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Thank you to the hundreds of Friends who responded to our recent survey with many constructive and thoughtful comments.
This will give us some very helpful information with the best ways to provide for our members.
The draw for the two tickets to Something Rotten! has been made and the winner was Linda Kiesanowski.
I’m currently in America having a wonderful trip in the Inside Passage of Alaska seeing some amazing wildlife and scenery.
I hope you are keeping warm at home and seeing some great theatre.
Ngā mihi and best wishes
Annie Bonifant,
Chair - Friends of the Court Theatre
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An update on the new Court in the City
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Court Theatre CE Barbara George provides an update on the new Court in the City:
It is exciting to see our new home in the City taking shape behind the hoardings. We can now see the walls and the spaces, particularly if you look down from the windows of Tūranga. The build is on schedule to complete in December 2024 and we will shortly begin programming the opening events and of course that all-important opening show in the Stewart Family Theatre.
You will know there has been a lot of activity recently about car parking and we have asked you to write to Councillors and Council staff to support our
need for an accessible car park.
Thank you to all of you who helped with this. In some of the correspondence to me about this, I’ve been asked why we are leaving Addington with its excellent parking. The fact of the matter is that our Addington home was leased and the term was finite. We need to be gone by May 2026 at the latest, so if we hadn’t worked in partnership with Council to build in the city, we would be in a bit of a pickle right now, and very soon homeless.
Of course the other fact about our beloved Shed is that it is falling down about our ears and it is requiring more and more maintenance. It was never built to last more than a few years, and we have been lucky to get the time in it that we have. So do join us in looking forward to our new home in the City – a home for at least 55 years, and one where we will continue to make and enjoy great theatre.
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A recent view of the construction from the Crown Plaza.
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The wonderful world of props
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The physical settings for plays at the Court always elicit admiring comments. But alongside the creative workshop crew there is always need for (often extensive) props and this task falls to Julian Southgate who writes:
As the Properties Manager at The Court Theatre, my role revolves around the maintenance and management of all the props and furniture used in our various productions. From the moment the prop is conceived until its final use on stage, I am responsible for ensuring its seamless integration into the performance.
One of my duties is the storage and organization of the props. This entails the
storage and carefully categorizing them based on their use, style and history.
We store props in groups of items such as phones, cell phones, dial phones, retro phones etc. We have our own method that responds to demand, as many shows use and reuse the same type of props more than others. The props corridor is a great resource for us, and it is the best in the country as no other theatre has our back history. It is also (mostly) kept in order as we have tours through it, which is a driver to try to keep some order in the incipient chaos!
I work closely with the designer to understand the requirements for each show and anticipate the purchasing and makes that are coming up in a new show.
When it's time for a new production, I oversee the process of selecting, making and buying the appropriate props for each scene or act, and the rehearsal stand in props, as the process of building a show can be fluid. I try to anticipate what might be needed to
help the rehearsal process. Often a great pile of vague things may turn up for the first rehearsals 'just in case'
they might need it. By the second week, we have winnowed down what is really needed. I then design the properties for every show and pass these designs to the designer and director before I can proceed to buy and make.
I am also responsible for any food that is eaten on stage, the furniture, and the 'soft props' which are everything fabric based, from tea towels, puppets, upholstery, bedding and elaborate Victorian curtaining.
All in all, props are everything and anything, but never costumes! (but sometimes they are…)
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Sadly Covid has highlighted the fact that actors can be struck down by illness, often without
warning, with a subsequent possibility of a show's cancellation.
But our Artistic Director, Alison Walls, describes the process whereby “the show must go on”.
Covers - swings, understudies, standbys, alternates - are often the unsung heroes of theatre. An understudy is usually part of the ensemble or has a minor role, but they also learn a lead part. Standbys and alternates focus on covering a lead part. Swings often learn multiple parts. Alternates also usually perform scheduled shows, allowing principals in especially demanding roles (such as that of Diana in Next to Normal) necessary vocal rest.
Covers are talented performers with a lot of responsibility, stepping in as needed - sometimes at very short notice. Since 2020, in an era of frequent cancellations, covers have received more of the attention they deserve with several major musicals and plays showcasing covers. Many a major star began as a cover.
We are
extremely grateful to our superb covers on Next to Normal. George Hiku plays Henry and understudies Gabe. Lucy Sutcliffe is the standby for Natalie. Jack Shatford is the standby for Henry. Nick Purdie is the standby for the Doctor and for Dan. And Cherie Moore is the alternate Diana. They have carefully learned the lines, blocking, and music, taking meticulous notes throughout rehearsals, with just a few additional rehearsals. This role necessitates immense trust between the performers and creative team.
Our covers have scheduled shows and Lucy and Cherie have also come to the rescue when our principals have been unable to perform. It takes a special kind of egoless assurance to leap into performance and deliver as they all have done - as true stars.
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Pictured in green is Natalie standby Lucy Sutcliffe in Next to Normal.
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Farewell Susan
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It was with sadness that the Friends committee learned of the upcoming resignation of the theatre's Manager: People, Governance & Grants, Susan Rendall. She has provided a valuable liaison for our committee and we shall miss her wisdom and cheerful helpfulness. Susan reflects:
I have worked at The Court Theatre for the past six and a half years. I began my Court journey as the Artist Liaison, a four day/week role which included managing all aspects of securing licences as well as contracting casts and crews for our shows.
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Following Philip’s resignation in June 2018, I was appointed Acting CE, a position I held until Barbara’s arrival
at the end of October that year. Since then, I have become a bit of a “jack of all trades”. This has included managing people and capability, being the Board Secretary as well as being responsible for all grant funding applications and reporting.
Certainly never a dull moment in this job!
The biggest challenge has undoubtedly been Covid. This was a hugely stressful time for the entire team especially through the initial periods of lockdown and then subsequent interruptions to shows as people became ill and were required to isolate. However, The Court team is tough and resilient, and has risen above adversity and weathered the Covid storm admirably. While we continue to face challenges, primarily now in the form of the economic downturn, The Court continues to deliver productions of an exceptional standard for diverse audiences in Canterbury and beyond.
It has been wonderful being part of an organisation that serves our community through
outstanding theatre productions and is such a well loved part of the fabric of Christchurch. It has also been a joy and privilege to be the liaison person for the Friends of The Court and working alongside this team of selfless, kind and giving people.
On productions that have particularly appealed, this is called being spoilt for choice! All the Court production are amazing it is so hard to choose – Hedwig and The Angry Inch, Jesus Christ Superstar, Once and Jersey Boys for spectacle; The Curious Incident of The Dog in The
Nighttime and The Girl on The Train for spectacular AV; Appropriate – so clever! – the list goes on and on. The collective talent of our artistic and production teams is just mind blowing.
As to the future it is time to slow down and I have a number of irons in the fire filling roles in various areas. And a final word to the Friends - you are the most
extraordinary asset at The Court. Thank you to each and every one for your contribution at every level. I shall continue my Friends’ membership and look forward to staying in contact with you and all who are part of this incredible organisation.
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Usher Award winners and updates
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News from the Ushers’ Coordinator, Rachel Vavasour:
Well over 300 passionate and dedicated ushers give their time to The Court Theatre for each and every performance, including mainstage performances, children’s performances, Education Showcases and Scared Scriptless.
Our ushers scan tickets, welcome guests, guide patrons to their seats and work our Coffee Bar. They are hugely valuable to The Court Theatre and make sure all our patrons have a fantastic experience when they visit. They do an incredible job of being the face of The Court and provide an excellent service to
those who attend our performances.
Presently we have 329 ushers in 33 teams, with some unassigned “floaters”, 88 trained Coffee Bar ushers, and 12 new ushers currently completing mentoring. Training continues for new ushers and refresher training for the existing ones.
A recent innovation was the awarding of the inaugural Usher Awards, cohosted by The Court Theatre and season sponsor Ryman Healthcare, marking the start of Aotearoa New Zealand’s National Volunteer Week.
Our congratulations to the winners:
The Court is Your Second Home Award - Elizabeth Grubb
Emergency Response Award - Helen Crooks-Scarf
Can-do Award - Kathie Simmons
Perpetual Smile Award - Ferne Jamieson
Generosity of Spirit Award - Elisabeth Cooch
Rookie of the Year Award - Alan Warne
Ryman Healthcare People’s Choice Award - Elisabeth Cooch
The Friends of The Court Team of the
Year Award - Team King led by Sherelle King with members Melanie Dennis, Lyndelle Parr, Corinne Payne, Deb Le Cren, Dianne Dinnis, Elizabeth Drummond and Midge Stark.
Well done to you all.
An extensive survey was also conducted recently completed by 88% of all ushers. This covered such areas as reasons for being an usher, the biggest challenges, most satisfying aspects of the role, and then inviting general comments which were most helpful.
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Award winners pictured with Ben Gough (Patron of The Friends), Annie, Kathleen Burns (MC and Court Jester), Susie Alayne (Ryman Healthcare) and Barbara George (Court Theatre CE).
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