NAU MAI HAERE MAI

We are very pleased to welcome you to 2023 at The Court - a new year and a new start for us all after the last few challenging years.

I am proud to say that The Court has weathered the storms and our unique brand of theatre-making continues to go from strength to strength. If you were able to see RENT before we closed our season - with those last tickets becoming much sought after - then you will know how thrilled we were to bring you such an exciting production, with high energy and exceptional talent, night after night. Sense and Sensibility promises to similarly delight. We welcome the first season by our newly appointed Artistic Director, Dr Alison Walls. While Alison stepped into the role on an acting basis a year ago, the Ryman Healthcare 2023 Season is the first chance we really get to see her vision and direction in full swing, with the exciting array of plays and musicals in the line-up - we hope you will get to as many as you can.

Our efforts to build our new home, in partnership with Christchurch City Council, are also beginning to bear fruit. The builder, Hawkins, is now on site on the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Streets, and our fundraising efforts are right on track to ensure the completion of an exciting new venue for exceptional Theatre for Aotearoa. Over the next few months you will be hearing much more about our future directions and, of course, start to see the new theatre itself take shape.

Once again, grateful thanks to all at The Court and all of our stakeholders and partners for being engaged and energised as we welcome our first production for 2023 by Ōtautahi Christchurch’s very own playwright, Penny Ashton. Thanks to Christchurch Casino for sponsoring this show, and thanks to you for being here and being part of it all.

Ka kite anō

Barbara George Chief Executive / Tumu Whakarae