The simplest way to describe the Auckland Theatre Awards - colloquially the Hackmans - is that it's like the work Christmas party for the entire theatre industry. There are costumes. There are awards, some tongue-in-cheek and some serious after the establishment of the Excellence Awards last year, and some not-so-gentle roasting of everyone from Auckland Theatre Company to Te Pou to Young and Hungry.

Co-founders Kip Chapman and Rachel Forman passed on the reins last year to Eli Matthewson and Sophie Dowson, with the hosting duties passing from Chris Parker to Kura Forrester. The transition was seamless. Forrester was a charming and spiky MC, and the evening was one giant wink celebrating the year and the people who made it, while also reminding us that this is theatre and we shouldn't take it so seriously all the time.