The Court Theatre 2026 season:
A world of stories awaits
We’re delighted to lift the curtain on a programme that promises thrills and chills, laughter and heartbreak, drama and delight. From epic adventures to intimate stories, 2026 is set to be a dazzling year of theatre and community. Please lock in your seats for a season that will surprise, move, and entertain at every turn.
The year begins on 23 January 2026, with The Court Jesters — the longest-running comedy troupe in Australasia, right here in Ōtautahi Christchurch!
Scared Scriptless, improvised by The Court Jesters — where no script survives and every laugh is completely made up on the spot. A masterful MC, an accomplished muso, and some of the country’s funniest actors keep the unpredictability rolling week after week.
Introducing Summer Saturday Scriptless — because one night of improv simply wasn’t enough. Fresh concepts, fresh energy, the same outrageous unpredictability that’s become a Ōtautahi Christchurch favourite.
Then with a with a song or two, as Musical! (The Musical) (12 – 21 February) sees The Court Jesters go gloriously off-book to deliver a completely improvised musical. You provide the title and theme; they’ll make up the rest—melodies, lyrics, and all. It’s chaotic, charming, and utterly unmissable.
The Importance of Being Earnest (21 February – 21 March)— The sparkling comedy of manners by Oscar Wilde. Wit, romance, and delightful absurdity collide as mistaken identities and playful deception spiral into chaotic hilarity.
A celebration of queer creativity and community in Ōtautahi Christchurch awaits us with the Rainbow Theatre Festival (5 – 8 March). Comedians, storytellers, drag artists, and performers light up our stages with bold ideas, beloved favourites, and unforgettable surprises. Families, friends, and anyone ready to celebrate pride are invited to join in.
We then step into riotous black comedy with Marcelo Dos Santos’ Feeling Afraid as if Something Terrible is Going to Happen (14 March – 2 April), a sharp, award-winning story about love, ego, and self-sabotage that will have audiences laughing and wincing in equal measure.
Next, Cindy Diver’s Wahine Mātātoa (18 April – 9 May) takes the stage—a celebration of Kāi Tahu women across time and tide. Witty, wise, and moving, it reminds us that courage and legacy are timeless, connecting one wahine’s choices to those of her fearless ancestors.
Then it’s murder most improvised in Death at Murder Manor (7 – 16 May), as The Court Jesters return with a whodunit that even Agatha Christie couldn’t have written—because she didn’t. With your help, the mystery, motives, and murderer are revealed live each night in a brilliantly improvised comic thriller.
The chills continue as the lights dim for Let the Right One In (23 May – 20 June), Jack Thorne’s visceral adaptation of the acclaimed Swedish novel and film. A haunting, modern-day vampire story about friendship, loneliness, and love, it’s a beautifully brutal coming-of-age tale that lingers long after the curtain falls.
Families can dive under the sea with Disney’s Finding Nemo JR. (7 – 19 July), a splashy, heart-warming adventure performed by talented young artists. With familiar characters, big laughs, and unforgettable songs, this ocean odyssey celebrates courage, friendship, and the magic of finding your way home.
In Victor Rodger’s At The Wake (18 July – 15 August) grief, family, and humour collide when a half-Samoan expat and his formidable grandmother attend a funeral that’s anything but solemn. Packed with biting humour, heart, and chaos, it’s a deeply human story about love, identity, and the baggage we all carry.
The Court Youth Company takes the stage next with two productions in repertory: The Wolves (29 August – 11 September), Sarah DeLappe’s fierce, funny portrait of teenage girls finding their voices on the soccer field, and Alone It Stands (30 August – 12 September), John Breen’s energetic retelling of the legendary Munster rugby victory over the All Blacks.
Teenage rebellion takes centre stage in Mike Lew’s Teenage Dick (12 September – 10 October), a smart, darkly comic reimagining of Richard III set in a modern high school—full of ambition, wit, and heart.
Meanwhile, the younger crowd (and the young at heart) can join Winnie the Pooh: Trouble in Hundred Acre Wood (29 September – 10 October), where The Court Jesters and their audience create a brand-new adventure every performance. With songs, surprises, and honey galore, this interactive show is perfect family fun.
Love gets messy in Heartbreak Hotel (14 – 24 October), created by Eleanor Bishop and Karin McCracken. Equal parts funny and raw, this show combines memoir, science, and music to explore heartbreak in all its forms. You’ll laugh, cry, and maybe text your ex.
And then—the big one. The season’s grand finale, The Pirates of Penzance (20 November – 30 January), brings Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic roaring back to life in a wildly reimagined, actor-musician extravaganza. Five bold performers take on pirates, maidens, and a major-general in a fast-paced, joyously anarchic new adaptation that’ll have you singing all the way home.
Just before Christmas, The Court Jesters unwrap a festive treat with Kiss Me Under the Mistletoe (9 – 20 December), a side-splitting improvised parody of Hallmark holiday movies. Expect tangled romances, small-town charm, and audience-driven twists—all wrapped in fairy lights and feel-good chaos.