New Zealand's sexiest and most successful comedy of all time is about to get its gear off again, in a nationwide tour this September and October!

This hilarious new production of Ladies Night promises to be this year's funniest night out as these real Kiwi blokes dare each other to put on a male strip show, after falling down on their luck and needing some extra cash. A spur of the moment idea rapidly becomes a reality as the venue is booked and the seats sold.

With the terrifying prospect of actually having to strip in front of the public only moments away, Craig, Barry, Norm, Wes and Gavin set about transforming themselves from beer belly to Six Pack.

Follow them on their journey as they get to grips with the finer points of seduction, stripping and the perfect wax job. Think Magic Mike with a double shot of Kiwi humour.

LADIES NIGHT will feature New Zealand’s hottest actor, Mike Edward (Shortland Street, Power Rangers, The Brokenwood Mysteries, Spartacus) as head stripper Barry and Mark Wright (Shortland Street, Power Rangers) as Bernie the sleazy nightclub owner.

Playing the role of Barry sees Mike come the full circle, his career launching in 1993 with an appearance in Ladies Night 2 – plucked from relative obscurity as a muscle-bound decathlete with an interest in the stage.

Mike, who has headed up the Dust Palace circus theatre for the past 15 years, says he can relate to Barry, feeling a little physically broken after years of stunt and aerial work, including stunts on James Cameron’s Avatar, yet still grafting his way in the world.

Written in 1987 by Anthony McCarten and Stephen Sinclair, Ladies Night was a global theatrical hit. The precursor to stage hits like Magic Mike starring hunky Channing Tatum, LADIES NIGHT has been translated into 16 languages and remains New Zealand’s most commercially successful play of all time.

After eight sell-out tours of Britain, it went on to win The Molière Prize, France’s premiere theatre award for comedy, in 2001.

R16

The outspoken Lizzy Bennet is determined to never marry, despite mounting pressure from society. But can she really resist love, especially when the impossibly aggravating Mr. Darcy keeps popping up at every turn? Literature’s greatest tale of latent love has never felt so theatrical, or so full of life than it does in this hilarious adaptation. Because what turns us into greater fools than the high-stakes game of love?

This delightful, hilarious, and audacious adaptation has something for everyone, whether you're a die-hard Austen fan or experiencing the story for the first time. With humor, heart, and a whole lot of romance, this effervescent adaptation is sure to leave you swooning!

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!

Jo and Tom Macbeth are experienced professional actors who have a reputation as Shakespearean specialists. It is the opening night of a production of Macbeth, 30 minutes before curtain up. In the dressing room, something major has happened. Not great timing.

Crisp, sharp dialogue, revelations and discoveries on both sides provide moments of emotion, accusations and crackling synergy. With a crisis just before the interval, disaster seems imminent. The second half is filled with every actor's nightmare - being in the wrong play at the wrong time, especially when Taika Waititi is in the house casting for his Amazon-funded film version of the Shakespearian tragedy.

Enjoy a rollercoaster ride of comedy, drama, poignancy and explosive conflict, as these two stage dynamos reveal the highs and lows of partnerships, on and off the stage. Mr & Mrs Macbeth of Dodson Valley Road will appeal to all, including people who hated Shakespeare at school.

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.

Sponsored by NBS and Nelson City Council

IMPORTANT NOTE: Late comers won’t be admitted past a certain point in the show and will not be entitled to a refund. So please, please, please be on time.  Sorry about the tough love but, honestly, you won’t want to miss a second!

DURATION: 80 mins, no interval

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This comedy celebrates an unsung hero and tips the modern office on its head. In a toe-tapping twist there’s a different choir on stage every night, but none have read the script. Featuring contemporary hits from Aotearoa, India and a fresh take on classic tunes, this hilarious drama is elevated by the beauty and power of people harmonising in song.

The computers are down and the big boss in India wants the impossible. A hapless middle manager, his unhelpful assistant and their chorus of office workers are making a mess of things. Which isn’t good news for the cleaner.

Workplace hierarchies are shattered, class and culture clash and from the chaos emerges a different way to value one another.

Born out of a collaboration with choral master John Rosser and leading choir Viva Voce, and featuring over 20 people on stage, Indian Ink take things up an octave in their biggest show ever.

The company’s award-winning creative team continue to weave their magic. Jacob Rajan zooms in for a very special guest appearance, Justin Rogers returns following his brilliant performance in Mrs Krishnan’s Party and is joined by rising stars Tessa Rao and Catherine Yates.

Don’t miss this world première that finds joy in the eternal toil of work.

TWO SPECIAL OFFERS

LITTLE INDIA
Little India is a great before or after show dining option, and we've teamed up with them on two special offers.
1. Diners at Little India will receive a discount code, giving them $5 off Adult & Senior tickets.
2. People with Full Price tickets for any of the Nelson Dirty Work performances will receive a free plain naan with their dinner, between 17 and 24 July.

WINDOW CLEANING
Thanks to the Theatre Royal cleaners, YNOTTONY, all ticket holders will go into the draw to win $100 towards a window clean by YNOTTONY.

This story of Heidi, the little orphan girl who brings new hope to everyone her life touches, glows even more endearingly today than it has for generations. The way Heidi brings her gruff, old hermit grandfather back into the world and helps Clara, the invalid child, find health and happiness portrays the charming sentiment of the old world.

Heidi would say that everyone will love seeing this beautiful story brought to life on stage - and Heidi wouldn't lie.

Nelson Youth Theatre Company presents Heidi along with other short plays featuring young local talent.