Theatre meets dance meets song meets the immutable power of Janet Frame’s words in award-winning Red Leap Theatre’s energetic contemporary response to Owls Do Cry.

Surprising, poetic and moving, this show delves into the sumptuous world of Frame and the Withers’ siblings — Daphne, Chicks, Toby and Francie — and their lives in small-town Aotearoa following a family tragedy.

Going beyond a direct narrative staging of the book, Red Leap and director Malia Johnston (WOW, Meremere) have created a multi- disciplinary dreamscape of wonder, filled with Frame’s rich imagery and poetry, and an extraordinary cast including Nelsonian Comfrey Sanders, award-winning choreographer/dancer Ross McCormack, and actor Arlo Gibson of Shortland Street fame.

“I’m left with sheer joy of witnessing image of beauty, light and poetry.” – Pantograph Punch

The last New Zealand war took place in Auckland in 1979.
It lasted three minutes.

The Haka Party Incident resurrects the eventful day when a group of University of Auckland engineering students rehearsing their annual tradition of a mock haka are confronted by the activist group, He Taua. The incident sent ripples through the nation and changed race relations in New Zealand forever.

Crafted by film-maker and theatre director Katie Wolfe, The Haka Party Incident is verbatim theatre that innovatively combines documentary and kapa haka to thrilling effect. Provocative, resonant and unforgettable. A not-to-be-missed landmark theatre event.

Join us 5pm Saturday 23 Oct for a panel discussion inspired by The Haka Party Incident. More details on nelsonartsfestival.nz.

Original season co-presented by Auckland Arts Festival.

An artist arrives at his paint-splattered studio ready to create a new work. He waits for inspiration. When it finally comes, things don’t proceed quite as he would wish. For this artist, every task is filled with challenges — chaos is unavoidable.

Thom Monckton’s The Artist is an incredible feat of physical strength, theatrical skills and comedic storytelling that will have you spell-bound. Get ready to step into the whirlwind mind of a true creative, and be wowed by this artist creating a spectacular experience out of the (seemingly) ordinary.

From Thom Monckton and Circo Aereo — the makers of Nelson Arts Festival 2013’s hit The Pianist — comes a show that really will have the whole family giggling in true delight.

NEW VENUE: Now performing at Nelson Musical Theatre

Ahoy there, me hearties!

Nelson Repertory Theatre and director Hugh Neill bring you all the very best of traditional pantomime with everybody's favourite swashbuckling classic - Treasure Island.

Long John Silver may be a dastardly villain, but he’s reckoned without the Ladies of the Smuggler’s Cove Women’s Institute!

Be prepared to have your ribs and tastebuds tickled on this rollicking and cake-filled pirating adventure!

After breaking touring records in 2019 and following a further sell-out tour of Australia in 2021 with A Taste of Ireland, the all-singing, all-dancing, family-friendly treat, A Celtic Christmas by A Taste of Ireland is set to tour New Zealand in 2022!

Watch two star-crossed lovers twirl beneath the mistletoe as award-winning Irish musicians complement the world’s best Irish Dancers to deliver a heart-warming performance that will leave your feet tapping, eyes shining and your soul wanting more!

Immerse yourself in the magnificence of the traditional Celtic landscape and let the magic of Christmas in Ireland transport you to a world full of excitement and wonder - a world where energetic music and dance embody the beating heart of the festive season.

Featuring a powerful mix of traditional tunes, heartfelt ballads and all your favourite carols, A Celtic Christmas combines incredible red-hot rhythms with jaw-dropping talent in an unforgettable night of storytelling, Irish charm and spectacular entertainment.

Choreographed and produced by multiple National Champion and star of Gaelforce Dance & Rhythms of Ireland, Brent Pace and World Champion and Lord of the Dance Lead Soloist, Ceili Moore, A Celtic Christmas is the star-studded spectacular you won’t want to miss this Christmas season.

“Jingle Jigs, Reels a Treat.” - Ken Longworth – The Newcastle Herald

Summerset Retirement Villages presents Winding Up. 

Barry and Gen may have retired, but these spirited seniors aren’t slowing down.

There’s overseas travel to plan, family feuds to settle, the inevitable health problems, and a friend to bury. As Barry and Gen put the fun into funerals and discover new complications in conjugal relations, Winding Up provides a hilarious testament to the lighter side of the golden years.

With over 40 plays under his belt, from Glide Time and Middle-Age Spread to Four Flat Whites in Italy, theatre legend Sir Roger Hall is thoroughly entitled to rest on his laurels.

Thankfully, he didn’t get the memo: Winding Up showcases Hall in classic form, once again demonstrating his inimitable wit and knowing insight, while comic legends Alison Quigan and Mark Hadlow command the stage

This production of Winding Up was originally produced by Auckland Theatre Company at the ASB Waterfront Theatre in February 2020.

"Join Maggie Taylor as she guides you through basic carpentry skills and chisels away at the stereotype that has kept women out of the toolbox for so long.”

So reads the flyer for The Pink Hammer Workshop, but when Annabel, Helen, Louise and Siobhan turn up, looking forward to learning carpentry skills from a pioneering, female furniture maker, they soon discover their tutor has disappeared – along with their pre-paid fees. They find Maggie’s husband instead; a disgruntled out-of-work builder, who knows nothing about the course, even less about Girl Power and is not impressed to find four sheilas amongst his claw hammers.

Not the sort of women to back down from a challenge, the group convince Woody to teach them the tricks of the trade in this hilarious and heart-warming Kiwi comedy.

Five unhappy people in a shed full of tools. What could possibly go wrong?

"A damn good play. Very funny." – Roger Hall

“The Pink Hammer is Kiwi comedy at its best. It’s quirky as all hell; it’s very funny; it provides phenomenally strong roles for four women – and one guy! – but more than anything else, these are recognisable New Zealanders, which is why this is an outstanding play to produce.”
- Artistic Director, Ross Gumbley, The Court Theatre

EXTRA SHOW ADDED: 2pm Sat 3 July

A play about the ill-fated attempt by Nelson colonists to confront Te Rauparaha and a party of his men at Tuamarina in 1843, in a dispute over ownership of the Wairau.

It was the first major armed clash between Maori and Pakeha in New Zealand, the only one ever in the South Island, and a pivotal point in Nelson’s early history, and indeed, colonial New Zealand race relations.

Written by Justin Eade (Maungatapu), directed by Giles Burton, and featuring Jaemes Peter Churchward, Kiri Naik, Nick Kemplen and Cameron West.

Take a wild ride to paradise with Indian Ink’s powerful new play about impermanence - of life, love…. and ice cream!

This glorious production is inspired by Ernest Becker’s Pulitzer prize winning “Denial of Death,” and the vibrant, life–filled chaos of India’s most cosmopolitan city, Mumbai.

Jacob Rajan delivers a dazzling solo performance as he channels seven characters, weaving the afterlife and a dash of Bollywood disco into the real-life mystery of India’s vanishing vultures.

A man trying desperately to avoid death is flung between limbo and his past where a rebellious young woman holds the key that may guide him to paradise.

Infused with serious laughter, exquisite puppetry and inspired sound design this show is guaranteed to blow your mind and melt your heart.

"Flawless"  Theatrescenes

"A joy to see"  Theatreview