Kia ora!
The Ryman Healthcare 2023 Season is ready to share, and it is something very special. This season represents a bold new vision and direction, delivered through a compelling collection of vibrant, exciting and thought-provoking shows.
We have sought out the best of New Zealand playwriting, complementing these works with brilliant international plays to create Theatre for Aotearoa, delivered locally.
Packed full of bold and compelling productions, we're excited to share this thrilling year of theatre with you. Subscriptions are currently on sale and you can purchase tickets to individual shows from 28 November.
View it all in our online 2023 Ryman Healthcare Season brochure, below.
How Subscriptions Work
Our valued subscribers receive benefits as special as they are, including savings up to 30% on the cost of their tickets. Subscriptions are available through to mid-2023 but, if you subscribe before 6 November, you can book your preferred seats to your 'must-see' shows before tickets go on sale to individual shows.
Design your own subscription package with as few as three plays to suit your theatre thirst this year.
Complete the below form and send it to communications@courttheatre.org.nz to subscribe.
Why Subscribe?
Subscribing to at least three shows means that you receive a range of benefits, which include:
Benefits
NO QUEUES
Avoid the lines - all of your bookings can be made at once and we can either post out your tickets or hold them here for collection at the theatre.
PRIORITY BOOKINGS
You'll get first dibs on your favourite seats, ensuring you're booked in for our sell-out shows. You'll also get the option to renew these seats next season!
GREAT VALUE
Subscribing means you can save up to 30% on the cost of your tickets!
TICKET SECURITY
If you lose your tickets, we can replace them, making sure you keep your reserved seats.
BRING A FRIEND
Invite friends and whānau to join you, with additional tickets available at our discounted earlybird ticket rate.
FREE TICKET EXCHANGE
Plan in advance, but enjoy the flexibility to change your dates once booking is open to the general public.
THE SHOWS
Sense and Sensibility
11 Feb - 11 Mar 2023
Sense and Sensibility follows passionate, emotional Marianne and practical, steady Elinor Dashwood as they balance sensible behaviour and sensitivity, life and love, after their father’s death. A cast of six women create 25 vibrant characters in Penny Ashton’s joyous retelling of this whirlwind journey of romance and sisterhood. (Postponed from 2022).
Rēwena
25 Mar - 22 Apr 2023
Rēwena brings you into the heart of Maggie’s home, an intimate space in which she shares the finer points of making rēwena. Guiding you through more than a recipe – she will take you on a journey through the beliefs, traditions and personal memories baked into the making and eating of bread.
Be Like Billy
25 Mar - 22 Apr 2023
In this new work, Rutene Spooner shares his personal relationship with his childhood hero, Billy T James.
Infused with music and humour, Be Like Billy speaks to our national identity, touching on what being Māori, being a performer and being a Kiwi meant in the 80s, and what it means now.
Appropriate
6 May - 3 Jun 2023
After their father dies, the Lafayette siblings gather at their crumbling ancestral estate to clear out the house for sale. There, they discover the most unexpected of secrets and are forced to confront realities they would prefer had never been revealed.
Appropriate’s audacious and unexpected humour will leave you as open-mouthed as its revelations.
Next to Normal
17 Jun - 22 Jul 2023
On the surface they are the perfect loving family. Underneath it all, they are struggling to navigate their way through life. Despite all the doctors, Diana’s mental health is worsening. Dan’s biggest concern is helping his wife to return to ‘normal’, whilst Natalie just wants to finish high school unscathed. (Postponed from 2022).
The Appleton Ladies' Potato Race
5 Aug - 9 Sep 2023
Returning home after years away, GP Penny Anderson is shocked to discover that the famous Appleton Potato Race awards $1,000 prize money to men… but only $200 to women. Is this small rural community ready for the changes about to race towards it? A punchy comedy about standing up for what you believe in.
Dance Nation
23 Sep - 21 Oct 2023
Somewhere in small-town America, a pre-teen troupe of dancers is ready to claw their way to the top of a national competition. Six adolescent girls and one boy (all played by adults) share their vulnerabilities and desires as they prepare to take the stage.
The Haka Party Incident
25 Oct - 11 Nov 2023
The Haka Party Incident resurrects the eventful day when a group of University of Auckland engineering students rehearsing their annual tradition of a mock haka are confronted by the activist group, He Taua.
The incident sent ripples through the nation and changed race relations in New Zealand forever.
Something Rotten!
25 Nov 2023 - 27 Jan 2024
Playwrights Nick and Nigel Bottom are struggling to find success in the shadow of rockstar-writer William Shakespeare. Thanks to the insight of a cunning soothsayer, Nick learns that ‘the next big thing’ includes acting, singing and dancing, and so the Bottom Brothers set out to write the world’s first musical.
Something Rotten! is full of big musical numbers in which Broadway and the Bard hilariously collide.
Disney's Frozen JR.
3 Jul - 15 Jul 2023
Based on the hit Broadway musical, Disney’s Frozen JR. brings to the live stage the magic that sisters Elsa and Anna experience as they overcome danger, together. This inspiring show includes all of your favourite characters and songs, plus an additional five new songs as a special treat for audiences. (Postponed from 2022).
The Sweet Science of Bruising
9 Aug - 19 Aug 2023
Controlled by men and constrained by corsets, four young Victorian women are drawn into the dark underground world of female boxing. The ring becomes a place where their lives, decisions and futures are in their own hands for the first time.
This knockout drama will be performed by The Court Youth Company.
Jesters' Holiday Show
6 Dec - 23 Dec 2023
You can never be sure exactly what’s in store with The Jesters’ Holiday Show, but one thing is certain – no opportunity to laugh will be spared. Stuffed with secret surprises – both naughty and nice – your funny bone will be shaken and your mirth will be stirred by our festive Jesters.
Cinderella
11 Apr - 22 Apr 2023
Stuck at home doing the chores, Cinderella wishes she could join her stepsisters Beryl and Cheryl at Prince Rupert’s ball. With a little help from her Fairy Godmother, her wishes come true – Cinderella is off to dance the night away… but she must be home by midnight!
Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere
27 Sep - 7 Oct 2023
Adapted from the beloved children’s book The Kuia and the Spider by Patricia Grace, Te Kuia me te Pungawerewere takes you beyond the kitchen to find out what the old lady and the spider are really arguing about.
The Early Early Late Show
3 - 8 Jul; 2 - 7 Oct 2023
The kids are taking over the theatre!
Aimed at seven – twelve-year-olds, The Early Early Late Show is perfect for kids and those who are kids at heart! Our Jesters create interactive school holiday entertainment where audience suggestions will help create hilariously silly scenes, sketches and songs. Fun for the whole family!
Scared Scriptless
Friday Nights 10:15pm
Outrageous Friday night fun! Back for another year, it’s Scared Scriptless.
Using your suggestions, The Court Jesters craft comedic scenes and songs on the spot, meaning that no two shows are ever the same!
Scriptless Attempts
Stay tuned for dates
Love your sci-fi, or hooked on horror?
Our famous Court Jesters use their clever comedy skills in their Attempts of a range of well-loved genres in their long-form improv shows! Will fantasy, medical drama or action be on the playbill? Until they are scheduled, it will have to be… suspense!
How to Subscribe
Complete a form; visit our Box Office between 1:00pm - 5:00pm, Monday to Friday; or call 0800 333 100 to create your subscription.