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”.
Badjelly the Witch, the much-loved, utterly loony Spike Milligan classic, is this year’s Glow Show!
The brilliantly nonsensical tale is being entirely reimagined with the unique Glow Show treatment.
The Glow Show’s utterly original mash-up of science, puppetry and music is a glorious experience for children and this year it will be a wonderfully nostalgic event for adults.
The goofiness of Bare Bottom Land, the giggle-inducing catch-cries like “Stinky poo to all of you!”, and the larger than life characters of Badjelly are set to bring a little fright and lots of fun to more than 30 venues across Aotearoa from July 5.
Nearly 100,000 Kiwi kids, parents and educators have seen a Glow Show; come and join the fun with the frolicking, witchy-poo, super-fun Badjelly the Witch!
Don't miss out!
Behind the Glow: 25 min Meet and Greet option after the show. Up close and personal with creator and puppetry. Limited availability.
Nelson Youth Theatre Company presents Disney’s Finding Nemo JR., a 60-minute musical adaptation of the beloved 2003 Pixar movie Finding Nemo, with new music by award-winning songwriting team Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (FROZEN).
Marlin, an anxious and over-protective clownfish, lives in the Great Barrier Reef with his kid Nemo, who longs to explore the world beyond their anemone home. But when Nemo is captured and taken to Sydney, Marlin faces his fears and sets off on an epic adventure across the ocean. With the help of lovable characters such as optimistic Dory, laid-back sea turtle Crush, and the supportive Tank Gang, Marlin and Nemo both overcome challenges on their journey to find each other and themselves.
Featuring memorable songs such as “Just Keep Swimming”, “Fish Are Friends Not Food”, and “Go With the Flow”, Finding Nemo JR. brings a vibrant underwater world to life on stage in a story full of family, friendship, and adventure.
