The Court Theatre has announced its Ryman Healthcare 2022 Season, packed with a wide selection of homegrown and international productions that are not to be missed. This follows on from a successful 2021 season of sell-out shows from Jersey Boys to Frankenstein. 

Year after year The Court delivers performances that Ōtautahi Christchurch and Aotearoa enjoy with a wide variety of productions that feature the best of New Zealand’s theatre talent, as well as stories that engage, excite and sometimes, even challenge how we see the world. 

Chief Executive Barbara George says “Though our world continues to change around us, The Court Theatre remains here for the benefit and enjoyment of our audiences. This season is particularly special as it reflects the significant work of The Court team who take pride in serving and sharing stories with our community.” 

The Court’s Artistic Director Dan Pengelly adds: “In 2022 we’re focusing on creating world-class theatre for EVERYONE to enjoy. There is no limitation to who can enjoy the arts so we’re ensuring there’s something in our incredible line-up for every audience.”

With The Court’s previous season being disrupted by Covid-19, shows Potted Potter and The Māori Sidesteps will now feature as part of the 2022 line-up.

“Although we were not immune to the impacts of COVID-19 in 2021, we did our best to save as many shows as possible. Being able to include some of them in our new season. With these additions, our 2022 season has become The Court Theatre’s most anticipated season yet” Dan continues.

The Court Theatre’s new season kicks off with the Summer Musical and Broadway hit, Little Shop of Horrors, opening on the mainstage on 20 November 2021.

Following on from our Summer Musical, Alison Quigan and Ross Gumbley’s Kiwi comedy, Flagons and Foxtrots, promises a nostalgic feel-good time for all.

Penny Ashton’s Sense and Sensibility is a light-hearted romantic comedy that stays true to the classic Austen novel, with some gentle twists! The mood then changes dramatically with the international blockbuster thriller Girl on The Train, which takes the mainstage in May.

The eagerly anticipated Potted Potter, which sees all seven Harry Potter books comedically ‘potted’ down into 70 hilarious minutes, returns for 2022 after its 2021 postponement. This is followed by the 2010 Pulitzer Prize and three-time Tony Award winning Rock Musical Next To Normal.

Another Kiwi favourite that was saved from the 2021 line-up are The Māori Sidesteps who will bring soulful harmonies, satirical skits and superb song parodies to the mainstage in September. During this time kids (and big kids) can let it go with the international hit Disney’s Frozen JR.

The Court Youth Company return to the stage with the thought-provoking drama Katzenmusik and, to lighten the mood a little, the legendary Court Jesters will also be back with their improvised comedy shows Scared Scriptless and The Early Early Late Show, the latter offering up regular hilarity for young audiences.

The 2022 season concludes with Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which will take audiences on a journey of love, success, heartbreak and female empowerment to the soundtrack of many of her hit songs including “I Feel The Earth Move”, “It’s Too Late”, “You’ve Got A Friend” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman”.

The offerings at The Court Theatre span far beyond the mainstage with our Education Department who run theatrical classes for a range of levels and ages throughout the year, as well as touring education shows which visit schools all over Canterbury.

“Even with such a variety of performances on offer, everything you see at The Court has been produced right here in Aotearoa. Giving the local artistic community the opportunity to contribute, earn a living and be a part of something this special is what keeps The Court Theatre alive” says Dan Pengelly.

2022 also welcomes Ryman Healthcare as The Court Theatre’s brand-new Season Sponsor.

“We are very excited to begin this new partnership with Ryman Healthcare. As another pioneering business that shares a commitment to helping people experience lives that go beyond the ordinary, it feels like the perfect alignment for us” says Barbara George. “The Court Theatre is a company that works to serve and entertain our community, and it’s clear Ryman shares the same values” she continues.

With a brand new Season Sponsor, 2022 is looking bright for The Court Theatre.

“Both 2020 and 2021 reinforced that our priority is always the safety and wellbeing of our artists, staff, show attendees, supporters and wider community. There may have been difficult times, but with the amazing support from our subscribers, supporters, sponsors and Creative New Zealand, we’ve been able to continue to put together a brilliant new season filled with incredible shows for 2022” says Barbara.

There’s something for everyone in the Ryman Healthcare 2022 Season at The Court Theatre. Given the number of sell-out productions in 2021, the incredible shows in the upcoming 2022 season are expected to sell fast. Subscriptions are on sale now from courttheatre.org.nz or come along to one of the Subscription Open Days from 9am – 5pm on 31 October and 1 November 2021. Individual show tickets go on sale 13 December 2021.

You can learn more about The Court’s 2022 Ryman Healthcare Season, including subscription options, here.