oamaru - one of New Zealand's best-kept secret destinations. Highly recommended!

Reviewed 18 February 2010

Living History NZ
redbacksc's avatar

bekki weber

from Australia

Ranking: 10/10

A really great account of some of the history of the town of oamaru. We didnt expect a lot when booking but we were all …

A really great account of some of the history of the town of oamaru. We didnt expect a lot when booking but we were all very surprised on the professionalism of the actors involved. The whole show kept us entertained from beginning to end.Moving from historic building to historic building we got a great insight as to what life might have been like in this lovely town back in the 1800's. A great job guys, really well done.

Reviewed 25 January 2010

Living History NZ
Winnie's avatar

Winnie

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

What an entertaining way to be introduced to the history of Oamaru. The audience is taken on a tour of historic Oamaru …

What an entertaining way to be introduced to the history of Oamaru. The audience is taken on a tour of historic Oamaru with two actors playing many roles. The characters are significant townspeople from the mid to late nineteenth century. Heaps of variety. The show is well put together and the time passes quickly with visits to the interior of several buildings and street theatre combined. The actors are well versed in their characters and interact with and respond to comments from the audience. A thoroughly enjoyable evenings entertainment.

Reviewed 12 January 2010

Living History NZ
dixie002's avatar

dixie002

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

We were unsure what to expect when we booked this "Oamaru Secrets of the Old Town" tour. I was surprised when we were c…

We were unsure what to expect when we booked this "Oamaru Secrets of the Old Town" tour. I was surprised when we were charged $25 each (2 adults and three teenagers ranging in age from 13-18). I admit that my expectation was 'another South Island tourist rip-off'. My expectations were blown away; surpassed by a very large margin.
What I imagined to be a brief walking tour of the 'old town' was in fact a very professionally, highly entertaining theatrical performance by two very skilled actors. Their acting ability and knowledge of the history of the old town made for a very entertaining and wonderful tour.
I would highly recommend this tour. It was fun, informative, entertaining and very good value for money.
We are all grateful to Scott and his team.

Reviewed 03 January 2010

Living History NZ
holly george's avatar

holly george

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

The audience of this dramatic play go on an emotional journey, in less than an hour and a half! The three actors give a …

The audience of this dramatic play go on an emotional journey, in less than an hour and a half! The three actors give a truly realistic performance of an array of characters from Oamaru 1800s. A remarkable performance that will leave fellow history buffs with a lot to take away with them. It was easy to see this play more than once-well done!

Reviewed 01 February 2009

Living History NZ
anne mills's avatar

Anne

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Have just seen this wonderful production - in fact we went twice during our holiday in Oamaru! Amazing sense of history…

Have just seen this wonderful production - in fact we went twice during our holiday in Oamaru! Amazing sense of history brought to life before your eyes. Minimal sets but extremely effective. Only 3 main actors to portray numerous characters - so much energy and yet sincerity and pathos at the right time. A credit to Oamaru and a reason to visit. Well done

Reviewed 19 January 2009

Living History NZ
Rosie's avatar

Rosie

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

This theatre experience is unique. The actors are dynamic, the production sublime. I really love the setting and the p…

This theatre experience is unique. The actors are dynamic, the production sublime. I really love the setting and the props are innovative and clever.

Reviewed 12 January 2009

Living History NZ
Dunvegas's avatar

Dunvegas

from New Zealand

Ranking: 8/10

As someone who is not a regular theatre goer, I was very impressed by the production. In particular the intimacy of the…

As someone who is not a regular theatre goer, I was very impressed by the production. In particular the intimacy of the setting and the atmosphere were absolutely first class. It really made me feel connected with the characters and I came away with a deep empathy for the event and time. The setting in Oamaru's Whitestone precinct has to be seen to be appreciated.

Reviewed 19 December 2008

Living History NZ
mikros's avatar

Michael Gifford

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

A new cast has been engaged for this year's production, and the players all acquit themselves well. They move from role …

A new cast has been engaged for this year's production, and the players all acquit themselves well. They move from role to role with ease and manage develop a freal empathy with their characters. If anything, 'The Storm' is even more moving than it was last year, and the production is a credit to all involved. Well done again!

Reviewed 17 December 2008

Living History NZ
swagger's avatar

Roger blackburn

from New Zealand

Ranking: 9/10

This fast moving snap-shot presentation of local history engages the audience from the start to the finish and despite t…

This fast moving snap-shot presentation of local history engages the audience from the start to the finish and despite the rather hard seats the hour shrinks with little notice.
The audience is in close contact with the actors providing a special intimacy and connection to the performance . The performance takes place in a richly worn and crafted Heritage Grain Store that provides the audience with a memorable and lasting encounter with an incident in the life of early Oamaru .
The Living History performance is presented in the form of Victorian melodrama, transporting the audience through a period of local History that helped shape what the town was to become .
An opportunity to meet the performers adds to a most engaging early evening experience .
I would recommended going to the show, a colourful and fascinating aspect of early New Zealand
Colonial history .

Reviewed 16 December 2008

Living History NZ
rockhammer's avatar

Richard Norris

from New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Oamaru boasts the most intact Victorian streetscape in the southern hemisphere - marvellous old whitestone buildings ooz…

Oamaru boasts the most intact Victorian streetscape in the southern hemisphere - marvellous old whitestone buildings oozing historical authenticity and ambience. As an occasional visitor, I have looked through these with interest, but wished there were some way for the stories that surely must inhabit them to be brought alive. The "Great Storm" does just that. Set in one of these wonderful buildings with the huge wooden pillars and ancient ropes as a backdrop, the three actors tell the story of the Great Storm of 1868 through the eyes of a young immigrant family. The way they use simple props and costumes, backed by superb lighting and a stunning (literally at the height of the storm!) soundscape, is both exciting, moving, entertaining and amusing. As an audience member, I was completely sucked in by the power of the performance, and transported back to the colonial foundations of Oamaru. The audience sit on three sides of the acting area, yet at no time did I feel left out. The actors moved naturally and with purpose around the arena so that the audience (or at least this member) felt totally part of the action. The standard of acting was first rate, as good as any I have seen elsewhere in New Zealand and better than most! It is magnificent story telling that captivates the audience and relives the trials of the young colony. This show really is a great way to feel the life in these old stones and be completed transported to another world!

Reviewed 15 December 2008