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Court Cues - October 2026 |
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Dear Friends,
We are catapulting through the year with only two shows left in the Season. This of course means we are eagerly waiting the launch of the new season and what thespian gems it has in store for us. All will be revealed on 19 October. |
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The next Director's Circle for The Pirates of Penzance will be held on Monday 2 November at 6pm.
The highly celebrated icon and Fellow of the Court Theatre Ross Gumbley will be directing this show, with another long term celebrity of our theatre Dan Pengelly as the MC.
This will be an evening of information but with a lot of laughter and banter as these two artists bounce off each other. We have booked a big venue as we know how popular this will be. Don’t miss it. |
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The Performing Arts Precinct is having an Open Day on Sunday 25 October where the general public will be invited into the Isaac Theatre Royal, The Piano, The Court Theatre, and Tūranga.
As part of The Court Theatre being open to the public we are selling tickets to a raffle as a fundraiser.
If you can’t visit on this day and would like to give your support by buying raffle tickets, money can be paid directly into the Friends account. When we see this money come in, we will fill out your name in the raffle book before the draw. The raffle will not be drawn until 8 November 2026.
Direct credit your payment to:
Friends of the Court Theatre Incorporated
Account number: 02-0816-0027388-000
Please insert your name, phone number, and the word 'Raffle' into the Code, Reference, or Particulars field. |
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$10 for One Ticket or $20 for Three Tickets
There are two hamper prize draws.
Our thanks for their generosity and support to: Terra Viva, Fresh Choice Merivale, Life Pharmacy Merivale, High Peak Honey and the Friends Committee.
The raffle will be drawn on 8 November 2026. Winners will be notified by phone.
Ngā mihi
Annie Bonifant
Chair - Friends of The Court Theatre
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Our Newest Fellow |
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Longstanding Court Supporter Cheryl Colley has now retired from the Friends Committee, but she has certainly not ‘retired‘ from The Court Theatre for there is no such thing – once you are a part of The Court Theatre whanau there is no such thing as retirement!
Cheryl is probably one of the best-known faces to staff and patrons alike and her contribution to The Court Theatre, which spans more than 46 years of incredible and generous involvement, has been recently recognized with her appointment as a Fellow of The Court Theatre. A well-deserved honor. Cheryl’s contribution to the life of The Court Theatre was very much a partnership with her late husband Wilfred, a past Chair of the Board. Their lives were intertwined in The Court Theatre with both making a huge contribution over this long involvement.
Fellow recognition is awarded to those who have given exceptional service to the Theatre and have over time been awarded to staff, actors, directors, (that is people associated with the running and production of the Theatre Company), as well as governance roles and roles associated with the life and running of The Court Theatre beyond the Company. |
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Life at The Court Theatre for Cheryl involved many roles. She was the Friends representative on the Board; served on the Friends Committee which saw her take on the roles of Chair and Deputy Chair; many years of ushering; organising the Friends annual dinner; a vital part of the part of the organising committee for 50th Anniversary celebrations and part of the team who compiled the 50th anniversary publication The History of The Court Theatre. But it did not stop there – there were even appearances on stage in the past when the Friends performed the Christmas Show!
The Friends Committee recently held a lunch to acknowledge Cheryl’s wonderful long contribution and long voluntary service. |
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At a later function the Board and Staff made the presentation of a Fellowship to Cheryl and, knowing her love of Shakespeare, she was presented with a shadow box made by Julian Southgate, with elements of the stage design from Much Ado About Nothing. The function was held in conjunction with a mihi whakatau to welcome the casts and creatives for Teenage Dick and He Kura Kōrero. It was wonderful for the wider company to witness and hear about the contribution people such as Cheryl have made to The Court Theatre.
From all of us at The Court Theatre, we send our congratulations and sincere thanks to Cheryl. |
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Senior Theatresports™ Finals |
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The fast and the funniest - Senior Theatresports™ Champs 2026
Over September, The Court Theatre was home to some of the fastest and funniest young performers in the South Island for the Senior Theatresports™ competition. Hosted and judged by The Court Jesters in the Wakefield Family Front Room, almost thirty teams competed over five heats, improvising scenes and stories (and sometimes songs) inspired by audience suggestions. |
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Every heat was full of hilarity and heart, with impressive improv from all involved. Six teams made it through to the Canterbury Final a week later, where a hotly contested match saw Riccarton High School take the top spot, with Christ’s College in second place.
Also at the Canterbury Final, the “Cal Wilson Most Valuable Improviser Award” (in memoriam of late comedienne and founding Court Jester Cal Wilson) was awarded to an improviser who showed fearless creativity, generosity, talent and comedy chops - this year’s winner being Millie Vink from Rangi Ruru. |
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Millie Vink, winner of the Cal Wilson Most Valuable Improviser Award. Photo courtesy of Rangi Ruru. |
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The following week was the South Island Final, where teams from Waimea College (Nelson) and Bayfield High (Dunedin) went up against Riccarton and Christchurch Girls’ High School (who stepped up from third place when Christ’s College were unavailable). |
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Riccarton High School team, South Island Theatresports™ winners |
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In another nail-biting finish, Riccarton snapped up another victory and walked away as Canterbury and South Island champions.
Huge congratulations to Ben O’Brien-Limmer and the Court Theatre Education team for pulling together a delightful competition, and congratulations to all the wonderful young performers for their skills - we certainly saw some potential future Court Jesters…
Jeff Clark, Court Jester |
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Some Wonderful Usher Feedback |
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As a Court Theatre usher, I am not only very fortunate to be able to enjoy the wonderful, diverse productions The Court Theatre offers, but also witness the pleasure of the patrons’ experiences.
This is especially evident in the children’s productions. Often, three generations of a family share the wonder and joy of a slick, vibrant performance, with the youngsters relishing in the fun of audience participation.
You really can’t beat live theatre!
Bex Fussey, Friend and Usher |
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From left: Rahil (Jester Muso), Nelly (Piglet), Harmony (Winnie the Pooh), and Vito (Tigger) with Ushers Grant, Wendy, Bex, Christine, and Barb |
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Join us for the launch of ensemble |
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As valued supporters of The Court Theatre, we’d love to invite you to join us for the launch of ensemble, our new annual giving programme, on Wednesday 4 November, 5pm - 7pm in the Wakefield Family Front Room at The Court Theatre. |
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As we celebrate 18 months in our forever home, ensemble has been created to bring our closest supporters behind the scenes, offering greater insight into our work while helping secure the future of live theatre in Ōtautahi Christchurch. It will be a relaxed evening with drinks, canapés, entertainment, and the chance to hear more about the programme and its impact from some familiar Court Theatre faces. |
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