10 February 2022

Due to the Red light Covid-19 setting and the presence of omicron in our community, we have made the difficult decision to postpone Next to Normal until the 2023 season.

Although audiences of up to 100 are currently permitted, this is not viable for us, especially when sickness or isolation of cast and crew members are quite likely to occur, closing the show at a few hours’ notice. To minimise risk to our audience members, cast and crew, staff and wider community, and to ensure that this Pulitzer Prize-winning musical has the full audiences it deserves, we believe rescheduling it to 2023 is the best option.

We know that this is disappointing news, especially for those of you have received other postponement notices from us recently. However, we are glad to be able to offer you the opportunity to still see this truly wonderful play in 2023.

We very much appreciate your patience through what have been a couple of uncertain weeks and hope that we can welcome you back to The Court, safely, very soon.

4 February 2022

The Red level of the Covid-19 Protection Framework (the ‘traffic light’ system), which came into effect 12:00am, 24 January 2022, changes the maximum number of people allowed at indoor and outdoor events to 25 people (without a requirement for vaccination passes) and to 100 people where vaccination passes are required.  

Our new season was due to open on 19 February, but now we have to take into account the likely impact of the Omicron variant on our audiences, cast, crew and staff and its incredibly transmissible nature.

Indications are that this period of extreme uncertainty is likely to last some time. In order to minimise risk and provide time and opportunity for people (our cast and crew as well as audiences) to be boosted and children vaccinated, we cannot currently operate as usual. Although audiences of up to 100 are permitted, this is not viable for us. Given that many people are likely to catch omicron, sickness or isolation of cast and crew are not just a possibility, but a probability, and one which could close the show at a few hours’ notice.

For all of these reasons, we have made the following decisions:

MAINSTAGE SHOWS POSTPONED
  • Flagons and Foxtrots. This play will now not be staged in February and March as originally intended.
  • However, we are committed to staging this wonderful play later in 2022. On 24 January we welcomed the cast and crew of Flagons and Foxtrots and rehearsals and preparation for the staging of this play continues. This means that it can return to the stage safely in the near future.
  • Sense and Sensibility. We have looked at our situation from many angles and have concluded that Sense and Sensibility will better get the premiere and audiences it deserves by moving it to the 2023 season.
SCARED SCRIPTLESS

Whilst groups of 100 can still gather, we believe that it is the best interests of our audience, performers and wider community to suspend our weekly performance of Scared Scriptless. At present, it is unlikely that there will be any live Scared Scriptless shows for the foreseeable future.

Education
  • Our education classes, which comprise less than 25 participants, will continue and protocols to minimise risk will be in place.
  • Our tutors are fully vaccinated and will be wearing masks. We can ensure social distancing in class and suggest that when dropping off children, parents don’t enter the building unless necessary.
  • For participants, we strongly encourage mask wearing
  • As usual, for those over 12 years and three months old, a valid vaccination pass will be required.
  • We will continue to follow relevant Government and Ministry of Education guidance.
Jesters and Corporate Hosting

Off-site hosting and engagements will be handled on a case-by-case basis in discussion with the external client.

Box Office Operations

As always, we commit to rebooking, crediting or even refunding shows if this becomes necessary.

Box Office services continue to be available as usual. You can contact us by emailing communications@courttheatre.org.nz or calling our Box Office on 0800 333 100.

It is best not visit us but, if you do need to, requirements for entry (not coming to The Court if you feel unwell, scanning the Q code, wearing masks and presenting a valid vaccination passes) remain unchanged.

We understand that this information may be disappointing or frustrating to some of you; we share those feelings. However, this course of action enables us to continue to prioritise the wellbeing of every person who interacts with The Court Theatre, and to continue functioning as a viable business and valuable contributor to our community.

We ask for your patience and thank you for your continued support.

More Information
  • You can find more information about how The Court Theatre operates under Covid-19 Protection Framework here
  • You can find out more information about the New Zealand Government’s advice for Life at Red here.
  • You can find more information about the My Vaccine Pass here.
  • You can find more information about getting vaccinated or boosted here.