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Kia ora
A huge thank you.
We look back at the ‘Troubles’ of November 2023 where the CEO and Chairman of the Board resigned. These two resignations left a huge hole in both the management and governance of our theatre and needed immediate remediation and support.
We are enormously grateful to the Trustees for stepping forward and managing the difficult situation. Steve Wakefield, who has been a trustee for 15 years, was elected as the Chairman of the Board, with Jenny May as Deputy Chair. Steve took further action and stepped up as the acting CEO in a voluntary capacity. Management and governance are traditionally kept separate, but in this case, it was all hands to the pump to ensure The Court Theatre's survival. The workload has been immense, with Trustees stepping up to assist management where and when appropriate and helping to deliver the appropriate comms to a ‘blood thirsty’ media. The Court Theatre Foundation also stepped up and provided the much-needed funds to keep The Court Theatre financially viable.
We are both lucky and so grateful that Steve had retired from full-time employment in favour of a busy array of governance roles, and was able to put in these enormous voluntary hours. Helen is quoted as saying “I now have to come to the theatre to see my husband”. The Trustees’ hours of commitment and dedication is exemplary, with the result of our dear theatre not only surviving but blossoming with renewed success.
We look forward to welcoming Gretchen La Roche as the new Executive Director May 2024.
Ngā mihi
Annie Bonifant,
Chair - Friends of the Court Theatre |
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The Birth of a New Theatre - A view from the second trimester
We just have just passed the halfway point of the build of the new Court Theatre, and in twelve months' time we will be on the cusp of the opening. What can you, our steadfast Court Theatre audience expect? Nothing less than a state-of-the-art facility designed by the leading theatre architects in the world. A theatre that will serve its passionate and loyal audience for many decades to come. You will experience a building that has been designed and built from an ethos that puts sustainability high on its list of outcomes.
Timber is the signature material in the new Court Theatre. Anyone that stands on the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Street can see the laminated veneer lumber columns rising up over the Hawkins hoardings. These columns promise style, strength, warmth and the rest of the building that you can’t see yet, will deliver on this promise. The towering rich pine encapsulated in generous glazing will form the exterior of The Court Theatre’s new foyer. A foyer which acts as an invitation to engage with the theatrical offerings in the two auditoria beyond.
After years of design, thought and reconsideration of those thoughts, we can't wait for you to attend. We want you to realise what we who have had the privilege to work on this project, already know; and that is that for years to come Ōtautahi Christchurch will be the home to the best theatre in the country.
We can’t wait to bring it on!
Ross Gumbley
Artistic Advisor to the Project
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The New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund
The Court Theatre are proud supporters of The New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund (NZABF).
NZABF is a non-profit charity which is committed to ensuring that our performing arts industry colleagues can live with dignity and maintain their ability to work and enjoy life. NZABF was founded in 2016. It is in the start-up phase to build its capacity to help professional entertainers during their hardest moments of life. The Fund offers support to entertainment professionals young and old from all walks of life, who through illness, accident or disability require financial or other forms of assistance. The NZABF is a registered charity and is administered by industry professionals on a completely voluntary basis.
Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, ONZ CH DBE AC, and Sam Neill, OBE DCNZM are proud patrons of the New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund.
To date, The Court Theatre has hosted three nights, raising almost $5000. We are committed to dedicating one night of each of our Mainstage shows within the Ryman Healthcare 2024 Season to the New Zealand Actors Benevolent Fund with a bucket collection at the end of the performance.
To learn more about the fund, visit www.nzabf.org.nz |
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Carolyne Grant appointed to the Friends of The Court Theatre Committee
We are absolutely delighted to welcome Carolyne Grant on to our Friends Committee.
Carolyne is a well known face around the theatre. She led the Capital Campaign, APPLAUSE, for The Court Theatre over the last three years and was instrumental in raising the remarkable sum of over eleven million dollars for the new theatre.
Carolyne partnered with the Friends in our Flaxmere Garden fundraiser and organised the PLAY YOUR PART fundraising evening in Tūrunga. Her fundraising skills and enthusiasm are second to none, so we feel very privileged to welcome her on board.
Carolyne is now working as Campaign Director for the Christ Church Cathedral Reinstatement Project. |
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An Evening with Paul Barrett – a true Court Theatre treasure
Come and enjoy an evening of laughter and delicious Spanish-style food with Paul Barrett at Curator’s House – another of our very popular dinners exclusively for Friends of The Court Theatre.
Paul is back in Christchurch to reprise his role as Nostradamus in The Ryman Healthcare Return Season of Something Rotten!, on at The Court Theatre from 4 July – 21 July 2024.
It was great to see him back on our stage over the summer season of the show as it had been quite some years since he had last appeared. Actually, it was in Mum’s Choir in 2018. Prior to that Paul was a member of The Court Theatre company from 1985 – 1996 and was named an Associate of The Court Theatre in 1996.
Not only is Paul an experienced and talented actor, but he obtained an Honours degree in Music in 1979. Subsequently he has appeared in many productions throughout New Zealand and in the UK and Australia as a Musical Director/pianist or singer. |
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We are very fortunate that Paul has agreed to be our guest speaker for the evening, so be sure to book early as this dinner is certain to sell out fast. There are only 30 places available in total.
Time and date: 6.00pm Thursday 27 June 2024
Cost: $65
Register with Cheryl Colley – ccolley@actrix.co.nz – and you will be sent details about how to make your payment. |
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Don't miss out on seeing Every Brilliant Thing.
"While the subject matter was difficult, we all left the auditorium with hope and a smile on our faces. Theatre is the perfect vehicle to deal with such topics. " - Neil Brewer, Broadway World |
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