An energetic and creative display of dance troupes and duo/trios from the top of the South.

From Hip Hop to Jazz or Musical Theatre there is something for everyone. Come and be wowed by the talent of these 6-18yr old dancers. Suitable for the whole family.

General Admission.

Nelson Youth Theatre presents Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat!

Joseph is a bright, fun and musically entertaining take on the biblical life of Joseph, his father Jacob and his brothers, featuring many favourites, including Pharaoh’s ‘Song of the King’, ‘Joseph’s Coat’, ‘Go, Go Go Joseph’, ‘Close Every Door’ and ‘Any Dream Will Do’. Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat will surely have you smiling ear to ear!

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!

Rock the City is back! Nelson’s long-running youth music concert is returning to the Theatre Royal Nelson.

Rock the City is a non-competitive band showcase that is all about supporting our talented young musicians and giving them the opportunity to play in a professional environment to an audience of their peers. Each artist will perform 2-3 songs each for a supportive and enthusiastic crowd. With multiple bands on the bill, there's sure to be something for everyone, from indie rock to acoustic ballads and everything in between.

Plus, The Everest Nepalese food truck will be supplying complimentary bites to keep you fueled up and moving your feet all night long.

So bring your friends, bring your family and get ready to be blown away by the talent on display. This is a night you won't want to miss!

Some seats on the flat will be removed to make room for dancing.

This is an alcohol free event.

After the International sell-out 2022 tour of A Celtic Christmas, A Taste of Ireland―The Irish Music & Dance Sensation returns due to popular demand, with their performance that is ‘Celtic―for this decade’.

Featuring the Irish tunes that we all know and love, the show’s live, energetic blend of well-known tunes, jaw-dropping acapella tap battles, world-class dancing, melodic folk music mash-ups and craic galore, transports you through the story of Ireland’s tumultuous history, complimented by stunning production and lighting. Starring dancers from Lord of the Dance and Gaelforce Dance, alongside a treasure trove of Irish Dancing Champions, A Taste of Ireland delivers the very best talent in the nation.

Experience one of the most prominent Irish Dance shows in the world today. A Taste of Ireland combines toe-tapping rhythms with heart-warming emotion to create a contemporary Irish dance showcase that will leave you shouting for more.

With tours lined up around the globe, don’t miss your chance to see A Taste of Ireland in 2023. It’s truly ‘Celtic―for this decade’.

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!

Seussical is a fantastical, magical, musical extravaganza!

Our favorite Dr. Seuss characters, including Horton the Elephant, The Cat in the Hat, Gertrude McFuzz, lazy Mayzie and a little girl with a big imagination - Jojo, transport us from the Jungle of Nool to the Circus McGurkus to the invisible world of the Whos.

The Cat in the Hat tells the story of Horton, an elephant who discovers a speck of dust that contains the Whos, including Jojo, a Who child sent off to military school for thinking too many "thinks". Horton faces a double challenge: not only must he protect the Whos from a world of naysayers and dangers, but he must guard an abandoned egg, left in his care by the irresponsible Mayzie La Bird. Although Horton faces ridicule, danger, kidnapping and a trial, the intrepid Gertrude McFuzz never loses faith in him. Ultimately, the powers of friendship, loyalty, family and community are challenged and emerge triumphant.

Seussical is fun for the whole family!

SPECIAL SATURDAY FAMILY MATINEE. Children (AND ADULTS) are invited to dress up as their favourite Seuss character and come on stage for a photo with the cast!

Musicians will be accompanying the show from the Orchestra Pit.

Show duration: approx. 75 minutes, no interval

The much-loved Glow Show is back! This year it is the Wonderland Glow Show – a fabulously Kiwified version of Alice in Wonderland. Perfect for 0-7 year olds.

The show’s masterfully crafted characters and intriguing scenery will transport its audiences into a weird and wonderful world of dancing flamingos, an eight-metre caterpillar and giant flowers.

Wonderland Glow Show is all about reading being a true superpower, a power every kid has inside.

The Glow Show educates and entertains, by promoting literacy and Te Reo Māori, and celebrating the exquisite art of ultraviolet puppetry. It offers a truly memorable experience with positive and uplifting messages for tamariki.

82,000 Kiwi kids have already seen the Glow Show’s innovative, glow-in-the dark giant puppet shows, which are an absolute favourite for school children and educators. The Glow Show’s latest storytelling bonanza is coming to the Theatre Royal this July, during the school holidays.

35 minutes

Buy 10 tickets, get the 11th ticket free. Only available at the Theatre Royal box office.

Nelson Youth Theatre presents Oliver, the musical where the audience whistles the tunes on the way into the theatre!

Strong characters and contrasting themes of light and dark bring Dicken’s story memorably to life, from the cruel deprivations of the workhouse to the raucous comedy of Fagin and his gang of pickpockets, accompanied by well known favourite songs such as 'Food Glorious Food', 'As Long as He Needs Me', 'Consider Yourself', 'I'd do Anything' and of course the title song 'Oliver!'

Nelson Youth Theatre presents The Sound of Music, the musical based on one of the most screened movies of all time!

With its unforgettable score, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s The Sound of Music touches the hearts of all ages and brims over with some of the most memorable songs ever performed on stage, including 'Edelweiss', 'My Favourite things', 'Do-Re-Mi', 'Climb Every Mountain', 'So Long Farewell', and of course, 'The Sound of Music'. It’s the perfect family treat and will enchant the young and young at heart!