Fantastic progress for the new Court Theatre

The name of the main auditorium has been announced as The Stewart Family Theatre.

Dame Adrienne Stewart has often said "no city can survive without the arts" and she has ensured that Christchurch has not had to. Whether as a patron, benefactor or board member, she created and supported artistic environments that have enabled creativity to flourish, especially within the theatre. This is demonstrated again by this latest exceptional act of philanthropy which is generational. Incredible arts leadership from the Stewart family.

The donation, made to honour Dame Adrienne’s 30-year plus support of The Court Theatre, is the largest donation The Court Theatre has received from an individual or family in its 52-year history. It represents Dame Adrienne’s passion, investment and advocacy for The Court Theatre and Christchurch.

Our leading lady… the city’s leading lady.

In a recent article featured in The Weekend Press, Ben's involvement was referenced as follows:

"Ben Gough Family Foundation supports Outward Bound and leadership programmes, higher education, and the role that arts plays in the Christchurch rebuild. One visible sign of that rebirth is the new Court Theatre, which is slowly reappearing in the central city. Gough has just become the Patron of The Friends of the Court Theatre, following Dame Adrienne Stewart and Sir Robertson Stewart, who served for 36 years between them." Read in full >

We were very pleased that Ben was able to join us for the inaugural Court Theatre Usher Awards hosted by Ryman Healthcare at The Shed recently too. He is pictured below with Annie, MC Kathleen Burns, Ryman Healthcare representative Susie Alayne, Court Theatre CE Barbara George and the award winners.

To push us over the line we are asking supporters to TAKE YOUR SEAT, an initiative as part of the APPLAUSE campaign we recently launched at an event at Tūranga.

At the heart of our new home lies the largest theatre in our new building, an auditorium of some 375 seats over three levels of seating, all designed with the audience in mind, The Stewart Family Theatre.

A donation of $1,500 (per seat, tax-deductible) secures your personalised plaque for ten years. You can find all the information here or simply contact Carolyne (details in the sign off).

With around 135 seats already committed we will print a full list of TAKE YOUR SEAT supporters in our next newsletter. Thank you to all those who have joined the act so far!

Jane and Anthony Leighs recently hosted a gathering at their Herne Bay apartment to update our Auckland friends on the new theatre.

We shared our plans and the model of our new home which features a ground-breaking design by Athfield Architects (NZ) and Haworth Tompkins (London, UK) and revisited the story of our journey from the beloved Arts Centre Christchurch to our temporary home in “The Shed” to our latest milestone with construction well underway.

Sir Roger Hall, arguably New Zealand's most successful playwright joined us delivering a fascinating talk on theatre in Aotearoa. A fabulous crowd enjoyed canapés prepared especially for us in a catering collab with Grant Allen and Herne Bay Foodstore.

Huge thanks to the Leighs and Sir Roger for a great night which gave a generous nudge towards our fundraising goal.

Special mention and appreciation to Little Biddy Gin our beverage partner for both the Auckland event and the TAKE YOUR SEAT launch held at Tūranga.

Thanks also to Tiki Wines for delicious Waipara varietals matched for a private fundraising dinner held at Ravenscar House Museum hosted by APPLAUSE campaign Chair Steve Wakefield (table set pictured below). Another fabulous and fun occasion helping us to reach our target. Coffee and chocolates were served on the sojourn at The Observatory Hotel, well worth a visit if you haven’t already!

APPLAUSE leadership gifts so far:

HERO: The Stewart Family,
Ben Gough Family Foundation, Kaupapa Hiranga Tahua Lottery Significant Projects Fund, Manatū Taonga Ministry for Culture and Heritage, Rātā Foundation, Sir Robert and Barbara, Lady Stewart, The Court Foundation, The Friends of The Court Theatre, The Ravenscar Trust.

LOVER: Catherine and David Boyer, Christchurch Casino, Elizabeth Ball, Gabrielle Tasman and Ken Lawn, The Jones Family Trust (Murray and Sue Jones).

SAGE: Annie Bonifant and Richard Luisetti, Charlotte and Marcel Gray, Hall Cannon and Miles Refo, Robyn and in memory of Steve Richens, Ros and Philip Burdon, Waiwetu Trust.

CHORUS: Annabel and John Holland, Barbara George, Owen and Seb Novenski, Bea and Brian Stokes, Carla and Clark Martin, Caxton Print (Jane and Bruce Bascand), Fiona and Steven van der Pol, Graham Dockrill, Jenny May and in memory of Julie King, Joanna Hickman, Jones Foundation, Kate and Richard Burtt, Kaye and Neil McKenzie, Kirsty and Derek Hargreaves, Linda and Warwick Webb, Liz and Grant Lovell, Margaret Austin, in memory of Naylor Hillary, Sandy and Clive Low, The Lees-Jeffries Family, Tina Duncan.

Other anonymous donors are also part of the APPLAUSE.