In this colourful and turbulent concoction of pure joy and intimacy, watch Casus Circus bring a blank canvas to life and revel in our innate need for human contact.

This is a circus show that won't let you forget what it is to be human, and in a moment of danger, how a grasping hold can be survival.

The unique acrobatic shapes signature to Casus abound in this journey of explosive encounters, hidden looks, and humorous discoveries.

Accompany Casus as we surge forward... together!

"Outrageously impressive." THE LIST

"The most magnificent show of the Festival." EDINBURGH FESTIVAL MAGAZINE

"Breathtaking sounds like a buzzword, so let's just say I kept forgetting to breathe; eyes wide, mouth agape, in complete awe."
THE ADVERTISER


"Driftwood is quickly becoming circus royalty so be quick, go and grab a ticket."
ED FEST MAGAZINE

"We may all be cast on the ocean of life but Driftwood is rising above the waves." BROADWAY BABY

Watch the dancers of your national ballet company performing a specially curated programme of works, including classical and contemporary favourites.

Ballet's most beloved stories come to life with the Sugar Plum Fairy's famous pas de deux from The Nutcracker, and a stylish, contemporary excerpt from Swan Lake called 'Meet the Swan'.

See a selection of works by legendary choreographers, treasured by dance companies the world over, and a whimsical new work by RNZB Choreographer in Residence, Loughlan Prior.

A show not to be missed.

Artistic Director - Patricia Barker

Please note: programme is subject to change.

Award-winning actress and singer Ali Harper is bringing the critically-acclaimed, one-woman play Songs for Nobodies to Nelson.

Share five life-changing encounters between legendary divas Judy Garland, Patsy Cline, Edith Piaf, Billie Holiday and Maria Callas, and the everyday women whose lives they touched, interspersed with their iconic songs.

Songs for Nobodies is a one-of-a-kind showcase that reminds us that everybody has a story - and a song - worth hearing.

"Ali Harper has a range and depth and clarity which, combined with her acting ability, make for a stunning performance." THEATREVIEW

"... truly astonishing acting and singing tour-de-force." THE CHRISTCHURCH PRESS

Awards
United Solo Festival, New York 2014 - ALI HARPER - BEST ACTRESS
Chapman Tripp Awards, Wellington 2008 - ALI HARPER - BEST ACTRESS

Starring Ali Harper
Written by Joanna Murray-Smith
Directed by Ross Gumbley
Musical Direction by Richard Marrett

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.

An FCC and New Zealand Festival Co-Production - Aotearoa New Zealand

Samoan New Zealander Tusiata Avia's poetry becomes a fearless and enchanting piece of theatre under the direction of Anapela Polata'ivao and a cast of six powerful Pasefika actresses.

Breathing provocative new life into Avia's examination and celebration of what it is to be a Samoan woman, Polata'ivao's direction adds "extra levels of nuance, power and dramatic sophistication", which earned her Best Director in the 2016 Auckland Theatre Awards.

Through her vivid, compelling and at times hilarious characters, Avia paints a deeply personal view of Pacific Island life and its sometimes uneasy collisions with the Kiwi way.

Heart-stopping and unmissable theatre.

"One of the best pieces of theatre I've seen in many years." ALBERT WENDT

"Make time to catch the fantastic Wild Dogs Under My Skirt." DOMINION POST

"I highly recommend this. An amazing night." LYNN FREEMAN, RNZ NATIONAL

Awards
Anapela Polata'ivao - 2016 Auckland Theatre Awards - BEST DIRECTOR

Written by Tusiata Avia
Directed by Anapela Polata'ivao

Aotearoa New Zealand

Transforming the Theatre Royal into a sublime sound and light venue, composer Rhian Sheehan delivers a truly emotive and immersive audio-visual show, showcasing his brand new album A Quiet Divide, as well as work from his previous acclaimed albums.

Featuring a full band, a local string section and a dream-like montage of captivating visuals, time-lapse, portraits, animations, landscapes and starscapes, Rhian Sheehan creates a breath-taking son et lumière.

Originally from Nelson, Sheehan's award-winning compositions have featured on screens around the world, including the BBC, Netflix, HBO, the US Super Bowl and The Academy Awards, while his albums have amassed over 30 million streams on Spotify alone.

"... a 'wish you were there' moment, where the audience is so mesmerised you could hear a pin drop." SUNDAY STAR TIMES

"...a stunning show." SIMON SWEETMAN

Awards
Fiske Fulldome Film Festival (2015) - WINNER BEST SOUNDTRACK
Qantas Film & Television Awards (2010) - WINNER BEST ORIGINAL SCORE

Proudly supported by Nelson Consulting Engineers and Creative New Zealand

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