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Court Cues - February 2026 |
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Dear Friends,
We begin 2026 as the very successful show 9 to 5 The Musical ends. I know the last weeks were heavily booked so I'm sorry if you missed seeing it.
We jump from a foot tapping musical to the next show, an Oscar Wilde Victorian classic The Importance of Being Earnest. I have seen some of the costumes being made and they are stunning, so watch for the intricate beautiful detail that our clever costume designers have produced.
We continue to run the Director's Circle so if you want some inside knowledge on this play book a ticket. Court Theatre tours are also running monthly throughout the year and are a great gift for the young and curious.
Ngā mihi
Annie Bonifant
Chair - Friends of The Court Theatre |
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The Importance of Being Earnest |
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Our 2026 Subscription Season opens on 21 February with Oscar Wilde's 1895 classic, The Importance of Being Earnest - a sparkling comedy of manners, full of wit, romance, and delightful absurdity.
Jack leads a respectable life in the country as guardian to his young ward, but when he travels to London he adopts the alter ego of “Ernest”, a persona that allows him to embrace freedom, frivolity, and all the pleasures city life has to offer. His friend Algernon is no less devious, inventing an imaginary invalid friend to escape tedious social obligations and enjoy the liberties of a secret double life.
Their playful deceptions take a chaotic turn when both men fall for two charming young women, each convinced she must marry a man named Ernest. Mistaken identities, witty repartee, and outrageous revelations spiral into a whirlwind of comedy, romance, and intrigue.
The Importance of Being Earnest remains a sparkling satire of social conventions, love, and the pursuit of happiness; as fresh, funny, and irresistibly entertaining today as it was when first performed in 1895.
“…you don’t go to see The Importance of Being Earnest for political commentary, but rather to see a genius at his most joyful. The play is a delight, what more could you want?” – ArtsHub |
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If you're interested in finding out more about the making of The Importance of Being Earnest, don't miss the next Director's Circle with Director Kathleen Burns and Associate Artistic Director Tim Bain this evening, Monday 9 February 2026.
Tickets are only $15, including a complimentary gin and tonic on arrival thanks to our friends at Little Biddy.
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Jeff Clark fills us in on The Court Jesters first show of the year |
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The Court Jesters start their 2026 season of long form shows (i.e. not just the fast-paced comedy of Scared Scriptless) with Musical! (The Musical) on 12 February. In the vein of Gypsy, RENT, or Cats, the Jesters will use one word from the audience to inspire a full-length Broadway musical. Every night will be opening (and closing) as no two shows will be the same!
Director Jeff Clark has appeared in numerous musical improv shows (including Gary Starlight) and is looking forward to his main note for the cast being "once more, with feeling". Whether you're from Oklahoma or Hamilton, you'll love the Jesters' signature wit and be singing their praises.
Fun facts:
Jeff Clark (Director) joined The Court Jesters as an apprentice in 1996, making him the longest-serving member of the company (and this his 30 year anniversary!).
Criss Grueber (Musical Director) recently completed an international tour performing Shakespeare (and playing banjo) with The Barden Party, and was musician for Anthony Harper Summer Theatre's The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes.
The cast of Musical! (The Musical) is comprised of seven performers, with five rostered on each show to allow for vocal rest (and new combinations each time). |
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Catch up with Associate Artistic Director Tim Bain |
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If I had to have a brand, it would be ‘putting experiences into spaces that they usually don’t fit’ or ‘messing with audiences’ perceptions’. My next two projects fit this brand.
We get a lot of feedback at The Court Theatre, however, we never read feedback like we do after Rainbow Theatre Festival. This feedback is the reason we do it. It is overwhelmingly glowing as performers, creatives, artists and audiences come together for epic events.
For 2026 we’ve 'up’d the anti' more, more chaos, more beauty and more firsts. The line up is online, but there are two shows that I would like to bring to your attention. |
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Tim Bain |
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Firstly, the Divas of Theatre. This is a ‘books in hand’ presentation of famous queer literature including a show that has shocked and blown up the theatre world in the USA/UK just last year. At this time of writing, Lynda Milligan and Eilish Moran are both on board and its going to be a charming, gentle and warm wee show – very excited.
The other is Everybody’s Talking About Jamie. We’ve been incredibly lucky (and through a lot of work) to be granted a special one-off licence to present a staged concert. It is one of the most popular British musicals to ever be produced and you could be the FIRST in the southern hemisphere to experience it. This is our community project for this year and brings together the LGBTQIA+ community (and allies) to present it – a very special experience indeed. |
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Then as if that wasn’t enough at the exact same time I’m in rehearsals…
“Just because you're offended, doesn't mean you're right” – Ricky Gervais
This quote is what will carry us through the creating of the longest title I’ve ever worked on, Feeling Afraid As If Something Terrible Is Going To Happen, opening on 14 March. |
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Basing itself on a stand up comedian who falls in love, what happens when the ‘art’ starts to blur into ‘real life’? Everything is going so well, that you know something terrible is about to happen? And that ‘happen’ is you’re about to kill your boyfriend – because he simply cannot laugh?
Originally written for a specific performer in the UK, the big question was, is there someone in NZ that could do this. Charm? Wit? Cheekiness? Comedy chops? Answer, yes – Trubie-Dylan Smith. Trubie was one of the performers in the successful Every Brilliant Thing that played back in The Shed in 2024. Trubie is a master of play. Quick. Daring. Unafraid and dedicated. |
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For this show (and you are the first to find this next bit out), the Wakefield Family Front Room will be transformed, gone are the low benches and in are cabaret tables with chairs. The stage is raised up. There will be a bar in the space for you to grab drinks. Every seat will have prime viewing. The theatre will open 45 minutes before the show so you can go in, grab a table and enjoy your night at the theatre, in a more ‘comedy club’ type setting.
I hope you can join us for one of these unique experiences, take a risk, be daring, be bold, don’t be afraid and hey, you might just learn something. |
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A tribute to Joe Hayes |
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We were deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Court Theatre Associate/Fellow, Joe Hayes.
Joe was a hugely respected and influential part of The Court Theatre for decades, contributing as a Lighting Designer, Sound Designer, and Technical Director. From the late 1970s onwards, his skill and generosity helped shape not only individual productions, but the way theatre was technically made in Ōtautahi Christchurch. |
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Joe was involved in many memorable Court Theatre productions over the years, including The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, August: Osage County, Calendar Girls, Cabaret, Daughters of Heaven, Hamlet, Angels in America and On the Razzle among many others. His work was marked by a rare and passionate dedication to the art of theatre and a deep understanding of how technical design can serve storytelling. |
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Joe Hayes |
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Beyond the shows themselves, Joe was instrumental in major technical developments within The Court Theatre and beyond, mentoring countless practitioners along the way. His impact continues to be felt through the people he worked with and the standards he set.
We extend our heartfelt condolences to Joe’s family, friends, and the many artists and technicians who were fortunate enough to work alongside him. He will be greatly missed.
A memorial event in the future is planned, and more details will follow in the coming weeks. |
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Take Your Seat in the Wakefield Family Front Room |
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Every seat tells a story. And now, one of ours can tell yours. |
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Welcome to the front row of bold theatre. The intimate, inventive space of the Wakefield Family Front Room at The Court Theatre. This is where daring ideas come to life, new voices are heard, and audiences meet stories in unexpected ways.
For $1,000 for a seat or half a bench, or $2,000 for a whole bench, you can secure your very own engraved seat and help support the next generation of live theatre, ensuring Ōtautahi Christchurch continues to have a vibrant, inclusive hub for creative expression. Choose your seat, leave your legacy, and let one of these stories be yours. |
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