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Court Cues - August 2025 |
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Dear Friends,
It has been very exciting to welcome our new CEO to The Court Theatre. Richard Aindow has been with us for over a month now and his feet are well under the desk. Welcoming new shows, attending AGMs, farewells, and attending the Friends latest meeting (which incidentally we held for the first time in our very own Friends Lounge). His quiet confident manner has been embraced by us all. Thank you Richard for accepting this huge role, we know the theatre is in the best hands.
Whilst welcoming the new, we have also farewelled the old. Jay Pollock, having relinquished her Membership Secretary position some months ago, was finally farewelled from the committee after 27 years and we celebrated this remarkable dedication with a lunch where she was awarded an Honorary Life Membership to the Friends. I know the members will miss you Jay, as much as we do.
Ngā mihi
Annie Bonifant
Chair - Friends of The Court Theatre |
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Shakespeare is back at The Court Theatre - and not in musical form this time! |
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After a considerable absence a Shakespeare play will once again be performed on The Court Theatre’s stage. It’s Twelfth Night. Cheryl Colley, a self-professed Shakespeare tragic, spoke to Alison Walls, the theatre’s Artistic Director (and Director of the show) about the production. |
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Why did you put a Shakespeare play in this year’s season?
I personally love Shakespeare and it’s a real gift for actors to perform his plays. In the new theatre, which has both scale and intimacy, we now also have the space to serve the Bard so much better as the audience is very close to the actors. For me, directing Shakespeare’s plays is extremely satisfying because they are so meaty with such rich language. As for why I chose Twelfth Night it was because it’s fun, celebratory and romantic – a true rom-com accessible to everyone. |
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Alison Walls in rehearsals for Twelfth Night |
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What can audiences expect from the production?
Prepare for a wild ride of laughter and bewilderment, of mistaken identity, comic courtships, whirlwind love triangles and some poignant moments of grief. Our setting for the production is broadly contemporary Mediterranean, but in an evocative world of our own making. This is no museum piece, but a production with a real sense of freshness. There are new musical compositions as well as the use of modern AV projections.
You say the play is an entertainment, but there are some less than funny aspects in it too.
Yes – the trick played on poor Malvolio does make us feel uncomfortable as it goes too far. Olivia says that he has been ‘notoriously abused’. There is always some tragedy in Shakespeare’s comedies – and comedy in the tragedies for that matter.
How did you choose the cast?
I was spoiled for choice with 160 people auditioning with a wide range of different talents and experience from straight Shakespearean actors to comedians and musicians. As this is a real ensemble piece I had to think not only about each individual role, but how the actors would work together. We have been having a great deal of fun in rehearsals so it all seems to have worked out.
How would you sum up the play?
It’s a rich tapestry with its ingenious central plot involving twins of different genders and its delightful funny side plots. It introduces one of Shakespeare’s most captivating heroines – Viola – and follows her as she navigates a new life after being shipwrecked on the coast of Illyria.
Twelfth Night is on from 9 August – 6 September 2025. Book now! |
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Life Memberships |
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A reminder to all Friends of the Court Theatre: Life Memberships are still available! For more information, please contact the Friends Membership Secretary via email: friends@courttheatre.org.nz. |
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Guided Theatre Tours |
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Guided tours are back but with a friendly twist!*
Step behind the curtain and discover how the magic is made at The Court Theatre. From the first sketch to the final spotlight, everything that appears on stage is carefully designed and lovingly crafted to transport our audiences into entirely new worlds.
Now back in the heart of Christchurch, The Court Theatre creates everything on-site, from the construction of grand sets in our workshop to the design and fabrication of the stunning costumes you’ve seen in productions like Strictly Ballroom and Something Rotten!.
A Friend of The Court Theatre will host your tour, sharing stories of past productions and giving you a real taste of what goes on behind the scenes at the South Island's largest theatre company.
Join us for the first public Guided Tour: 2pm, Saturday 11 October 2025. Tickets are $15 for adults and $10 for children, bookings essential.
Please note: as this tour will go through the workshop and backstage areas, closed toe shoes must be worn for health and safety reasons.
*Court Theatre Guided Tours are proudly supported and delivered by the Friends of The Court Theatre. |
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Named Spaces in the Theatre |
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We are thankful for the generosity of many who have helped bring our new home to life. Below is a list of key spaces that have been named in recognition of some of the individuals, families, and organisations whose support has played a vital role in shaping our future.
Larger Theatre: Stewart Family Theatre
Smaller Theatre: Wakefield Family Front Room
Foyer - Gough Family Foyer
Downstairs Bar & Box Office - The Carter Family Box Office and Bar
Upstairs Bar - The Bard
Upstairs Mezzanine - Robert and Barbara Stewart Gallery
Room 1 (downstairs) - Friends' Lounge
Room 2 (level 1) - Ravenscar Lounge
Room 3 (rehearsal/hosting) - The Foundation Room
Room 4 (rehearsal) - Yvette Bromley Room
Education Studio - Rātā Foundation Studio |
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The King's Speech - come for a sneaky peek! |
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The director of The King's Speech, Benjamin Kilby-Henson, will be talking with Kathleen Burns about the upcoming show.
This will be a small intimate session with the opportunity to interact with the director and ask him all the things you have ever wanted to know about directing a show.
Date: Monday 8 September 2025
Time: 5:30 - 6:30pm
Venue: The Court Theatre
Tickets: $25
Register with Cheryl Colley and receive further details. ccolley@actrix.co.nz |
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Last call for Red Curtain! |
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Red Curtain is on the scene, but not for long.
Crafted in collaboration with Little Biddy Gin to celebrate the next big act in Christchurch, the opening of our brand-new Court Theatre, this limited edition release is nearly sold out.
At $99, it’s a spirited way to support the arts, with $20 from every bottle going directly to The Court Theatre. Only a few bottles remain. Once they’re gone… it’s curtain up.
Raise a glass to what’s next. Order yours today via the Reefton Distilling Co website. |
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