For the first time, Legacy Groovers, Legacy Dance and Legacy Performance Company will take to the Nelson Theatre Royal stage and bring to life EXPRESS. The students at Legacy will have you feeling Merry and Jolly with this Festive Season-inspired dance show.
With over 150 dancers from ages 4 - 19, EXPRESS will rekindle the sparklejollytwinklejingley memories and feelings we have every festive season. This 3-act show will follow Gabgab (Nana Gabrielle) as she reflects on her most memorable Christmases and some of her worrying feelings. With all our favourite Christmas carols paired with costumes and personalities, our Nelson and Tasman Dancers will shine brighter than the Rockafella Centre Christmas Tree on Christmas Eve.
EXPRESS by Legacy Dance is a show for all ages.
Like Santa, check your list twice and ensure you have the correct ACT, DAY, and TIME. All ticket purchases are final. The box office cannot Exchange, Refund, or Reallocate tickets purchased incorrectly.
ACT 1 - Night Before Christmas performed by Legacy Groovers Pre-School Dance Programme
Performance Times: Sat 7 Dec, 12pm & 6pm (NO Act 1 on Friday 6 Dec)
We meet Gabgab (Nana Gabrielle) on Christmas Eve. She is getting ready to perform one of her favourite Christmas Traditions: reading Twas the night before Christmas to all the young kids in her Neighbourhood.
The Neighbourhood kids (Legacy Groovers Pre-School dancers) have decided to surprise Gabgab with a little bit of Christmas Spirit and Magic; they bring to life the character from Gabgab's favourite Christmas Story, "Twas the Night Before Christmas."
30 Minute Interval. The auditorium will be closed to ticket holders at this time.
ACT 2 - Adventus performed by Legacy Dance Community Dance Programme, Monday and Wednesday Classes
Performance Times: Fri 6 Dec, 7pm; Sat 7 Dec, 1pm & 7pm
After all the excitement and surprise Gabgab had watching her story come to life, she began to think back; Christmas was filled every year with family, love, joy, and Christmas cheer. Much like Santa travelling through the Christmas Eve sky, stopping at every chimney to deliver presents, we meet a young Gabbie who will open the doors to her own Advent Calendar of Favourite Christmases. Behind every advent door, memories burst out, and Gabbie reminisces and celebrates the joy of Christmas.
30 Minute Interval. The auditorium will be closed to ticket holders at this time.
ACT 3 - Cadere performed by Legacy Performance Company Extension Dance Programme
Performance times: Fri 6 & Sat 7 Dec, 8.30pm (NO Act 3 on Saturday afternoon)
Gabbie enjoys the beauty and wonder of her Christmas Past. She goes to sleep, wishing for it to be quick so she can have a merry Little Christmas.
Everyone knows Santa has a Naughty and Nice List, and Gabbie starts to dream what it would be like if she was on the Naughty List. Gabbie's Christmas spirit dampens as she understands how different the reason for the season can be when you are put on the Naughty List. Gabbie struggles through seven characteristics that stem from overindulgence, characteristics that don't feel like Christmas cheer.
Gabgab wakes up early on Christmas. She can hear the neighbourhood kids starting to wake up. She has to choose whether to share what she learned in her dream.
Perhaps the best Yuletide decoration is one wreathed in smiles…
Family Friendly | All Ages (PG) | Hearing Assistive Technology Available
Seats on the flat will be removed to make room for dancing.
Rows S, T & U in the Dress Circle may have restricted viewing of the projected content of this event.
Experience the greatest concert film of all time like never before! Stop Making Sense was shot over three nights at Hollywood's Pantages Theatre in December 1983 and features Talking Heads' most memorable songs.
You’re going to a movie but be prepared to leave your seats and dance for this one!
Newly restored in 4K to coincide with its 40th anniversary, this 1984 film was directed by renowned filmmaker Jonathan Demme and is considered by critics as the greatest concert film of all time.
Stop Making Sense stars core band members David Byrne, Tina Weymouth, Chris Frantz, and Jerry Harrison along with Bernie Worrell, Alex Weir, Steve Scales, Lynn Mabry and Edna Holt.
Take a look at the trailer here and get excited – we'll see you on the dance floor, Whakatū!
100% fun | 100% African | 100% joy
Cirque Africa is produced and directed by ‘Papa Africa’ aka Winston Ruddle, the director who brought us the HIT BROADWAY SHOW CIRQUE MOTHER AFRICA. Cirque Africa is coming to New Zealand in 2024 with a brand new show featuring the very best talent from across Africa.
Audiences will be fully immersed in traditional African culture while witnessing a hand-picked world-renowned African troupe. Ranging from acrobats to dancers, musicians to contortionists, masterfully performing in this energetic two-hour spectacle.
Rhythmic, colourful, energetic and awe-inspiring.
Cirque Africa artists have performed to over 2 million people worldwide and are guaranteed to captivate audiences young and old by combining the best of contortion, acrobatics, traditional dance, live music, pan spinning, hand balancing and so much more.
“Extraordinary talent. The performers bring so much energy and joy to the crowd” – Glam Adelaide
“Cirque Africa is fresh, funky, bold, fun and challenges your imagination like no other show.” – Broadway World
You won’t want to miss this uniquely vibrant performance.
Everybody is invited to step behind the scenes at our Open Day.
The Theatre Royal Open Day is a wonderful opportunity to explore this beautiful historic building. You can learn a little about how a theatre works, understand what is involved to make a production come to life, and check out some of the technical operating systems, including the fly tower. Those who want to take their turn in the limelight can experience the view that actors have from the stage.
There is no need to book for the Open Day, just come along to the Theatre Royal Nelson on Sunday 22 September, between 11am and 2pm, and join in the FREE fun for the whole family.
Originally created by Nanotechnologist and Materials Engineer, Dr Michelle Dickinson, MNZM—Nanogirl™ is a superhero with a difference!
Her superpowers don’t come from alien parents or magic—instead, Nanogirl builds them using the superpowers of STEM!
Nanogirl and her friends use their skills to engineer their way into - and out of - trouble in order to inspire and empower young people around the world to tackle some of the world’s biggest questions.
Vast Dance Festival is a dance festival for high schools across Te Tau Ihu, giving students the opportunity to demonstrate their choreographic and technical skills.
The Festival fosters the dance community amongst high school students and celebrates a wide range of dance styles.
Guru of Chai has been described as a work of genius.
The contradictions of modern India, with its iPhones and ancient gods, come alive in this much loved play from one of New Zealand’s finest performers.
A poor chai-wallah (tea-seller) has his life changed forever when a young girl is abandoned at a busy railway station and brings the place to a standstill with the beauty of her singing.
Jacob Rajan stars as a buck-toothed Guru, dispensing dubious spiritual wisdom while channelling 17 perfectly realised characters in this gripping romantic thriller.
Outrageously funny and heartbreakingly beautiful, with a killer live sound track, this is not to be missed.
Winner: Best Actor, Best Composer, Best New Play
“Genius” – Stuff
“Flawless” – Sydney Morning Herald
“Mesmerizing” – NZ Herald
“Sheer brilliance… a joy to behold” – NZ Listener
“Makes you laugh, shows you magic and touches your heart" – Arts Hub Sydney ★★★★★
Start your holidays off with a song in your heart! A sing-along with Kath Bee always puts a smile on your face. All the songs you love, including Sprinkle A Little Sunshine, Dragons Under My Bed, Individuality, Dad I wanna be a Camel, Blowing Bubbles, Magic in Me and more!
Everyone loves Kath Bee's performances, her down-to-earth manner, ability to connect with the audience, both children and adults - she always makes everyone feel special.
Winner of multiple awards including the 2020 and 2022 APRA NZ Children's Song of the Year, Kath's songs are catchy, uplifting and will stay with you and your child long after the concert is over. Bring your favourite soft toy to dance with, dress up in your favourite outfit and come ready for some actions, dancing, laughter and fun! Don't forget to bring your singing voice!
Kath always has giveaways, bubbles and very often some surprises during her shows. Plus she'll have books and ribbon wands to purchase and take away as a memento. She will be there after the show for photos and to sign your purchases. She can't wait to sing with you!
Gillian Francis’ Nelson Academy of Dance presents an evening of delightful, enchanting dance.
Young Marie, with her brother and mother, visit a Doll Shop to see the dolls dancing. The children have a wonderful time watching all the different dolls; Drummer, French, Poodle, Fairy, Can Can dancers, and many more. However, they cannot decide which one they would like, so go home empty handed.
Later, Marie dreams about the dolls and suddenly finds herself back at the shop, having a splendid time dancing with all the dolls. But really it was all a dream.
Join Marie and all the other young dancers for an enchanting, not to be missed evening.
Wakatū Dance Theatre proudly presents Chase The Dream.
The theme for this year’s show is CHASE THE DREAM, encouraging our students to look ahead to the future and realise their dreams. The music suggests hope and happiness, which gives a positive lift to the dance and choreography.
Some of our music choices include; ‘Imagine’ by John Lennon, ‘Take the First Step’ from Elmo in Grouchland, ‘A Million Dreams’ from The Greatest Showman. We want our audience to enjoy an hour and a half of uplifting music, song, drama and dance.
As Walt Disney once famously said “All our dreams can come true if we have the courage to pursue them”.
