AOTEAROA NEW ZEALAND

Lynda & Jools Topp

What better way to celebrate the Festival's 25th anniversary than to bring back the headline act from that very first year? Lucky for us all, it's the glorious, audacious and hilarious Topp Twins!

Among New Zealand's national treasures, Lynda and Jools Topp have performed around the world as an original comedy-music duo for more than 25 years. The identical twins re-invent themselves on stage, changing character, musical style and gender with ease.

Armed with guitar, mouth-harp and spoons, they deliver original songs and character comedy with their unique trademark style of spontaneity, audience participation, incredible harmonies and some of the best yodelling this side of anywhere.

"Expect the unexpected! The Topp Twins are guaranteed to have you laughing or crying with sheer joy" FINANCIAL TIMES, UK

"Break down doors to see them." THE AGE

Pop-up Globe presents Shakespeare's wild comedy Measure for Measure

"Show-stopping" - NZ Herald
"Delivered literally in 'delight by delight'" - Broadway World NZ
"A must see" - Jennifer, audience member

Don't miss the extraordinary and joyous comedy Measure for Measure as the critically-acclaimed Pop-up Globe production tours to theatres across New Zealand this winter.

Experience Moulin Rouge, Shakespeare-style with this all-singing, all-dancing cast as they take a wild romp through the seedy streets of 17th century Vienna, meeting larger-than-life characters who will charm you even as they pick your pocket. In a city of brothels, louche lads-about-town and illegitimate children, the mayor and a young nun meet in private. She wants to save her brother's life. He is happy to help - but at what price?

Featuring beautiful bespoke Jacobean costumes, a specially designed touring set that recreates the beautiful scenic design of Pop-up Globe Auckland and the extraordinary lively performances of Shakespeare's masterworks by a highly-experienced cast that have won the company awards across Australasia, including eight theatre awards in Sydney last year.

Enjoy a wild and hilarious night out, directed by Pop-up Globe's Artistic Director Miles Gregory. This production is not to be missed!

Presented by the Pop-up Globe Nottingham's Company
Directed by Dr Miles Gregory
Associate directors: Eddie Bijl and Brigid Costello
Running time: 2 hours 30 minutes (includes 15 minute interval)

Originally staged in the UK, this Le Navet Bete critically-acclaimed production is now being presented by the Nelson Repertory Theatre. Directed by local theatre legend Hugh Neill (One Man, Two Guvnors, Hound of the Baskervilles), this fast-paced and innovative comedy is now having its New Zealand premiere in Nelson!

Taking audiences on a journey across Europe from the dark and sinister Transylvanian mountains to the awkwardly charming seaside town of Whitby, the frantic Van Helsing and his three hapless actors try to stage a life-changing, factual theatrical production of the events of Dracula. Will they pull it off? It’s highly unlikely!

With four actors playing over 30 characters, you’ll see sensational slapstick, frantic costume changes and airborne props, all strung together with clever dialogue and hilarious wordplay.

Dracula – The Bloody Truth is a comedy to sink your teeth into!

Disney's The Aristocats KIDS and Disney's The Jungle Book Kids is a one hour double bill that is sure to entertain the entire family during the school holiday.

Based on the beloved Disney animated film, and featuring a jazzy, upbeat score, Disney's The Aristocats KIDS is a non-stop thrill ride of feline fun.

In the heart of Paris, a kind and eccentric millionairess wills her entire estate to Duchess, her high-society cat, and her three little kittens. Laughs and adventure ensue as the greedy, bumbling butler pulls off the ultimate catnap caper. Now it's up to the rough-and-tumble alley cat, Thomas O'Malley, and his band of swingin' jazz cats to save the day.

The jungle is jumpin' with a jazzy beat in Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS. Adapted from the classic Disney animated film, Disney's The Jungle Book KIDS features a host of colourful characters and your favourite songs from the movie: The Bear Necessities, Trust in Me, I Wanna Be Like You, Colonel Hathi's March and That's What Friends are For.

Unfortunately Alex Williamson has been forced to cancel his show at Theatre Royal on Wednesday 20 March for personal reasons.

A New Musical by Jane Austen and Penny Ashton

Flushed by six years of success, from Edinburgh to Toronto to a sellout Nelson Arts Festival, returns Penny Ashton’s collaboration with Jane Austen (deceased). Join Miss Elspeth as she battles literary snobbery, cousin Horatio’s digestions and her mother’s nerves, armed only with a blushing countenance, excellent ukulele skills & being quite bright, you know... for a girl. In this hilarious, one-(freakishly talented)-woman show, Penny (Radio NZ’s Panel, Olive Copperbottom, Hot Pink Bits) tackles all of Austen’s characters with song, dance & appalling cross-stitching.

Best Theatre, Week Three - Adelaide Fringe
Touring Production of the Year - Dunedin Theatre Awards
Best Solo Show - Victoria Fringe, Canada

"PRIDE AND PREJUDICE GONE WILD IN THE BEST WAY" - 5 stars - Rip It Up

"A DELIGHT" - 5 stars - Canadian Broadcasting Corporation

"SPARKLING" - 4 stars - The Scotsman

Based on the hugely popular TV comedy series, the stage version of Allo Allo follows the adventures of René, the hapless cafe owner in the war-torn occupied France, as he and his wife Edith struggle to keep themselves as priceless portrait stolen by the Nazis and kept in a sausage in their cellar. René is hiding two British airmen and is endeavouring to repatriate them with the help of the Resistance.

However, communications with London through a wireless disguised as a cockatoo add to many embarrassments he endures in the company of his patrons. Matters come to a head with the news that the Fuhrer is to visit the town and the cafe becomes filled with tricksters intending to impersonate Hitler before the event.

René will need all the wit he can muster to save his cafe and his life...!

Staring award-winning Ali Harper who last appeared in Nelson with the popular one woman show Songs for Nobodies at the Nelson Arts Festival. Legendary Divas is a celebration of all those incredible women that have inspired us with their music.

Expect nostalgia, comedy, audience participation, a rip roaring 80s medley with a splash of Madonna as well as many stories enlightening the audience; French Chanteuse Edith Piaf's connection with the Resistance, a Julie Andrew's My Fair Lady spoof to Dolly Parton's love for the nip and tuck.

Glamourous and captivating. Legendary Divas is a feast for anyone who wants to reminisce and celebrate those extraordinary women who will always remain in our hearts through their music.

Tickets on sale from 1 December 2018, 9.00am. Early bird special from 1 Dec 2018 to 15 Jan 2019.

Borderline Arts Ensemble - Aotearoa New Zealand

Inspired by the works of the great surrealist painters, Lobsters is a story about love itself, and the way we must peel away our shells to find our authentic selves.

Lobsters fuses invigorating contemporary dance with the eccentric and humorous story of a lobster who was once Salvador Dali's muse. She tells of her rise and fall, from celebrity artistic icon to washed-up cabaret singer, and observes with irony two young lovers (inspired by the famous painting by René Magritte) who struggle to connect their idealized image of love with reality.

Choreographer Lucy Marinkovich, recently returning from practising in Germany, Spain, France, Croatia and Singapore, combines talents with Athens-Wellington-NYC based theatre maker Miranda Manasiadis, to bring you the athletic and visually compelling Lobsters.

"...bawdy, sensual, glamorous, dirty, beautiful, and melancholic cabaret of ruminations on love, sex, and longing." THEATREVIEW

"...intense, physical, compelling..." DEIRDRE TARRANT

Awards
Wellington Theatre Awards 2017 - Best Ensemble Performance - EXCELLENCE AWARD WINNER
Lucien Johnson - Wellington Theatre Awards 2017 - WINNER - BEST SOUND DESIGNER
Wellington Theatre Awards 2017 - Carmel McGlone - CAMPION AWARD FOR MOST OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE

The Wonderful Adventures of a Robot Girl

BANDART Productions - Hungary

A 21st century Pinocchio that combines theatre with the newest digital technologies: projection, smart LED costume, robot ball and drone, in a fascinating story for all ages.

Robot girl Ann's goal is to become human. Her creator Alfred, a playful inventor, gives Ann one task - to collect and bring back home the lost creatures. During her wonderful journey on the ground, in the air and underwater, she faces many challenges that help her discover the most important virtues in life. But what else does Ann find? Follow her path to learn what she really discovers in this magical world!

In this beautifully animated, heart-warming family show from multi-award winning BANDART Productions, drawings come to life and performers move together with the projected visuals to create a 3D movie experience, right before our very eyes.

"Spell-binding!" IRISH MIRROR

"I didn't want it to end." JOHANNA, 6 YEARS OLD

"Grace, humour, creativity... every moment was remarkable." KELEMEN KISS ILONA HELÉN

Awards
1st Hungary's Got Talent - GOLDEN BUZZER
10th Internationale Kulturbörse Germany - WINNER 1ST PADERBORNER PERFORMANCE PRIZE

Recommended for age 4+ years.