Nelson Youth Theatre Company presents fantastic fairy tale entertainment for the whole family!

“Be careful what you wish for” is the ongoing theme in this Broadway family favourite musical fairytale world. Stephen Sondheim’s Into the Woods follows a baker and his wife who wish to have a child, Cinderella who wishes to go to the King’s festival, and Jack (and the beanstalk) who wishes his cow would give some milk.

When the baker and his wife are visited by a wicked witch from next door, she reveals to them that she placed a curse on their family, and the two set off on a journey “into the woods'' to reverse the curse. There we meet Little Red Riding Hood, on her way to visit her grandmother, a wolf who loves tasty little girls, the witch’s daughter Rapunzel, and Cinderella’s and Rapunzel’s princes! By the end, everyone will seem to have gotten their wish and will be preparing to live happily ever after. But will they…?

Rockshop Bandquest is a performance platform for New Zealand school bands, up to year 8.

Gillian Francis’ Academy of Dance presents a charming, funny and comical ballet for all ages.

Doctor Coppélius, a mad scientist constructed a doll named Coppélia who sits on her balcony all day reading and never speaking to anyone. A boy named Franz falls deeply in love with her and wants to marry her, even though he is already engaged to another woman. His fiance, Swanhilda, sees Franz throwing kisses at Coppélia. She decides to impersonate the doll, in order to win the love of Franz. Chaos ensues, but all is soon forgiven. Swanhilda and Franz make up and get married.

As in previous seasons of Nelson Academy of Dance, you will be treated to a wonderful set and stunning costumes, making this a performance not to be missed.

 

Smokefree Rockquest is New Zealand's only nationwide, live, original music, youth event. Founded in 1989 by music teachers Glenn Common and Pete Rainey, who now run Rockquest Promotions full-time out of Nelson. Smokefree Rockquest is a New Zealand institution.

Musical successes from Smokefree Rockquest include Kimbra, Broods, The Good Fun, Midnight Youth, Opshop, Annah Mac, Evermore, Ladyhawke, Minuit, Kids of 88, Die!Die!Die!, Pistol Youth, Bang!Bang!Eche!, Ivy Lies, Cairo Knife Fight, Cut Off Your Hands, Luke Thompson, The Datsuns, Brooke Fraser, Anika Moa, Anna Coddington, The Electric Confectionaires, Steriogram, Aaradhna, Spacifix, The Naked and Famous, Phoenix Foundation, The Feelers, The Black Seeds, Nesian Mystik, Bic Runga, The Checks, Julia Deans, Pine, King Kapisi, Kingston, The Naked and Famous, Autozamm and Elemeno P.

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 100% original New Zealand music.

It’s more than just a show, it’s the Nelson Scouts Gangshow!

That’s right, our fun filled family variety show for young and old is back for another season.

Book your tickets now for an evening of well-known songs and sketches for the whole family.

A dance show like never before, showcasing local talent in a fun, vibrant, upbeat extravaganza! With all dance genres including ballet, hip hop and tap, there will be something for everyone at this year’s show. Showcasing our Mini to Senior Students in all 4 shows.

PLEASE NOTE THERE HAS BEEN A CHANGE IN THE MATINEE TIMES

Unfortunately this year's Gangshow is cancelled due to Level 2 restrictions. Ticket holders will be refunded via eventfinda for online purchases, and through Theatre Royal for counter sales.

It’s more than just a show, it’s the Nelson Scouts Gangshow!

That’s right, our fun filled family variety show for young and old is back for another season in 2020.

Book your tickets now for an evening of well-known songs and sketches for the whole family.

The time has come to have some fun and our children need it most!

Few children’s books have stood the test of time quite like Dr Seuss’s 200 word masterpiece ‘The Cat in the Hat’.

Adapted for the stage the play tells the story consistent with the book of a brother and sister, bored at home on a rainy day...(without their Mother!!??) when they are visited by none other than ‘The Cat’ in his red and white striped Hat...(which they let in the door!!??). Their outspoken and outraged pet Fish (yip the fish talks...and is the babysitter!!) is astounded and concerned, but this cat will not be deterred. He will teach us all to make our own fun with nothing but a little imagination. "It's fun to have fun, but you have to know how." Along with his friends, Thing One and Thing Two (Hey we all have those types of friend’s) they turn the house upside down leaving mess everywhere but have no fear because The Cat brings in his red ‘Picker-Up Machine’ and all is back to normal before Mum walks back in the door. The Cat in the Hat performed a SOLD OUT tour of New Zealand in 2018 and has since 2019 been touring Australia. The production features a full scale set of the house and over 70 props that the cast use to bring to life every detail of the well-known book.

Illuminate kids’ hearts and minds with this magical giant-scale glow-in-the-dark puppet show! Go under the sea with a courageous Kina on her journey of discovery across the Pacific Ocean to Aotearoa. It’s a delightful story of our kai moana and the whakatauki ‘He waka eke noa. We are all in this together.’

This innovative, cutting edge concept features 40+ glow-in-the-dark puppets under UV lights in a black box theatre environment. 15,000+ children saw the extraordinary Matariki Glow Show in 2017/18 and 25,000+ children saw it in 2019. The ALL NEW Te Moana Glow Show is a must-see for 2020!

The production was created by puppet designer/creator Sarah Burren who collaborated with composer/musical director Midge Perez. They have an impressive history, having worked together on 20 children’s shows. Sarah has been involved in the concept/design/production of over 100 stage shows and live events both in NZ and internationally. They sought the guidance and approval of kaumātua Dr Haare Williams (amorangi in arts, culture and education) to create a story that ignites the spirit and pride of our tamariki.

Recommended for ages 2 – 10. This production is suitable for special needs children.

“If Matariki Glow Show is a small child’s first experience of theatre, then they will be very lucky. A fun and entertaining feast with a wonderful contemporary story of Aotearoa.” - Cate Prestidge (Theatreview) 2019

 

Everyone's favourite ogre is back in the hilarious stage spectacle based on the Oscar-winning, smash hit film.

"Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus, begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek.

Shrek presents a treasure trove of creative opportunities, including costumes, sets, puppets (there is a fire-breathing dragon after all) and more! Irreverently fun for the whole family, Shrek proves that beauty is truly in the eye of the ogre.

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