Ooh la la! Something sinister is afoot. New Zealand is under attack from the infamous French Pirate Captain Langlois and his fiendish Gallic rooster, Napoleon.
From the Hauraki Gulf to Foveaux Strait, nowhere is safe from his piratical plundering. When all else fails the nation turns to the Royal New Zealand Navy and courageous Commander Claire to lead the resistance against the feisty French marauder.
A wildly imaginative children’s pantomime with audience participation, puppetry, songs and over-the-shoulder cardboard ships!
Villain, victim or someone far more intriguing? Shylock explores the tragic, tempestuous, often unbelievable life of fiction's most famous Jew.
Shylock has always divided opinion. There is no doubt he is hard done by in The Merchant of Venice, but does he bring it on himself? As one of only two Jewish men in the whole of Shakespeare, he has been portrayed in ways that reflected how Jews were popularly viewed - from comic villain to a victim of racial discrimination.
This award-winning, poignant, powerful yet humorous performance brings us Shylock afresh in one of the most globally successful solo shows of the last decade.
Written & directed by Gareth Armstrong
"Innovative, delightful, exceptional!" THE INDEPENDENT
"This is as good as theatre gets…. A privilege to watch." LIVERPOOL POST
Guy Masterson is a multi award-winning actor, theatre director and producer with an extraordinary lineage in the entertainment industry.
Celebrating a day in the life of Llareggub - a small seaside village somewhere in Wales - all 69 ebullient inhabitants in Dylan Thomas' timeless masterpiece are hilariously recreated in an amazing feat of memory and virtuosity.
Complemented by a stunning original soundscape, it's bawdy and beautiful, sad and sensual and, through the music of language, leaves indelible, unforgettable images of humanity.
Made famous by Richard Burton's legendary recording in 1954, Guy Masterson (Burton's nephew) brings the entire work to vivid life on stage.
Directed by Tony Boncza
Written by Dylan Thomas
"It's a feat of multiple characterisation, impeccable timing, vocal dexterity and precise physical control, performed with tremendous sensitivity and panache!" THE GUARDIAN
"Absolutely wonderful, intensely therapeutic, intensely uplifting! Guy Masterson is something exceptional!" BBC RADIO SCOTLAND
Triumphs and Other Alternatives collides sculpture with gutsy performance to create a visceral new form of dance theatre.
The show explores the obsession and delusional joys that exist at the heart of the creative process, told through an expressive and poetic performance language. The central character is performed by Ross McCormack, a New Zealand dancer acclaimed internationally. McCormack plays a creator, confounded and enraptured by the works of art he makes.
Triumphs and Other Alternatives has delighted and deeply touched audiences in New Zealand and Australia, with one reviewer noting "I gave it a standing ovation, and continue to applaud it today".
"A low rumble in the background builds to the musical score. McCormack emerges as the 'Maker' character - a sculptor, a mad scientist, a perfectionist who manipulates his 'Creations' … this really is a perfect example of dance theatre... It is a work of art." THEATREVIEW
Not suitable for children, recommended 12+
The ultimate live cult film experience!
LIVE LIVE CINEMA takes four actor-musicians and pushes their multi-tasking skills to the limit. While Roger Corman's 1960 comic and macabre film plays behind them, the four performers work at break-neck speed to re-voice multiple characters in perfect lip synch, whilst playing a brand new score and creating live sound effects.
With our stars leaping from piano to guitar, bass to door bell, to that thing that makes the sound of footsteps - this is LIVE LIVE CINEMA's most dangerous 4-D movie yet.
It's a wild ride - where you gonna look?
Jumpboard Productions
Created and composed by Leon Radojkovic
Directed by Oliver Driver
From the people who brought us CARNIVALE OF SOULS in 2012!
"A tremendous spectacle of both cinema and human endeavour." EXPOSURE.ORG.UK
"The acting is tremendous, the musicality virtuous, the foley production ridiculous." METRO MAGAZINE
Hinepau is different from other members of the hapu. She looks different, weaves back to front and inside out, and just doesn't seem to fit in. Hinepau's attempts to hide her uniqueness fail and, through fear and prejudice, she is cast out.
As time moves on, the influence of the tete ara - upcoming chief - grows, along with his arrogance. His actions lead to a violent volcanic eruption, destroying the village. With their land desolate, there is little chance of survival.
Hinepau respects the mauri - life force. The power of her respect offers the opportunity to save the village, but only through an ultimate gift of aroha can she save the very people who rejected her.
Recommended for children aged 7-13 and adults.
Capital E National Theatre for Children
Based on the book of the same name by Gavin Bishop
Directed by Jamie McCaskill
Renowned hip-hop artist Scribe features with his father John and brother Matthias in the stunning true story of their family, the Luafutus.
A grandmother's dream of a better life in New Zealand collides with the reality of hardship and loss: a man's journey from boyhood innocence into the heart of darkness - through violence, drug addiction, prison and gangs - to the possibility of hope, healing and redemption.
With the intensity of a live gig, music pumps through the story's veins - from the first songs of a grandmother as she sings along with her white guitar, to the power of rock 'n' roll, the beats of hip-hop and church hymns.
A story of hardship, loss, hope and healing.
"The White Guitar is the best and most affecting piece of theatre I have seen, hands down, for a long time." THEATREVIEW
"As the Christchurch audience rose to offer the Luafutu men a standing ovation I knew I had just witnessed a seminal moment in New Zealand theatre history." THE PRESS
Directed by Nina Nawalowalo and Jim Moriarty
Warning: R13+. Strong language. Contents include domestic violence.
Originally commissioned by the Christchurch Arts Festival.
Life's most momentous occasions celebrate new direction, change, a fresh focus, moving on; New Years' resolutions, a break up, moving house, changing jobs, getting married.
So don't get stuck in that rut, throw off those comfy old slippers and come on down to Off the Cuff: Out with the Old, In with the New, Nelson's monthly improv show at the Theatre Royal.
There will be nothing old, in fact it will all be made up on the spot - comedy, songs, drama, poetry, dance - you can't get newer than that! We might sing Old MacDonald, have new adventures, meet some old characters, create a new hope, get a little old school or experience a brave new world.
For more information visit https://www.facebook.com/offthecuffimprov/
It's springtime and something isn't right. Where have the bees gone? What has happened to the Queen Bee? Has Bizzy Lizzy the evil Wasp Queen something to do with it?
We know our bee population is declining but Buzzz brings us one particular hive with a story about believing in yourself. A story that says YOU can make a difference.
Buzzz - a brand new pantomime, written here in Nelson has all the traditional panto fun we know and love. Alongside the slapstick, goodies, baddies, the hero and dame is an interactive message we just can't ignore!
Buzzz - can YOU save the bees?
C’mon, you got this. Oh no, he didn’t. No more kidding. Game on. Oh, hell no! It’s going down. Buckle up. Man your stations … cos it’s about to get real.
Things are going to get real at Off the Cuff, Nelson’s monthly improv show at the Theatre Royal on Friday 19th August at 7.30pm.
We don’t know if it’s going to get real scary, real funny, real dramatic, real romantic, real villainous, real serious, real thrilling or real suspenseful, but we do know it’s about to get real. So hang up your rod and reel and the ‘gone fishin’ sign’ and head down to the Theatre Royal for a really great evening of improvised music, comedy and drama.
For more information visit our FB page https://www.facebook.com/offthecuffimprov/
