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Kia ora
We are now counting the sleeps until we make the move to our new venue. After 13 years of research, planning, frustration, hope, hard work and finally achievement, this momentous occasion is about to take place. Our next Court Cues will be winging their way to you from the Gloucester Street offices. |
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Friends of The Court Theatre Committee along with our patron Ben Gough at the recent AGM |
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We held our AGM on Monday 10th with the usual election of officers and distribution of reports, all of which are available on the website. The revised Constitution, a requirement of the Incorporated Societies Act was presented and accepted. |
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We farewelled and thanked three long serving retiring ushers, presenting them with flowers. Anne Wright for her 53 years, Gay Peek for her 54 years, and Erica Bennett for her 48 years. A truly remarkable dedication to our theatre.
Jay Pollock was also presented with flowers and thanked profusely for her twenty plus years as our Membership Secretary. Helen Crooks-Scarf will take over this position with Jay continuing on as a committee member.
Ngā mihi
Annie Bonifant
Chair - Friends of the Court Theatre |
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Jay Pollock receiving flowers from Annie Bonifant |
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A message from Gretchen La Roche |
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We now stand on the cusp of opening of our much-anticipated new home for The Court Theatre. With only weeks to go until we throw open the doors, it is a thrilling prospect. Not only will this theatre be purpose built, state of the art and beautiful, but it also offers a host of new possibilities for the organisation.
As well as the two principal performance spaces, the Stewart Family Theatre and the newly named Wakefield Family Front Room, our new theatre includes the Rātā Foundation Studio primarily focused on engagement and education, The Yvette Bromley Rehearsal Room as well as three workshop/event/meeting/performance spaces in The Foundation Room, the Friends’ Lounge and Ravenscar Lounge. We expect these last three spaces to play a crucial part in enabling us to attract new revenue through external hire and event hosting on a scale that we’ve never being able to do so before.
Another substantial change will be bringing the dining experience in-house. We’ve been delighted with the partnership that we’ve enjoyed with G&T Catering over the past years in The Shed, but the nature of the new facilities has provided us with the opportunity to manage this directly ourselves, enabling an even more seamless experience. Shortly we’ll be announcing the appointment of our Head Pizza Chef who not only has considerable experience in the Christchurch hospitality scene but of particular importance, is a passionate advocate for pizza! We’ll be continuing to offer a pizza and accompanying sides menu as well as a changing array of seasonal specials that can be ordered at The Carter Family Box Office and Bar.
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The view from the Robert and Barbara Stewart Gallery of the Gough Family Foyer |
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With our Gough Family Foyer split over two levels, we’ll be introducing some bookable tables on the ground floor for those planning on pre-show dining and prefer to be close to the pizza pick-up zone and bar. We will share more information about this in the time ahead.
By popular request we’ll also be introducing ice-cream sales at the interval from inside the theatre auditoriums.
Regarding parking I can also confirm that there will be designated mobility parking spots outside the theatre and discussions are progressing positively regarding a parking building within the vicinity. In the meantime, we’ll be sending out updated information about parking to ticket holders as well as placing information on our website and social channels.
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I’d also like to thank you in advance for your patience and understanding over the initial months in our new home as we adapt to the facility. It will be a massive change for The Court Theatre that will require new ways of thinking and working. We won’t get it right every time and we will have much to learn but the opportunities it provides to us are substantial.
On a personal note, I would like to thank all of you for taking such an interest in the work of The Court Theatre. I have enjoyed every minute of my time here and as I prepare to start my next role as Chief Executive at Creative New Zealand I know that I will take with me enduring and very special memories of all those I have met along the way. I have no doubt that the future of The Court Theatre is very bright indeed.
Ngā mihi
Gretchen La Roche
Executive Director, The Court Theatre |
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Farewell to The Shed lunch |
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Come and raise a glass in celebration of the thirteen years we have enjoyed at The Shed, a venue which has become very dear to many of us.
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Wednesday 2 April – 12.00noon for 12.30pm start
Cost $45 – for two-course lunch catered by G&T Catering who have provided delicious lunches for us before.
Guest speaker – Philip Aldridge, the man with the vision to turn an old industrial building into a first-class theatre, when many others thought he was quite mad!
There are still places available for the lunch – but be quick. It is proving very popular. Email Pat Braithwaite on pat.b68@gmail.com to secure your place. Any queries re dietary requirements should be made to Pat no later than Monday 24 March. |
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Payment for the lunch is to be made as follows:
Friends of the Court Theatre Incorporated
Account number 02-0816-0027388-000
Please insert Farewell into the Reference box. |
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What's On at The Court Theatre? |
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Rainbow Theatre Festival
20 - 23 March 2025 at The Shed in Addington
Following the great success of the Rainbow Theatre Festival last year, The Court Theatre is thrilled to be staging this event once again this year – and it’s bigger, brighter and splashier than ever. The theatre will be bursting with colour, sparkle, and unmissable experiences.
With everything from drag queens to live podcast recordings, burlesque to family-friendly experiences and comedy to community-driven productions, there's sure to be something for everyone.
Plus there will be plenty of surprises along the way.
Here’s a taste of what is on offer:
Club Musicals! - will see The Court Theatre foyer transformed into a big dance floor for one night only. |
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Heaven’s Devil - fallen angel and Fred Award winning comedian Eli Matthewson’s new show is all about his powerful and moving journey to become a better liar.
Queered Scriptless – the SOLD OUT every year smash hit from the Court Jesters returns once again.
There’s Always Time for a Cocktail – RuPaul’s Drag Race contestant Mrs. Kasha Davis comes to New Zealand for the first time with her acclaimed cabaret show.
Imagination Station – this one is for the kids! It includes stories, original music, a dance party and a themed craft activity, all with Mrs. Kasha Davis.
Don’t miss your chance to be part of the magic. Tickets are selling fast - book yours now! |
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| BOOK NOW! |
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Calling all BBQ cooks |
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On Sunday 4 May the Friends of The Court Theatre will be holding a sausage sizzle/BBQ outside the new theatre. This is to be a fundraiser for the theatre and we are looking for cooks to be on a roster. Please email Pat Braithwaite on pat.b68@gmail.com if you are available to help with the cooking.
This is all part of the new Court Theatre’s grand opening weekend and the theatre will be open to the public in association with the Open Christchurch Festival of Architecture. |
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Important message from the theatre |
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An update on Box Office hours:
Box Office will remain at The Shed in Addington until Thursday, 10 April 2025.
The hours are 1 – 5pm, Monday – Friday and from 2 hours prior to Scared Scriptless and Rainbow Festival shows.
From Friday, 11 April 2025, Box Office will operate from The Court’s new home at 129 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central.
The hours will remain 1 – 5pm, Monday – Friday.
Please also be aware that from 20 March 2025, the theatre will officially be a cashless venue. Please be sure to bring a card for any tickets, food, or beverage purchases. |
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The Coffee Bar at the new theatre |
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The Coffee Bar is to change hands. The Friends’ Committee has made the major decision to relinquish our ownership and running of the Coffee Bar in the new theatre. We came to the realisation that it is more efficient for the theatre to run one bar with coffee, confectionery, ice creams, and alcoholic drinks from the same place. Although this was a major source of income for us, at the end of the day the income all goes to the same cause. |
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