Starring Helen Moulder
Directed by Jeff Kingsford-Brown
The magnificent Cynthia Fortitude is definitely in the twilight of her long career as operatic diva. Tonight, she has arrived to give a musical lecture for the inaugural meeting of the Nelson Tasman Opera Guild (NELTOG). Her longsuffering accompanist, Miss Gertrude Rallentando, is nowhere to be found, so Cynthia must battle on without her.
“I wanted to honour the character of Gertie,” Helen says. “My good friend, Rose Beauchamp, who played Gertie for thirty years with me in Hens’ Teeth, The Legend Returns and Cynthia & Gertie Go Baroque, sadly died in 2022, and I wanted the delicious character of Gertie to live on somehow.” Gertie does not appear in this show of course, but is very present in all sorts of ways!
“Helen Moulder’s determined, dotty and totally delightful Cynthia…. an unbeatable gem of a comic character.” – Laurie Atkinson, Dominion-Post
“A most enduring clown, an irreverent and fanciful diva.” – Thomas La Hood, Theatreview
Please note, seating is General Admission (not allocated)
14+ | Content warnings | Lock-out applies | NZSL Interpreted | Audio Described | Hearing Assistive Technology Available
Rows S, T & U in the Dress Circle may have restricted viewing of the projected content of this event.
An exploration of identity, desire, family, and of being disabled and Pasifika, AIGA (Sāmoan for family/whānau) is ground-breaking theatre told through the lens of Pacific Toa award-winner Lusi Faiva.
AIGA represents the big dreams and heart-felt reflections of award-winning disabled performing artist Lusi Faiva – performed by an ensemble of women, non-binary, disabled, non-disabled, Pasifika and Māori creatives.
Exploring identity, family, and desire, AIGA is a show that ebbs, flows, dips forward into the wicked and tilts back toward the heavenly as we traverse the experience of Lusi’s beautiful and complex life story. Using music, movement and dramedy, AIGA chronologically captures Lusi’s life from youth into adulthood, from 1960’s Samoa to the warrior that we bear witness to today.
AIGA is a three-year “crip time and c r i p s p a c e” devised work that has not only drawn on the life history of Lusi, but also the experiences of co-collaborators and performers including Iana Grace Pauga, Forest V Kapo (Te Atiawa, Ngāti Raukawa), Alex Medland (Kai Tahu), Jake Arona and support writer and performer Fiona Collins. The collective creative ensemble of women, non-binary, disabled, non-disabled, Pasifika and Māori gives this work its proud identity.
We’re incredibly proud to share this Aotearoa story with universal resonance with you, Whakatū. An honest and heartfelt work that moves, expands empathy and consciousness and invites us to explore new perspectives of being.
With a powerhouse creative team, this work features storytelling at its core; a story that will make you laugh, cry, think and feel – one that needs to be heard.
Features Sāmoan, Te Reo Māori, English and NZSL languages.
Supported by: Innit Creative
TICKETING INFORMATION
Two sections have been reserved as priority seating for the Disabled and D/deaf communities, and older people.
One of these sections is at the front of the stalls (downstairs area on the flat) and one is on the stage to the side and back of the performance area.
These sections are reserved to allow audience members that are part of these communities access to connect and celebrate with Lusi Faiva (the lead artist).
Front of the stalls priority seating (downstairs seating on the flat)
The front rows closest to the stage will be reserved with a mixture of theatre seats and spaces for wheelchair and mobility device users. There will also be reserved seats for the D/deaf community near the NZ Sign Language interpreter.
Stage priority seating (accessible via wheelchair lift or stairs)
This will be a combination of chairs, beanbags and space for wheelchair and mobility device users. Access is via wheelchair lift from foyer. These seats will be to the side and back of the performance area, and the lighting state of the show means that the audience seated in the stalls will only see a shadowy silhouette of anyone seated on stage, except when the houselights are up.
Tickets to these sections can be purchased by phoning the Theatre Royal box office on 03 548 3840 (Select 1) or by emailing [email protected]
Ticket Cost
All priority tickets are $24 plus a $2.50 booking fee.
Companion seats are free of charge and can be reserved in the same area.
14+ | Content Warnings | Hearing Assistive Technology Available
Tessa is a criminal defence lawyer at the top of her game: defending, cross-examining, playing to win. But when the tables turn, she finds herself at the mercy of this system. After West End and Broadway seasons, don’t miss this exceptional Aotearoa production during its national tour.
Something has to change.
A criminal defence lawyer at the top of her game, Tessa is playing the rules of the law to win. But when the tables turn, she finds herself at the mercy of the very system that she has dedicated her life to. Shadows of doubt are illuminated, making us question, who is our legal system serving?
Turning our courts of law into a different kind of stage, this sharp, witty and gripping one-woman show written by Suzie Miller had sold out shows throughout Australia, the West End, and Broadway. This phenomenal production starring Mel Dodge (Miss Brontë) and directed by Lyndee-Jane Rutherford (Rants in the Dark) continues an urgent conversation for Aotearoa.
Winner of The Olivier Award for BEST NEW PLAY 2023
“This play is the reason you go to the theatre” — Courier Mail
“An urgent and compelling work… run, don’t walk” ★★★★★ — Time Out
Audience Care: Prima Facie deals with the important theme of sexual assault and how the legal system deals with these cases. A sexual assault is described within the play. The actor is fully clothed at all times. The scene is stylised and will be treated with sensitivity. There are court scenes including the character Tessa taking the stand as a witness. Visit https://safetotalk.nz/ for help to do with sexual harm.
Presented by Kavanagh Productions and BRAVE Theatre.
Supported by: RMF
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.
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.
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.
From Stromboli to D’Urville Island
Martine Baanvinger brings another powerful, passionate and dynamic solo show to the stage. Red Heavens portrays the true story of Angelina Moleta, a pioneering Italian immigrant whose fate is intertwined with the forces of nature, a bitter family feud and her deep connection with Wetekia Ruruku Elkington, a high-born Māori woman.
This dynamic play is inspired by the book Angelina by New Zealand author Gerard Hindmarsh.
Followed by Q & A with Gerard Hindmarsh and the actor.
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 ★★★★★
When Caryl Churchill wrote Vinegar Tom in 1976, she said, "I wanted to write a play about witches with no witches in it; a play not about evil, hysteria and possession by the devil, but about poverty, humiliation and prejudice, and how the women accused of witchcraft saw themselves."
The play examines gender and power relationships through the lens of 17th-century witchcraft trials in England.
The play's title comes from the name of one character's pet cat, supposed to be her familiar spirit, likely inspired by the supposed imp of a woman tried and executed for witchcraft in Essex in 1645.
Esteemed and award-winning local director Anton Bentley says, "While it's set in the 17th century, the themes are as relevant today as they were then. It highlights female struggles in the past and modern day, in an engaging and accessible way, juxtaposed with modern songs."
R15. Contains adult themes. Some scenes may be confronting and shocking for some viewers.
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.
