Age 16+, haze
The music theatre star that is Rutene Spooner is channelling the Māori hero Māui into a modern-day icon – complete with rhinestones and glitter. Don’t miss the charmingly quick-witted songs, hilarious antics and heart-felt storytelling.
A warrior and demigod, the adventures of Māui are woven into the fabric of Pacific history. In Aotearoa, this ‘Māori Superman’ was fast, fit, and funny. He was the total package. He slowed the sun, fished up Te Ika a Māui (the North Island) and brought fire to the world – to name just a few of his feats!
Rutene Spooner, this ‘haka-boogie-hori’ will be pulling out all his tricks from the past and reincarnating Māui into a living breathing musical rock star before your very eyes.
Experience this cultural hero and trickster shape shift once more.
Created by Metro Māori Productions and presented by PANNZ.
Developed in partnership with Auckland Live.
Age 16+, strong language, references to racism
After an impressive 11 year career in the NZ comedy scene, Pax Assadi is launching his first nation-wide tour, hot off the heels of his critically acclaimed (very personal, very hilarious!) sitcom, Raised By Refugees.
Celebrated by peers and critics alike, Pax Assadi is one of the strongest and most important comedy voices in Aotearoa. Pax is a regular on shows like Have You Been Paying Attention, 7 Days and The Project, and in 2020 he hosted the NZ International Comedy Gala to rave reviews.
His show at The Boathouse sold out so quickly last year we’ve upgraded him to the Theatre Royal! Even though its a bigger venue we reckon you still need to get in quick so you don’t miss out on laughing with one of the heaviest hitting comedians Aotearoa has to offer. Your stomach muscles will thank you.
“By the end of his show you don’t feel like you’ve been at a stand-up gig at all, but instead have just had a few laughs with an old friend around the dining room table.” - Stuff
“Assadi set the standard for the night and undoubtedly left the audience keen to track down his next full gig.” - NZ Herald
Get to know Anita Wigl'it, star of 'RuPaul's Drag Race Down Under' in this kooky, hilarious and tell all one-woman show, 'The Life of a Funny Girl!'
Over a fabulous 90 minutes, travel back in time to 1989 when a little boy with a big personality was born. Then follow him as he grows up into the glamorous Drag Queen that we all know and love (life stories told in hilarious anecdotes interspersed with dazzling shows!).
This show will give you belly laughs, will make you cry and will definitely make you Wigl'it!!
There are some adult themes and language in the show so we suggest R16, but we understand there are many youth who are fans of Anita and Drag Race so underage audience members are welcome with a guardian in attendance.
Limited VIP/Meet & Greet Tickets (pre-show meet and greet and photo, premium reserved seating); all other seats General Admission.
Join award-winning comedian Chris Parker on tour for a night of his greatest hits.
A rising star of the New Zealand comedy scene, Chris has been seen on TV on 7 Days, Jono and Ben, Funny Girls, Have You Been Paying Attention as well as making a name for himself with his Instagram presence and as a fan favourite (and winner) on TV2's Celebrity Treasure Island.
With his NZ International Comedy Festival shows being a yearly sell-out sensation, Chris is hitting the road this winter to give you his best material from over the years, as well as something new. It's basically Now That's What I Call Chris Parker, Vol.1.
“an invigorating and charming hour, admirably unpretentious and consistently very, very funny” - The Skinny Edinburgh
Winner - Fred Award 2018 - Best Show of the New Zealand International Comedy Festival
NZ Herald’s Top Five Entertainment Heroes of 2020
The outrageously funny KEVIN BLOODY WILSON returns to NZ, bringing Kiwis another side-spitting dose of his original fair-dinkum Aussie humour, supported by Jenny Talia from Australia.
Since releasing his first hugely popular album “Your Average Australian Yobbo” in 1984 and hit songs like “Hey Santa Claus”, Kevin Bloody Wilson has become a comedy institution around the globe. Considered the world’s funniest Australian, as dry and as rough as his Outback heritage, Kevin stands out as a beacon for PC pushback in a world almost drowning in a tsunami of Political Correctness. His latest stage show, F.U.P.C., is no exception, spotlighting Political Correctness for what it is and how Kev sees it – a big laugh crafted in song – guaranteed to have you belly-laughing at subject matter you’re not supposed to be laughing at. Social Justice Warriors and PC Advocates are invited to stay at home, but the rest of you are welcome to enjoy a knee-slapping, hilarious night of Kev’s common sense take on Political Correctness.
R18
Many moons ago, a different kind of superhero ruled this side of the Pacific: Māui-Tikitiki-A-Taranga.
A warrior and demigod, Māui’s adventures are woven into the fabric of Pacific history. Here in Aotearoa, this ‘Māori Superman’ enjoyed the best of the natural and spiritual worlds. He was fast, fit, and funny. The total package.
In this cabaret of hilarious and vocally wild proportions, join Rutene Spooner’s whirlwind quest to become the modern-day Māori hero — anything could happen! Perhaps this ‘haka-boogie-hori’ will realise that in order to cast forward, he must pull from the past, back to the ancient ones.
Lols from start to finish and a pair of lungs ready to rip your hats off: Rutene is the musical hero of our hearts! Enjoy!
Developed in partnership with Auckland Live and supported by Creative New Zealand. Premiered as part of the Auckland Live Cabaret Season 2021.
NEW VENUE: Now performing at Nelson Musical Theatre
Ahoy there, me hearties!
Nelson Repertory Theatre and director Hugh Neill bring you all the very best of traditional pantomime with everybody's favourite swashbuckling classic - Treasure Island.
Long John Silver may be a dastardly villain, but he’s reckoned without the Ladies of the Smuggler’s Cove Women’s Institute!
Be prepared to have your ribs and tastebuds tickled on this rollicking and cake-filled pirating adventure!
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.
Comedian, snapchat satirist and now unmasked as the dancing Alien on The Masked Singer NZ, Tom Sainsbury is about to add another string to his bow: Comedian on the loose!
He’s hitting the road with his brand new show SNAPCHAT DUDE LIVE! and no stone will be unturned in his quest to poke fun at New Zillunders.
Famous for taking the Mickey out of politicians like Paula Bennett and Simon Bridges, as well as his parallel life as Gingerbread the cat, Tom will be plumbing the depths of our quirky culture.
So grab yourself some fush and chups, put some L&P in the chilly bin, say “yeah nah”, dress up fancy in your jandals and head out to see Tom in action when he come to a venue near you.
Summerset Retirement Villages presents Winding Up.
Barry and Gen may have retired, but these spirited seniors aren’t slowing down.
There’s overseas travel to plan, family feuds to settle, the inevitable health problems, and a friend to bury. As Barry and Gen put the fun into funerals and discover new complications in conjugal relations, Winding Up provides a hilarious testament to the lighter side of the golden years.
With over 40 plays under his belt, from Glide Time and Middle-Age Spread to Four Flat Whites in Italy, theatre legend Sir Roger Hall is thoroughly entitled to rest on his laurels.
Thankfully, he didn’t get the memo: Winding Up showcases Hall in classic form, once again demonstrating his inimitable wit and knowing insight, while comic legends Alison Quigan and Mark Hadlow command the stage
This production of Winding Up was originally produced by Auckland Theatre Company at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in February 2020.