14+ | Content warnings | Hearing Assistive Technology Available
Seats on the flat will be removed to make room for dancing.
A three-day rave condensed into an award-winning art performance: three dancers, non-stop, endurance, club culture. A spectacle of the human body as victim to music, passion and our endless desire to achieve more. Prepare to be (literally) moved. Dance floor tickets available!
“An international sweaty hellhole and the cesspit I so desire to be trapped in for 48 hours. The likes of the Berlin and New York underground rave scene have always fascinated me. I believe another version of myself exists somewhere in a piss-covered club where I’ve chewed through my cheeks and some guy’s kids are spilled down my back. I am galvanized and roused by rave culture and everything it encompasses.” - Oli Mathiesen
Oli Mathiesen with Lucy Lynch and Sharvon Mortimer present the award-winning The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave, an endurance-based dance work to the booming techno album 'Nocturbulous Behaviour' by Suburban Knight. Hot off their stints at Liveworks 2024 and Melbourne Fringe, we’re so thrilled to have this mind-blowing performance take over the Theatre Royal stage for our closing festival weekend. Seats are out, come prepared to join the rave!
Exploring the movement vocabulary used in techno and rave culture, a contemporary nightclub between 3 bodies emerges. Relentless movement, seamless without pause, detailed down to every beat. The atmosphere and culture of a 3-day rave condensed into a high art, streamlined performance where you watch the destruction of 3 human beings commence in front of you. Indulge in the pain, the sweat; a display of pure endurance to achieve a goal. A spectacle of the human body as a victim to music, as a victim to passion, as a victim to our endless desire to achieve more. To win and win again.
Resuscitation on repeat. It is the come up and the come down all in one and highlights the beauty of feeling alive but all the consequences that come with it. It’s an ode to the past 3-year marathon of losing societal morals and political structure. Our communal loss of work, time, love, sex, eating, fighting, cleaning, holidaying, sleeping, pashing, drinking, throwing up, everything, physicalised as an artifact of what we as a people have endured. And just like listening to a love song that sings to that one breakup you had, The Butterfly Who Flew Into the Rave is an acid house remix that screams f**k you to the pandemic.
“As an exploration of human endurance – the show does exactly what it set out to do. The Butterfly Who Flew Into The Rave is the coolest version of the beep test I’ve ever seen, and as an audience we’re locked in, rooting for their success whilst in awe of their prowess. Go and vicariously get your cardio in for a month!” - Art Murmurs
Artistic Credits:
Creator, Choreographer, and Performer: Oli Mathiesen (Ngāti Manu, Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi)
Choreographer and Performer: Lucy Lynch (Ngati Kahungunu)
Choreographer and Performer: Sharvon Mortimer (Ngāti Porou)
Producer and Stage Manager: Abbie Rogers (Ngāi Tahu, Te Arawa)
Production Designer and Operator: Bekky Boyce
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.
Pick up some Good Vibrations at this unforgettable celebration dedicated to the music of The Beach Boys.
For nearly 60 years, the Beach Boys have embodied summertime. Sun, surfing, the beach, pretty girls in bikinis, driving with the top down. Favourites like “Surfin Safari”, “Surfin USA”, “Surfer Girl”, “Little Deuce Coupe”, “Barbara Ann” and “California Girls” turned the warm-weather months into a blissful utopia where perpetual happiness, young love, and endless freedom reigned.
Now, THE BEACH BOYS EXPERIENCE bring to the stage a mesmerising vocal wall of harmonies to capture the iconic sounds of one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed bands of all time.
Come have some Fun, Fun, Fun at the coolest, hippest, most far-out concert in 2025!
The 2024 Gala Concert is the culmination of a jam-packed year of performing at Nayland College.
This celebration of the Arts features items from Vast Dance Festival, the Solo Performing Arts Competition, The Addams Family, the Contemporary Music showcase, Rock Quest, the KBB Music Festival, the NZCF Big Sing and the Dance Showcase.
Join our instrumental groups, choirs, dancers and actors for this wonderful celebration of the Arts.
From The Rocky Horror Show creator Richard O’Brien comes a new satirical musical, THE KINGDOM OF BLING. The master of madness today announces that the musical will embark on its world premiere “Celebration of Kindness Tour” throughout New Zealand this October.
Starring O’Brien as The Narrator, alongside an extraordinary ensemble cast, this cautionary tale has the wacky hallmarks of Rocky Horror while featuring giants, a menacing fox, trolls, and the king of the land - the obnoxious ‘The He’. The musical is backed by a stonking rock band, belting out original songs in a style that made Rocky Horror such a blast.
THE KINGDOM OF BLING is set in the style of a radio play in "a time of confusion, when so many madly, strange beliefs collide. A time when kindness had been demonised, while crafty blindness wined and dined in a world it had divided”.
It breaks the fourth wall, giving audiences the rare treat of playing along with one of the world’s most celebrated authors and actors whose production has been performed in 20 different languages and been seen by 30 million people globally. As a bonus track, THE KINGDOM OF BLING tour will feature a second act – a Q&A with O’Brien talking about his life, The Rocky Horror Show, the theatre and inspiration for his latest project.
O’Brien further announces that 100% of all royalties of THE KINGDOM OF BLING will go to the Starship Children’s Hospital in perpetuity.
Rockshop Bandquest is a performance platform for the next generation of contemporary musicians, powered throughout Aotearoa by NZ Rockshop.
Young musicians have the chance to step out and perform in a supportive and encouraging competition format, with a focus on education, inspiration and entertainment.
GENERAL ADMISSION - seats are not allocated.
2024 Bands - Running Order
The Night Lights - Tāhunanui Primary School
After 8 - Nelson College for Girls Preparatory School
Five Ways - Nelson College for Girls Preparatory School
The Cookie Champions - Tāhunanui Primary School
Twisted Tongues - Waimea Intermediate
The Saints of Rock - St Joseph’s School Nelson
Opposite Seasons - Nelson Central School
Electrified - Waimea Intermediate
Obsidian - St Joseph’s School Nelson
Jawz - Te Kura Tūwaenga o Whakatū, Nelson Intermediate
Velvet Knights - Bohally Intermediate School
Solar Flare - St Joseph’s School Nelson
Eloquence - Waimea Intermediate
Brand New Second Hand - Bohally Intermediate School
Quest - Nelson College Preparatory School
SoundStorm - Te Kura Tūwaenga o Whakatū, Nelson Intermediate
Guest Act: Solace
Come and enjoy homegrown country talent Zac Griffith, a 19-year-old award-winning country singer, songwriter/musician, live at the Theatre Royal Nelson.
Hear great country songs as well as some newly written songs of Griffith’s, and enjoy the music from him and a 6-piece backing band!
Seating is GENERAL ADMISSION, not allocated.
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!
Nelson, are you ready for The Ultimate Drag Show?
Get ready to sashay, shante, and slay with the most fabulous drag performers from coast to coast. The Ultimate Drag Show is hitting the road, bringing you an unforgettable extravaganza of glitz, glamour and jaw-dropping performances that will leave you begging for more!
RuPaul's Drag Race has brought Drag into the spotlight and we're here to show that New Zealand Drag talent is not to be overlooked because we can twirl, kick and SLAY just as hard as the rest of the world!
Join us for a night of dazzling entertainment, fierce competition and unforgettable moments as drag performers from across the country showcase their talent and creativity on stage. Whether you're a seasoned drag fan or new to the scene, The Ultimate Drag Show promises to deliver an experience like no other, featuring a lineup of the most talented drag kings and queens in the industry.
From high-energy lip-syncs to stunning runway looks, prepare to be amazed as our queens and kings bring their A-game to each and every performance, leaving you on the edge of your seat and cheering for more. You best believe we aren’t coming to play Nelson, we are coming to slay! So don’t delay in securing your tickets today.
Parental Guidance recommended. Coarse language may be used throughout the evening.
The Nelson Regional Final of Smokefreerockquest, New Zealand's nationwide, live, original music, youth event, giving young musicians the opportunity to perform live in a professional setting, in venues from Northland to Southland.
Smokefreerockquest 2024, powered by Rockshop, aims to motivate young musicians to strive for success, to realise the opportunities available in music careers, and to encourage their peers to support original New Zealand Music.
Stalls (downstairs): General Admission tickets. Some seats removed to make room for dancing.
Dress Circle (upstairs): allocated seating.
The 12 bands performing at the regional final are:
