cinderella

11-13 December

A mischievous interpretation of the Cinderella fairy tale by The Pantaloons. All the familiar characters are there … the beautiful servant girl, pompous prince, Fairy Godmother and Prince-stalking beauties from every corner of the village! And of course there are Cinder’s two ugly step-sisters with a whole lot of medieval attitude! Will Cinders find her man, or will this hideous pair spoil her magical plans? Join the chaos and hilarity as we all embark on a fun fairy tale ride.

Nutcracker

7-8 December

The Nutcracker brings to life the spirit of a wonderful Christmas party. Tarrant Dance Studio’s young dancers bring their talents to the stage to tell this traditional story. Enjoy Tchaikovsky’s famous melodies… come and share the magic!

Mr McGee & The Biting Flea

15-16 OctOber & 4-19 november - Schools Season

Pamela Allen’s children’s books have delighted generations of readers, and now her tales are brought to life in the New Zealand premiere of this theatrically acclaimed production by Capital E’s National Theatre for Children. As huge packing cases open, new worlds emerge, filled with quirky characters and stories. This wonderful production features adaptations of Pamela Allen’s stories ‘Mr McGee’, ‘Alexander’s Outing’, ‘Belinda’, ‘Brown Bread and Honey’, ‘Mary Elizabeth’s House’ and ‘Mr McGee and the Biting Flea’. Prepare to be mesmerised and enchanted.

Playmarket Accolades

17 November

NZ Playwrights Playmarket - He roopu āwhina tito whakaari o Aotearoa is an  Agent / Advisor / Bookshop for New Zealand playwrights. The annual Playmarket Accolades Awards celebrate playwrights artistic contributions and success, enabling our vision: Empowering and representing New Zealand playwrights.

Destination EVERYwhere

9 November

Destination Everywhere arrives at the Hannah... and we’re hauling a train full of talent!
To start your journey, TinyKwyre (Palmerston North) brings a short programme of multicultural wonders. We’ll switch gears, and incidentally genders, to bring the fantastic Harbour Capital Chorus to the stage. They will deliver you songs of wondrous destinations and how to get there! Then the hilarious “Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants” (10dd for short) will take to the stage and bring you tales of many countries (well, at least most of the songs have countries in the title!)

The Keys Are In The MarGarine

12-13 October

The Keys are in the Margarine is a unique form of stagecraft. “Verbatim” or “documentary” theatre is real, mesmerising and truthful. It interweaves hilarity with heartbreak to poignant effect, while providing deep insight into what it means to be human. Dementia and Alzheimers affects many New Zealand families. It’s a condition none of us can ignore. This play is created from interviews with people with direct experience of the disease: caregivers, family members, doctors, and support workers. Their stories communicate the effect dementia has on the lives of people living with the disease and everyone around them.

Mr McGee & The Biting Flea

2-11 October - PUblic season

Capital E’s National Theatre for Children, is bringing back this much-loved collection of tales from popular children’s author, Pamela Allen. Using an assortment of props and found objects, the three performers bring the tales to life. This wonderful production features adaptations of the stories ‘Mr McGee’, ‘Alexander’s Outing’, ‘Belinda’, ‘Brown Bread and Honey’, ‘Mary Elizabeth’s House’ and ‘Mr McGee and the Biting Flea’.

Chinese Song Contest

24 September

The Chinese song competition is organised by the Confucius Institute at Victoria University of Wellington to encourage interest in Chinese language and culture among New Zealand students and to give them an opportunity to showcase their awesome singing talents. The Grand Final is held during New Zealand Chinese Language Week, providing finalists an opportunity to perform on stage.

Why So Serious?

12 September

After selling out his debut Australian tour in 2018, and selling out his Debut Perth Fringe Festival, Debut Adelaide Fringe Festival & Debut Melbourne International Comedy Festival in 2019, Isaac Butterfield returns to the stage for his brand new hour of unfiltered and raw social observations of the society we live in today. 'Why So Serious?' explores the political correct culture of our ever so changing world - from the good, the bad and the ugly; Butterfield doesn't hold back!

RIGOLETTO

23-31 August

"Eternity Opera’s production was first rate – professional, accomplished and earnest. The cast and orchestra were excellent and four leads were exceptional. It deserved its standing ovation." Stephen Gibbs, DMS Review. Eternity Opera Company brings opera productions to Wellington audiences that can be enjoyed by everyone – from opera fans to first timers. The company’s aim is to stage productions that are exciting and accessible to everyone. The productions are sung in English, while keeping the quintessential things that makes opera great.

POWERHOUSE

16 August

Powerhouse vocalist Ella Monnery returns to Wellington to debut her tribute to the defining divas of the last five decades, in a 70-minute concert that re-imagines and respects the pillars of powerhouse vocals. Icons and legends: Whitney Houston, Celine Dion, Tina Turner, Aretha Franklin and Donna Summer. Featuring supporting vocalists Greer Perenara, Moana Leota and Kree McMillan. POWERHOUSE is co-produced by Ella Monnery and Ben Emerson (WITCH).

Voices of the World

1 August

Stroma New Music Ensemble bring a rich collection of works inspired by non-Western musical traditions from around the world, including the unforgettable song cycle, Luciano Berio’s Folk Songs, sung by outstanding New Zealand soprano Bianca Andrew, and the world premieres of works by Celeste Oram/Rob Thorne and John Psathas, featuring the violin of US virtuoso Keir GoGwilt and the taonga puoro of Rob Thorne and Alistair Fraser.

narukami Taiko- Journey

27 July

Taiko is the art of Japanese ensemble drumming, evolved from ancient traditions and infused with modern jazz and cross-cultural influences.Celebrate the journey that is Narukami Taiko. From one woman's dream of unity, inclusiveness, and the desire to just play drums with friends, to Wellington’s largest performance taiko team. This concert is a showcase of the taiko spirit that reaches out and grabs you with the sound of drums.

Suor Angelica & Gianni Schicchi

19-21 July

World’s collide with life-changing consequences in this double-bill of mini-masterpieces by Puccini. The operas are transported to the 1970's and set against the potent backdrop of the decade of decadence. The operas feature internationally-acclaimed opera stars Margaret Medlyn as Suor Angelica’s icy Princess and Robert Tucker in Gianni Schicchi’s devilish title role alongside students from Te Kōkī – New Zealand School of Music. Director Jon Hunter is joined Kenneth Young conducting the NZSM orchestra.

Threepenny Opera

22-29 June

In a world where evil goes unpunished, money is corrupt, law is fickle and lowly souls remain on the poverty line, roams London’s most notorious criminal, Mackheath ‘Mack the Knife’. Macheath is eventually caught and taken to the gallows. Will he hang, or will society offer him an escape? This Wellington Repertory Theatre production is a play with music by Bertolt Brecht & Kurt Weill; based on Elisabeth Hauptmann’s translation of John Gay’s The Beggar’s Opera. A portion of proceeds from the season were donated to the Wellington Homeless Women’s Trust.

The Māori Sidesteps

13-15 June

Jamie McCaskill, Cohen Holloway, Erroll Anderson and Regan Taylor, are The Māori Sidesteps and present an evening of song parodies, stunning harmonies and theatrical play as they breakdown the social idioms that we are presented with in society today and deliver a fresh and enlightening perspective on what it’s like to be Māori in 2019. The Māori Sidesteps will have you in stitches as they entertain with the comedic nostalgia of Billy T James and the musicality of The Howard Morrison Quartet. Part of the Kia Mau Festival 2019.

Cellfish

11 - 15 June

A wickedly dark comedy. Eight counts of unlawful entry using imagination, five counts of reckless use of Maori mythology, four counts possession and cultivation of Shakespeare, and one count dangerous operation of a voice class. This wicked dark comedy explores the lives of a unit of hardened inmates at a men’s prison. Starring highly acclaimed actors Jason Te Kare and Carrie Green, Cellfish gives agency to the voiceless. A Taki Rua production and part of the Kia Mau Festival 2019.

Pōhutu

6-8 June

Rāmari Rangiwhiua Morrison was born in Te Whakarewarewatanga-o-te-ope-tauā-ā-Wāhiao, Rotorua. At the age of 88, she now has Alzheimers. Whakarewarewa is situated on a double fault line and is home to Pōhutu; the Southern Hemisphere’s largest active geyser. Pōhutu draws parallels between Rāmari's shapeshifting mind and the restless landscape of Whakarewarewa; the whenua she was born from and will return to. Part of the Kia Mau Festival 2019.

Shel We?

1-2 June

Inspired by the works of renowned American writer Shel Silverstein, Shel We? is an invitation. An enchanting, playfully intriguing and visually stunning dance show. Award winning choreographer Tupua Tigafua is a highly accomplished dancer and one of the most ingenious storytellers of this generation. He has masterfully created his own dance style. Part of the Kia Mau Festival 2019.

Where Sea Meets Sky

30 May

An evening of contemporary art music inspired by sea and sky. Stroma New Music Ensemble will take you on an evocative evening of chamber music evoking the sea and sky. Sometimes quiet and contemplative, other times tempestuous and stormy, Stroma performs six works from around the world that are inspired by the natural environment.

The Ultimate Drag Supershow

3 - 4 May

The Ultimate Drag Supershow is back, back, back again and the show is bigger and better than ever! Serving you looks for your nerves, performances to snatch your wigs and music to lip sync for your life for later! Kelly Fornia is bringing a star studded line up of Wellington's top Drag performers! A lip sync extravaganza - performing all your classic and modern drag hits that you'll want to dance in your seat too!

dance nimble soles

29 ApR

“You’re wearing dancing shoes with nimble soles,” says Romeo in Romeo and Juliet. In Shakespeare’s plays, dance has often been part of the performance, from swordfights to jigs. So the Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) is leaping into 2019 with Dance Nimble Soles. This mixed bill incorporates many dance forms, and is a true fusion of art forms.

Peter Pan

24-26 ApRil

Take a fairy tale flight to Neverland in the swashbuckling family adventure Peter Pan as it swoops into the Hannah Playhouse for another unmissable Pantoloon production. Join our high-flying hero as he transports Wendy on an adventure she will never forget, packed full of evil pirates, Lost Kids, a very hungry crocodile and the meanest pirate in Neverland, Captain Hook! With barrel-loads of laughter, a ship-full of magic and fairy dust and plenty of fun for kids and adults alike!

Alice in Wonderland

7 & 10 April

Falling through a rabbit hole, Alice meets magical creatures both strange and mysterious on her adventure to find her way home. Melbourne City Ballet’s Michael Pappalardo (Artistic Director) and Brendan Bradshaw (Artistic Associate)  pay homage to the well known novel by Lewis Carroll.

The Goblin Market

27 - 30 March

The Dust Palace celebrated their 10th year with this delicious circus precariously balanced with gritty performances and candid storytelling. Spring-boarding from Christina Rossetti’s iconic poem ‘Goblin Market’, the show is a contemporary circus retelling following two sisters, their temptation, sacrifice and eventual salvation.

Black Dog

18-22 March

Black Dog is a story of friendship and love, based on the best-selling illustrated book by New Zealander Pamela Allen. Christina and Black Dog live together in a little cottage on the edge of a forest. Black Dog is left more and more on his own as Christina becomes fascinated with a beautiful bird that she only thought she could see. A beautiful story about the love of a dog for his best friend. Part of the Capital E National Arts Festival.

Swamp Juice

9 - 16 March

Bickering snails, neurotic snakes and a cranky man chasing a bird: welcome to a swamp like no other! Using shadow puppets made from bits of rubbish, Bunk Puppets creates a gurgling adventure about life in a swamp with a spell-binding 3D shadow puppet finale. Watch out for the jellyfish! An award-winning show that has warmed critics and delighted audiences around the world. Part of the Capital E National Arts Festival.

Stack That Bass

6 - 7 March

Stack That Bass is the bass-heavy circus brain child of four acrobatic friends from Aotearoa New Zealand. With a live DJ, slick comedy infused with acrobatic antics, nail-biting chair balance, explosive juggling and gut-wrenching aerial beauty, It’s a celebration; the anticipation before the beat drops, the leap of faith and it is the euphoria of success… A kiwi-as devised circus and live electronic music mashup featuring original music from Ed Zuccollo (Trinity Roots/Rhian Sheehan/Zuke) and creative facilitation from Geoff Gilson (The Dust Palace).

The Burlesque Masquerade Ball

2 March

10th Anniversary Ball! Top talent and a live band... The annual Burlesque Masquerade Ball showcases top talent from around New Zealand and internationally in one action packed night. A high-class revue bringing you a wide variety of talented performances such as burlesque, circus, cabaret, dance troupes, salsa, comedy and more! There are amazing prizes for Best Dressed, there will be a live band playing so guests can dance at the ball. Dust off your ball gowns and tuxedos, this will be a night to remember!