The local teens are pulling an all-nighter!  Presenting their own compositions and performing should keep them going through the wee lonely hours!  Sleeping bags essential!

Nelson Youth Theatre Company is delighted to present a double bill, the perfect winter treat for the whole family!

A Christmas Carol
We've taken the spirit of winter, wrapped it in your favourite yuletide melodies and tied it with the magic and wonder of your childhood.
Join Scrooge, Bob Cratchit, Tiny Tim and a host of colourful characters for Nelson Youth Theatre Company's production of A Christmas Carol. With ticket prices even Scrooge would approve of, this Charles Dickens classic is a wonderful way to celebrate a mid-year Christmas at the Theatre Royal.

The Secret Garden 
An enchanting adaptation of a classic family novel, this acclaimed production will inspire "the child" within audience members of all ages. After being orphaned in India, 10 year-old Mary is returned to England to live with her melancholy uncle at his neglected estate. Haunted by the ghosts of her past and the secrets of her uncle, she innocently unlocks the forgotten gate to an untended garden on the estate grounds. From its soil, fertile with memory and "magic," springs hope and healing for them both.

Thumbelina is a family adventure presented by Live Arts Nelson

Based on the Hans Christian Anderson Tale

Get ready for the biggest adventure that can fit in the palm of your hand!

Thumbelina is a child of the flowers who is just the size of a thumb. Join Thumbelina on a journey to an enchanted world filled with colourful characters, magic and excitement in production that proves big things do come in small packages. This one hour play is a delight for whole family.

The Nelson Final of Smokefree Rockquest: New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.

Children under 6 years old free entry at the door (subject to availability)

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Now in its 28th year, the series of over 40 events reaches audience numbers in excess of 10,000 every year. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, Smokefree Rockquest has now become a New Zealand institution.

Smokefree Rockquest aims to motivate young musicians to prove their ability and realise the heights they can reach in their music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand music.

Wartime in London - children wave goodbye to their parents with trepidation and excitement. A new home in the countryside safe from the bombs awaits! When Maggie is evacuated, her teddy bear goes with her. But somehow Archibald gets left on the train...

A lively musical play from the children of Lake Rotoiti School.

CDP presents Tall Stories' magical musical adaptation of THE GRUFFALO based on the award winning picture book by Julia Donaldson & Axel Scheffler published by Macmillan Children's Books.

A mouse took a stroll through the deep, dark wood ...

After sell-out seasons throughout the world, including the West End and Broadway, and throughout Australia and New Zealand in 2009-11 and 2014, The Gruffalo returns in 2016!

Whether their favourite food is roasted fox, owl ice cream, scrambled snake or Gruffalo crumble, audiences eat up this delectable tale about the adventures of a clever little mouse in a forest full of predators. Join Mouse on an adventurous journey through the deep, dark wood in this big scary monster of a show.

Mouse can scare hungry animals away with tall stories of the terrifying Gruffalo, but what happens when she comes face to face with the very creature she imagined?
Let your imagination run wild with songs, laughs and fun for children aged 3 and up, and their adults.

Age recommendation: 3 & up, and their adults

"the cast of three bring the story to wonderful life... This is an irresistibly charming tale told with refreshing simplicity." -The Times, London

"exudes charm, fun and a winning simplicity" - Dominion Post

Live Arts Nelson’s Summer school will showcase their performance piece de resistance. 

The students have spent a week immersed in theatre, drama, dance, singing and music, visual and creative arts, and have been part of creating and/or performing this new piece of theatre.

A gold coin donation to see these kids show their amazing talent.

Applications are now open for the inaugural Live Arts Nelson Summer School! Once upon a time... in the future

Are you looking for a summer adventure? Do you want to spend a week immersed in theatre, drama, dance, singing and music, visual and creative arts? Would you like to be part of creating and/or performing a new piece of theatre to be staged at Theatre Royal, Nelson?

Live Arts Nelson Summer School, has lined up some of the region's top professionals to tutor and guide you in musical theatre, drama, improvisation, voice, dance, music composition, visual art and costuming. Using, 'Once upon a time in the future...' as our inspiration, this five day arts-fest will take a workshop format for the first few days before opening into a collaborative and inclusive creative experience, encompassing all genres and harnessing divergent ideas to create a performance piece de resistance.

Dates:
Monday to Thursday January 25 to 28 - 9.30am to 3.30pm
Friday January 29 – performance showcase!

Cost: $275 for four days tuition and the performance showcase.

You must be between 6 and 21 years to apply.

Numbers are limited and acceptance is by application only. To apply, download and complete the application form below.

Nelson Youth Theatre Company is delighted to present a double bill, showcasing our younger performers in Heidi and The Snow Queen.

This story of Heidi, the little orphan girl who brings new hope to everyone her life touches, glows even more endearingly today than it has for generations. The way Heidi brings her gruff, old hermit grandfather back into the world and helps Clara, the invalid child, find health and happiness portrays the charming sentiment of the old world. Heidi would say that everyone will love seeing this beguiling book brought to life - and Heidi wouldn't lie.

The Snow Queen is skillfully adapted from the famous original story by Hans Christian Andersen. This is the story of Gerda, a little girl who searches for her friend Kai when he is bewitched and imprisoned by the Snow Queen in her ice palace. Gerda's innocence charms all good people and animals she meets on the way. They help her to the royal court, and on to Lapland, where good conquers evil and the children are reunited.