Latest news with #StewartFamilyTheatre
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Bold, Modern Twist On Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Press Release – The Court Theatre Prepare for a wild ride with Shakespeare's riotous rom-com, where laughter and bewilderment go hand in hand The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre | 9 August – 6 September Shakespeare's Twelfth Night arrives at The Court Theatre next month with all the mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and sharp wit audiences love—brought to life with modern dress, contemporary style, and a spirit of playful mischief. Performed in full Shakespearean text, Twelfth Night is a vibrant rom-com packed with humour, heart, and timeless insights into human nature. The production combines a fast-paced script, an ensemble of dynamic performers, and original music composed by cast member Hester Ullyart, who plays Feste. Directed by The Court Theatre's artistic director Alison Walls, this production is set in a world pulsing with colour, music, and movement—a feast for the senses brought to life by a knockout cast of Aotearoa's finest. 'This is a rom com!' says Dr Walls. 'It remains fresh and pacey. The text offers great freedom in its staging. Illyria can be anywhere that allows you to explore a different version of yourself. Twelfth Night is funny and ridiculous with some real psychological truths at its core.' Audiences will meet twins Viola and Sebastian, shipwrecked and separated, as they navigate a world of disguise, love triangles, and comic chaos. Stranded on the coast of Illyria, the clever and resourceful Viola, separated from her twin brother Sebastian, disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino. As she navigates her new life, she becomes entangled in a whirlwind love triangle where identity, passion, and gender blur and collide. Bursting with vitality and romance, Twelfth Night introduces one of Shakespeare's most captivating heroines, who matches wits with an array of memorable characters, from the lovesick Olivia to the puritanical Malvolio. This play is a rich tapestry of comic courtship, mistaken identities, and fluid romance. With its ingenious central plot involving twins of different genders, and its delightfully funny side plots, Twelfth Night serves up a feast of laughter, poignant moments of grief, and the joy of unexpected revelations. Multiple award-winning actor Victoria Abbott keeps us guessing Viola. After a shipwreck leaves her believing her twin brother has drowned, Viola disguises herself as the young man Cesario—setting the stage for a whirlwind of romantic mix-ups and comic confusion. A creative chameleon herself, Victoria is a writer, performer, director, and clown from Ōtautahi now based in Sydney. She comes fresh from the Australian premiere of Pride and Prejudice, with credits including Top of the Lake, Power Rangers, and Educators, alongside stage work with Pop-Up Globe, Red Leap Theatre, and Auckland Theatre Company. Viola's long-lost twin, Sebastian, is played by Nic Kyle, returning to The Court Theatre with a dazzling international resume. With 18 years of professional work across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the UK, his credits span Savage (The Arts Theatre, West End), Spamalot, and Closer to Heaven in London, to local favourites like Cabaret, RENT, The Music Man, and Kinky Boots. Nic was nominated for Best Actor by Broadway World UK and named 2023 Variety Artists Club Top Male Artist. As the elegant and grieving Countess Olivia, Emma Katene (Ngāti Kahungunu) returns to The Court Theatre following standout roles in The Girl on the Train and Fun Home. Olivia has sworn off love—until she meets Cesario, unaware 'he' is actually Viola in disguise. Playing the lovesick Duke Orsino is James Kupa (Ngāti Kahungunu), a Court Theatre favourite (Murder on the Orient Express, The End of the Golden Weather), with television credits including The Brokenwood Mysteries, Dark City: The Cleaner, and Nothing Trivial. A stellar cast includes: Dan Bain (End of Summer Time, Director) as the raucous Sir Toby Belch Kathleen Burns (End of the Golden Weather) as the mischievous maid Maria Jonathon Hendry (Pike River, Lord of the Rings) as the pompous but pitiable Malvolio Hester Ullyart (A Streetcar Named Desire) as the witty fool Feste and original music composition. Cameron Clayton (Strictly Ballroom, The Musical) as Antonio and the Captain William Burns (SpongeBob SquarePants, Stage Manager) as Andrew Aguecheek and Valentine This Twelfth Night explores gender, identity, and love through a modern lens, balancing laugh-out-loud comedy with aching tenderness and unexpected revelations.
Scoop
17-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
A Bold, Modern Twist On Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
Prepare for a wild ride with Shakespeare's riotous rom-com, where laughter and bewilderment go hand in hand The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre | 9 August - 6 September Shakespeare's Twelfth Night arrives at The Court Theatre next month with all the mistaken identities, romantic entanglements, and sharp wit audiences love—brought to life with modern dress, contemporary style, and a spirit of playful mischief. Performed in full Shakespearean text, Twelfth Night is a vibrant rom-com packed with humour, heart, and timeless insights into human nature. The production combines a fast-paced script, an ensemble of dynamic performers, and original music composed by cast member Hester Ullyart, who plays Feste. Directed by The Court Theatre's artistic director Alison Walls, this production is set in a world pulsing with colour, music, and movement—a feast for the senses brought to life by a knockout cast of Aotearoa's finest. 'This is a rom com!' says Dr Walls. 'It remains fresh and pacey. The text offers great freedom in its staging. Illyria can be anywhere that allows you to explore a different version of yourself. Twelfth Night is funny and ridiculous with some real psychological truths at its core.' Audiences will meet twins Viola and Sebastian, shipwrecked and separated, as they navigate a world of disguise, love triangles, and comic chaos. Stranded on the coast of Illyria, the clever and resourceful Viola, separated from her twin brother Sebastian, disguises herself as a man and enters the service of Duke Orsino. As she navigates her new life, she becomes entangled in a whirlwind love triangle where identity, passion, and gender blur and collide. Bursting with vitality and romance, Twelfth Night introduces one of Shakespeare's most captivating heroines, who matches wits with an array of memorable characters, from the lovesick Olivia to the puritanical Malvolio. This play is a rich tapestry of comic courtship, mistaken identities, and fluid romance. With its ingenious central plot involving twins of different genders, and its delightfully funny side plots, Twelfth Night serves up a feast of laughter, poignant moments of grief, and the joy of unexpected revelations. Multiple award-winning actor Victoria Abbott keeps us guessing Viola. After a shipwreck leaves her believing her twin brother has drowned, Viola disguises herself as the young man Cesario—setting the stage for a whirlwind of romantic mix-ups and comic confusion. A creative chameleon herself, Victoria is a writer, performer, director, and clown from Ōtautahi now based in Sydney. She comes fresh from the Australian premiere of Pride and Prejudice, with credits including Top of the Lake, Power Rangers, and Educators, alongside stage work with Pop-Up Globe, Red Leap Theatre, and Auckland Theatre Company. Viola's long-lost twin, Sebastian, is played by Nic Kyle, returning to The Court Theatre with a dazzling international resume. With 18 years of professional work across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, Germany, and the UK, his credits span Savage (The Arts Theatre, West End), Spamalot, and Closer to Heaven in London, to local favourites like Cabaret, RENT, The Music Man, and Kinky Boots. Nic was nominated for Best Actor by Broadway World UK and named 2023 Variety Artists Club Top Male Artist. As the elegant and grieving Countess Olivia, Emma Katene (Ngāti Kahungunu) returns to The Court Theatre following standout roles in The Girl on the Train and Fun Home. Olivia has sworn off love—until she meets Cesario, unaware "he" is actually Viola in disguise. Playing the lovesick Duke Orsino is James Kupa (Ngāti Kahungunu), a Court Theatre favourite (Murder on the Orient Express, The End of the Golden Weather), with television credits including The Brokenwood Mysteries, Dark City: The Cleaner, and Nothing Trivial. A stellar cast includes: Dan Bain (End of Summer Time, Director) as the raucous Sir Toby Belch Kathleen Burns (End of the Golden Weather) as the mischievous maid Maria Jonathon Hendry (Pike River, Lord of the Rings) as the pompous but pitiable Malvolio Hester Ullyart (A Streetcar Named Desire) as the witty fool Feste and original music composition. Cameron Clayton (Strictly Ballroom, The Musical) as Antonio and the Captain William Burns (SpongeBob SquarePants, Stage Manager) as Andrew Aguecheek and Valentine This Twelfth Night explores gender, identity, and love through a modern lens, balancing laugh-out-loud comedy with aching tenderness and unexpected revelations.
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
KŌPŪ – The Ground-Breaking Production, Opens At The Court Theatre Next Month
Press Release – Sandra Roberts Written by Tuakoi Ohia and directed by Amber Curreen, KP is a ground-breaking theatrical experience that fuses live music, waiata, poi, poetry, and raw storytelling into a vivid series of vignettes. The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre / 16 – 26 July Exploding onto the stage next month at The Court Theatre, KŌPŪ is the fierce, funny, and unapologetically powerful theatre event that celebrates the full spectrum of wāhinetanga — the essence of being a woman. Written by Tuakoi Ohia and directed by Amber Curreen, KŌPŪ is a ground-breaking theatrical experience that fuses live music, waiata, poi, poetry, and raw storytelling into a vivid series of vignettes. This riotous and heartfelt production honours the voices, experiences, and mana of Māori women — from our nannies to our nieces. Premiered in 2023 at Te Pou Theatre, KŌPŪ was born in response to mainstream media coverage of comments made by MP Judith Collins regarding women speaking on the marae — and a desire to see wāhine Māori narratives reclaimed and voiced loudly, proudly, and creatively. 'We wanted to ask the question — who gets to speak on our behalf? Why aren't wāhine Māori voices taking precedence?' says director Amber Curreen. Featuring a powerhouse cast of six wāhine Māori performers — Tuakoi Ohia, Jane Leonard, Brady Peeti, Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana, Te Ohorere Williams, and Te Arohanui Korewha — KŌPŪ is fearless, joyous, and unfiltered. From cheeky kōrero straight from the bedroom to soaring musical moments and stories that cut to the bone, this is theatre that sings, laughs, and demands to be heard. Award-winning whakawahine actor Brady Peeti reflects on her role: 'We will empower wāhine Māori voices by being visible, being loud, telling the truth — even if it makes people uncomfortable.' KŌPŪ is more than a show — it's a reclamation of space, language, and storytelling. With sold-out seasons behind it and a growing national following, this is your chance to witness one of Aotearoa's most vital and exhilarating new works live in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
Scoop
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Scoop
KŌPŪ - The Ground-Breaking Production, Opens At The Court Theatre Next Month
Hairy nipples, haka, and heart — the wāhine of KŌPŪ set to say it like it is! Don't miss this ground-breaking theatrical celebration of wāhine The Court Theatre – Stewart Family Theatre / 16 – 26 July Exploding onto the stage next month at The Court Theatre, KŌPŪ is the fierce, funny, and unapologetically powerful theatre event that celebrates the full spectrum of wāhinetanga — the essence of being a woman. Written by Tuakoi Ohia and directed by Amber Curreen, KŌPŪ is a ground-breaking theatrical experience that fuses live music, waiata, poi, poetry, and raw storytelling into a vivid series of vignettes. This riotous and heartfelt production honours the voices, experiences, and mana of Māori women — from our nannies to our nieces. Premiered in 2023 at Te Pou Theatre, KŌPŪ was born in response to mainstream media coverage of comments made by MP Judith Collins regarding women speaking on the marae — and a desire to see wāhine Māori narratives reclaimed and voiced loudly, proudly, and creatively. 'We wanted to ask the question — who gets to speak on our behalf? Why aren't wāhine Māori voices taking precedence?' says director Amber Curreen. Featuring a powerhouse cast of six wāhine Māori performers — Tuakoi Ohia, Jane Leonard, Brady Peeti, Te Huamanuka Luiten-Apirana, Te Ohorere Williams, and Te Arohanui Korewha — KŌPŪ is fearless, joyous, and unfiltered. From cheeky kōrero straight from the bedroom to soaring musical moments and stories that cut to the bone, this is theatre that sings, laughs, and demands to be heard. Award-winning whakawahine actor Brady Peeti reflects on her role: 'We will empower wāhine Māori voices by being visible, being loud, telling the truth — even if it makes people uncomfortable.' KŌPŪ is more than a show — it's a reclamation of space, language, and storytelling. With sold-out seasons behind it and a growing national following, this is your chance to witness one of Aotearoa's most vital and exhilarating new works live in Ōtautahi Christchurch.
