Gore Southland Times
After two standing ovations and a rollicking encore the curtain went down at the St James theatre in Gore on Saturday night on an opening night to remember. ....Pure 18 carat... There was a richness which filled the soul while at times the rawness was as cold and spectacular as a hoar frost.

The Listener
The musical Rush!... loud, large and altogether as feverish as its title implies, went gangbusters at the box office. ........ the night itself fizzed with energy and there were some stunning songs, notably 'The Ballad of Millie Hall'.

Wairarapa Times
David John, who wrote the book of Rush! offers hope but no sugary sidestepping .... has not hesitated to portray the grim side of life in the diggings. The staging of the prison sequences, abetted by Lynch's score riveted the large audience.....it's true gold...

Dunedin Star
The audience fled through time, hope, joy, sadness, anger and tears, and romance, and at the end of the show found itself on its feet cheering the settlers, the miners, the murderers, the makers and the musicians.

Cumbria Evening Mail (UK)
Sinister show is pure gold ... high, compelling drama.

Star Weekender
Somebody threw my heart on to a horse when the opening curtain came up for Rush! Before long it was off at a gallop. It was a world class journey. One you ought to make before the season ends.

Southland Times
Rich in frontier romance and brimming with exuberance, Rush! delivered everything a keenly supportive audience at Dunedin's Regent theatre had hoped for.

Hawkes Bay Today
Members of Theatre Hawke’s Bay had a great time at last night’s opening performance. The cast of the vibrant musical... took the audience through a range of emotions... They’ve struck gold with this one.

Christchurch Press
There will surely be a rush for tickets for this musical once the opening night audience spread the word. A delighted audience gave the cast a standing ovation.