Be entertained by Funn Youth, the local talent of youth improvisers from around the Nelson and Tasman region. Each school/college will perform improvised scenes, full of spontaneaty and on the spot wit.

You the audience get to be part of the fun by giving suggestions of where the scene is set, or who the scenes are about. You will wonder how they came up with those characters and engaging story lines on the spot! The scenes performed will be completely made up and will never be seen again, so don't miss out and come support your family and friends who are brave and fearless!

Jo and Tom Macbeth are experienced professional actors who have a reputation as Shakespearean specialists. It is the opening night of a production of Macbeth, 30 minutes before curtain up. In the dressing room, something major has happened. Not great timing.

Crisp, sharp dialogue, revelations and discoveries on both sides provide moments of emotion, accusations and crackling synergy. With a crisis just before the interval, disaster seems imminent. The second half is filled with every actor's nightmare - being in the wrong play at the wrong time, especially when Taika Waititi is in the house casting for his Amazon-funded film version of the Shakespearian tragedy.

Enjoy a rollercoaster ride of comedy, drama, poignancy and explosive conflict, as these two stage dynamos reveal the highs and lows of partnerships, on and off the stage. Mr & Mrs Macbeth of Dodson Valley Road will appeal to all, including people who hated Shakespeare at school.

The award-winning Barden Party is coming back to the Theatre Royal for a special performance of its hilarious brand of family-friendly musical Shakespeare.

This time around it is a ‘rockabilly retelling’ of Much Ado About Nothing - the Bard’s tale of love, mischief and mistaken identity - featuring music from Dave Dobbyn, Billy Joel and Outkast.

Born in Laura Irish’s Nelson backyard during the Covid traffic light system, as a way to bring entertainment to local audiences, the Barden Party went on to tour Aotearoa, and pick up awards and accolades along the way. Then they embarked on an epic 5-state tour of the United States, building support and audiences as they went. This season, its performance of Much Ado About Nothing expanded with sell-out tours to Auckland, Rotorua, Taranaki, Invercargill and the West Coast.

This is a Nelson success story - giving incredible emerging performers the support to work on their craft while delighting audiences who thought Shakespeare might not be for them. And this is only the beginning, with further plans for international expansion!

So come and celebrate the final show of season two of The Barden Party, with a special showing of Much Ado featuring all company members performing on stage for the first time ever!

Sponsored by NBS and Nelson City Council

IMPORTANT NOTE: Late comers won’t be admitted past a certain point in the show and will not be entitled to a refund. So please, please, please be on time.  Sorry about the tough love but, honestly, you won’t want to miss a second!

DURATION: 80 mins, no interval

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This comedy celebrates an unsung hero and tips the modern office on its head. In a toe-tapping twist there’s a different choir on stage every night, but none have read the script. Featuring contemporary hits from Aotearoa, India and a fresh take on classic tunes, this hilarious drama is elevated by the beauty and power of people harmonising in song.

The computers are down and the big boss in India wants the impossible. A hapless middle manager, his unhelpful assistant and their chorus of office workers are making a mess of things. Which isn’t good news for the cleaner.

Workplace hierarchies are shattered, class and culture clash and from the chaos emerges a different way to value one another.

Born out of a collaboration with choral master John Rosser and leading choir Viva Voce, and featuring over 20 people on stage, Indian Ink take things up an octave in their biggest show ever.

The company’s award-winning creative team continue to weave their magic. Jacob Rajan zooms in for a very special guest appearance, Justin Rogers returns following his brilliant performance in Mrs Krishnan’s Party and is joined by rising stars Tessa Rao and Catherine Yates.

Don’t miss this world première that finds joy in the eternal toil of work.

TWO SPECIAL OFFERS

LITTLE INDIA
Little India is a great before or after show dining option, and we've teamed up with them on two special offers.
1. Diners at Little India will receive a discount code, giving them $5 off Adult & Senior tickets.
2. People with Full Price tickets for any of the Nelson Dirty Work performances will receive a free plain naan with their dinner, between 17 and 24 July.

WINDOW CLEANING
Thanks to the Theatre Royal cleaners, YNOTTONY, all ticket holders will go into the draw to win $100 towards a window clean by YNOTTONY.

In these uncertain times, you need a voice you can trust. Someone who’s travelled the world and knows how to fix it. Courage. Integrity. Other stuff. Vote 1 Randy Feltface.

Randy Feltface has spent the past eighteen years carving out a unique niche on the international comedy circuit. He was nominated for best comedy at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, played sold out seasons in London and New York and featured several times at the Montreal Just For Laughs Festival. He made his US television debut as crowd favourite on NBC’s Bring The Funny, and his comedy specials have become pirated YouTube sensations. Politics seems like the natural next step.

Don’t miss Randy Feltface as he brings his Feltopia World Tour home to the Southern Hemisphere.

R15+

I used to be a little boy but now I am a 34-year-old man. The world is a crazy place and I would like to tell you about it. I have been on the television in Australia, if you don't believe me ask your nephew.

As seen on Have You Been Paying Attention?, Melbourne International Comedy Festival Gala, Just for Laughs, Taskmaster NZ and public transport.

Recommended 15+

Because of flooding, the 6 May show had to be postponed. Unfortunately a new date was not able to be arranged, so the show has now been cancelled. All tickets will be fully refunded. 

Join Miss Kita Mean, season 1 winner of RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under, on a spectacular 90 minute whirlwind of pop parodies, stand-up hilarities and finally… mental clarities as she gives you a giddy glimpse into the mind of a strange lady!

Get to know our quirky queen on a whole new level as she delves into what truly makes her tick. She’s manic, she’s flamboyant, she’s ridiculous, but most of all Kita Mean is Delightfully Camp!

Meet & Greet: 7pm-7.30pm (please arrive by 7pm to be taken in for meet & greet)
GA (General Admission) doors open 7.30pm
Show starts 8pm

Please note this is a drag show, so whilst we have said All-Ages welcome, under 18s should be accompanied by a guardian and be aware that the show may include coarse language, sexual themes and typical drag debauchery.

Kita Mean official merchandise may be available for sale at the show with eftpos facilities available. Limited stock!

Age 7+

A brand-new show from acclaimed physical comedy performer Thom Monckton (The Pianist), The King of Taking boasts circus, mime and a whole lot of velvet.

NZSL Interpreted Performance
There will be a New Zealand Sign Language (NZSL) Interpreted performance of The King of Taking on Wednesday 26th of October, featuring a trained interpreter from Platform Interpreting New Zealand.

To book reserved seats close to the front of the stage for a good view of the interpreter, email [email protected] or call the Theatre Royal Box Office on 03 548 3840.

Created & performed by Thom Monckton and Kallo Collective
Produced by A Mulled Whine Productions