June 3, 2025

AWARD-WINNER “KICKS YOU IN THE HEART AND MAKES IT SING”

AWARD-WINNER “KICKS YOU IN THE HEART AND MAKES IT SING” Young playwright Viki Moananu (Vailu’utai, Faleatiu, Tufulele) has taken the top prize in Playmarket’s 2025 Playwrights b4 25 competition supported by Auckland Live, with his play Quitters. Viki’s new play Quitters is a dramedy which ruminates on the guilt and frustration that remains among the living when someone takes their own life. Brutally honest, this fascinating ride leads the audience through grief, sexuality and the New Zealand mental health system.

June 2, 2025

New Dance Editor for Theatreview – and how you can help

The Theatreview Trust is very pleased to announce the appointment of a wonderful new Dance Editor to temporarily fill the critical role of Dance Editor, Nationwide, since Lyne Pringle stepped down in May. The Board extends enormous thanks to Lyne for her dedication and passion for Theatreview's work. Our new Dance Editor is Claire O'Neill in Tamaki Makaurau Auckland.

May 26, 2025

BILLY T AND FRED AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2025 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST

BILLY T AND FRED AWARD WINNERS ANNOUNCED FOR THE 2025 NZ INTERNATIONAL COMEDY FEST After a month of side-splitting shows from the very best local and international comedians, the NZ International Comedy Festival with Best Foods Mayo wrapped up this evening at Last Laughs. After the performances, the New Zealand Comedy Trust honoured the brightest comedy talent of this year’s festival with multiple awards, including the coveted 2025 Fred Award for the Best New Zealand Show in the Festival and the 2025 Billy T Award for a comedian with the most outstanding potential.

May 13, 2025

Dr Kerryn Palmer’s speech at Parliament grounds Tuesday 13 May 2025

Dr Kerryn Palmer’s speech at Parliament grounds Tuesday 13 May 2025 Kia Ora e te whānau. He mihi mahana tēnei  ki a koutou katoa i tēnei. Ko Kerryn Palmer tōku ingoa. The arts are not ‘Nice to haves’. Nice to haves in my opinion are having more than one house to live in, owning a pool, or perhaps receiving more pay than your colleague, who is a woman, while doing the exact same work. The arts are not nice to haves. Performing Arts and Young People Aotearoa have been calling for signatures for our Reinstate The Creatives In Schools Programme since October 2024, after the government unexpectedly axed it, cancelling several projects already in progress, affecting many artists' livelihoods and denying 1000’s of children access to quality arts programmes.

April 13, 2025

24 YEAR OLD TAKES OUT NEW ZEALAND’S TOP PRIZE FOR A NEW PLAY

Playmarket is pleased to announce the winner of the ADAM NZ PLAY AWARD for 2025: Alex Medland for We’re Gonna Kill Billy. At just 24 years old, Alex is the youngest recipient of the award in its 18 year history. The Adam NZ Play Award recognises and celebrates the best in unproduced writing for the theatre. Playmarket Director/Tumuaki Murray Lynch announced the winners at Circa Theatre on 12 April.

April 11, 2025

Squeeze on arts education puts generation at risk

In 2024 the Government declared that arts in education are “nice to haves”. They did so while announcing new mandates of structured literacy and numeracy and delaying (again) a refresh of the arts curriculum. This was followed by further cuts to school arts programmes and the closure of several leading performing arts companies that create work for and with young people. In 2025 performing arts companies are reporting a drop in engagement with schools because they are squeezed for time as they grapple with the changes in the curriculum.

April 11, 2025

SILO THEATRE WELCOMES ITS NEXT ARTISTIC DIRECTOR FOR A NEW ERA 

rom July 2025, Sophie will join Executive Director Tim Blake as a co-leader of Silo Theatre, steering the company’s next four years of programming and feeding into its new strategic direction. Henderson has a long history with Silo, starring in some of its most iconic productions, including The Writer, Belleville, Private Lives, Tartuffe, The Scene, and The Little Dog Laughed. She made her professional debut with Silo in The Ensemble Project in 2007 and has been part of the company’s creative fabric ever since.

April 7, 2025

Renowned actor and theatre director Raymond Hawthorne dies aged 88

Actor and theatre director Raymond Hawthorne has died aged 88. Hawthorne became a member of the country's first major professional theatre company – the New Zealand Players – in 1955, and two years later he was granted a bursary to study at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

March 27, 2025

Dunedin Fringe Award Winners 2025

The Visual Art Award (sponsored by AJ & Adrian Woodhouse): Art at Heart: Kids Exhibition The Dance / Physical Theatre Award (sponsored by Dr Jane Malthus): Only Bones - Daniel Nodder The Comedy Award (sponsored by Inch Bar): Just Eat The Damn Sausage The Music Award (sponsored by Famously Fit Sports Nutrition): SPACE HOLE The Theatre Award (sponsored by WOW! Productions): Babyface Best Poster Award (sponsored by Better Creative): Ah, Jaysus! Outstanding Performance / Performer Award (sponsored by Penny Gwynne): Daniel Nodder (Only Bones)

March 27, 2025

VICTORIOUS PARTNERSHIPS

Shakespeare Globe Centre New Zealand (SGCNZ) needed a new partner when its previous one for 18 years was unable to continue to support its annual Shakespeare Festivals for rangatahi nationwide. How thrilled we were when Te Herenga Waka—Victoria University of Wellington Provost, Professor Bryony James, said that the University is delighted to take on sponsorship of this beloved and enduring annual event, saying, “The University is brimming with alumni of SGCNZ festivals, so this partnership is a natural fit.”

March 21, 2025

STELLAR CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER

STELLAR CAST ANNOUNCED FOR THE END OF THE GOLDEN WEATHER  3 May – 7 June A historic moment for New Zealand theatre: The Court Theatre's grand opening In just six weeks, New Zealand theatre will witness an extraordinary milestone! The Court Theatre, the country’s largest producing theatre company, is set to open the doors to its brand-new home in Ōtautahi Christchurch. To celebrate this momentous occasion, the theatre will stage a classic Kiwi play by one of our most cherished playwrights, featuring a stellar line-up of talent eager to be part of this historic event.

March 14, 2025

NZ FRINGE 2025 AWARDS

NZ FRINGE 2025 AWARDS FULL LIST OF WINNERS Best in Fringe sponsored by Her Worship the Mayor: For You to Know and Me to Find Out

February 12, 2025

Dunedin Theatre Awards 2025 – Finalists

In a statement this week, the Otepoti Dunedin Theatre Reviewers Collective announced the finalists for the 13th Otepoti Dunedin Theatre Awards, to be held on Monday, February 17, from 5.30pm at Te Whare o Rukutia, 20 Princes St.

January 18, 2025

From New Zealand: Dance in 2024

By Jennifer Shennan   It’s always a pleasure to mark the end of the year with a rear vision reminder of the dance highlights we saw. 2024 had the best of the old and the new, with RNZB delivering a triumphant trio of seasons. After some important readjustments into new directions in management, the Company’s year opened with Tutus on Tour’s national itinerary of small venues that Poul Gnatt established back in 1950s. In May, Russell Kerr’s pedigree production of Swan Lake was memorably staged with respect and sensitivity by Turid Revfeim.

December 9, 2024

Celebrating excellence: the Wellington Theatre Awards 2024

The Wellington Theatre Awards 2024 were a night to remember, celebrating not only the artistic achievements of individuals but also the collective spirit of the theatre community. The Opera House buzzed with excitement, laughter and heartfelt applause as winners were announced, stories shared and excellence honoured.

November 24, 2024

PLAYMARKET ACCOLADES 2024

The Bruce Mason Playwriting Award was presented to Leki Jackson-Bourke at the Playmarket Accolades in Wellington on 24 November 2024.

November 23, 2024

The Wellington Theatre Awards 2024

It’s time to celebrate the drama. Announcing the highly anticipated 2024 Wellington Theatre Awards, Ngā Whakarākei O Whātaitai Award Nominations!

October 7, 2024

THE ROYAL NEW ZEALAND BALLET 2025 Season

Prepare for a year of stunning ballet - from traditional favourites to original pieces unique to Aotearoa - as the Royal New Zealand Ballet (RNZB) pushes boundaries with a programme for 2025 that reflects the vision and influence of artistic director Ty King-Wall.

October 3, 2024

Hannah Playhouse new Manager appointed

Following the announcement of the departure of Isobel MacKinnon for pastures overseas, Wellington City Council is delighted to announce Eleanor Strathern as the new General Manager of the iconic Hannah Playhouse. Strathern is a Pōneke-proud and prolific producer, with experience across venues, festivals, and freelance theatre and comedy. She has produced ...

September 24, 2024

Announcing the 2025 Billy T Nominees!

Chosen for their comedic ability, dedication to their craft, and outstanding potential, the Trust is proud to announce the 2025 Billy T Award nominees:

July 5, 2024

Prospect Park Productions – the end of an era

Prospect Park Productions (Ōtepoti / Dunedin) has made the decision to close the company.

June 11, 2024

HANDCUFFS SWINGING AXES AND UBEREATS top prize in Playmarket’s 2024 Playwrights b4 25

Alex kicks off her wildly satirical thriller Becoming Jeff Bezos with a fugitive and a ‘10% off your first purchase’ UberEats voucher. Her play then explodes into madness involving blood, bodies and the pleasures of late-stage capitalism.

June 6, 2024

Exciting new dance festival for Pōneke

Footnote NZ Dance launch the inaugural PŌNEKE FESTIVAL OF CONTEMPORARY DANCE.