Your Visit (2025)

Your Visit 2025

EVENT SPACES / CAPACITY / THEIR FUNCTIONS / LIMITATIONS

Elevate your event at The Court Theatre, the new heart of celebrations.
Looking for a versatile and enchanting venue for your next event? We’ve got just the place.
Located in the heart of the city, our new theatre offers a range of multi-purpose spaces for hire, perfect for a wide variety of functions, events and performances. Whether you’re planning a community event, a fundraising dinner, a cocktail party, corporate gatherings, intimate showcases, business meetings or a private party, we have the perfect setting for every occasion. With state-of-the-art facilities, our home is equipped with the latest in lighting and audio visual technology, ensuring your event is executed flawlessly. Our experienced team is dedicated to helping you every step of the way from initial concept, technical support and catering services to the final curtain call. We provide impeccable service to ensure every function is a resounding success.
All spaces are fully wheelchair accessible.
Contact us now to discuss your requirements and let us help you create an unforgettable event.
Email: events@courttheatre.org.nz
The Friends' Lounge - Up to 37pax
Intimate and cosy, the Friends’ Lounge is perfect for pre-show events with private access to the Stewart Family Theatre
The Foundation Room - Up to 50pax
Facing Cathedral Square and Tūranga library, the Foundation Room offers an exceptional panoramic view of the city for your next gala, cocktail, or business event.
The Ravenscar Lounge - Up to 80pax
With high ceilings, full height windows, private access to The Bard (bar on level one) and spacious balcony overlooking Gloucester Street, the Ravenscar Lounge is ideal for any event or gathering.
The Rātā Foundation Studio - Up to 80 px
A flexible and multi-use space, the Rātā Foundation Studio provides direct, private acess from street level and is ideal for performances, workshops, classes or relaxed gatherings
The Front Room - Up to 200 pax
With up to eight different configurations, The Front Room offers cutting-edge theatre technology and is perfectly suited as an intimate performance space.
The Stewart Family Theatre - Up to 386 pax
For larger scale events, step into our main auditorium. Equipped with the latest sound, lighting, and audio visual systems, the Stewart Family Theatre is designed to bring your vision to life.
OPENING DATE

What is the planned opening date?
Saturday 3 May 2025
What are the contingency plans if there is a delay in opening?
We have a number of different contingency plans and it would depend on the length of delay as to which approach we adopted. We have options that include starting later and reducing the length of a season/s, rescheduling to later dates throughout the year or continuing to perform in The Shed
OPERATING HOURS

Box Office
The Court Theatre’s Box Office is open to visitors and patrons, and is also available by phone and email, between 1pm and 5pm, Monday – Friday, excluding public holidays, as well as from two hours before showtime.

Please email communications@courttheatre.org.nz or phone 0800 333 100 if you have any queries.
PARKING

What parking options are there around The Court Theatre for patrons and staff
There are a wide range of public parking options close to The Court Theatre including Council and commercial spaces. Free on-street parking is also available.
For all parking options please refer to: https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/parking/carpark/
Is there mobility parking spaces available at The Court Theatre?
Yes, there will be designated mobility car parking spaces available at The Court Theatre and in very close proximity. We also expect to have drop off/pick spaces directly in front of the Theatre on Colombo Street.
Visit https://ccc.govt.nz/transport/getting-around/parking/mobility-and-disabled-parking
Bus Routes and Timetables
Visit https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/timetables/
The nearest bus stop is the Manchester Street SuperStop, just a few minutes walk away.
HOSPITALITY

KAI @ THE COURT
Complete your Court Theatre experience with dinner before the show. We have your favourite pizzas, and other Italian inspired eats.
HOT DRINKS
Our team can whip up your favourite hot drink.
FULL BAR
With a comprehensive range of non-alcoholic and alcoholic beverages, don’t forget to grab a drink for that pre-show, interval or post-show catch up.
SNACK BAR
We offer a range of tasty treats, including that essential interval ice cream.
Please note: You cannot take any hot food into the auditorium or bring your own food to The Court Theatre.
SEATING

What seating types are there in the two theatres
The Stewart Family Theatre
The Signature Series is presented in the Stewart Family Theatre and highlights cornerstone pieces that excel on a grand scale. This series features musicals, large cast productions, classic and canonical works, epic dramas, and full-blown comedies.
Stalls
Premium Seats
A - Reserve
High Seats
Restricted
Lower Balcony
Premium Seats
A - Reserve
High Seats
Restricted
Upper Balcony
Premium Seats
A - Reserve
High Seats
Restricted
The Front Room
The City Series is hosted in The Front Room and showcases innovative theatre and exciting new works from Aotearoa New Zealand and around the world, along with more intimate productions. Expect bold and playful performances that might challenge expectations, as well as personal, heartfelt shows with one to three performers that thrive on a closer connection between the audience and the actors.
Ground Level
General Admission (GA) seating
Upper Level
Allocated seating
ACCESSIBILITY AND SHARED EXPERIENCE

MAKING THEATRE ACCESSIBLE
We are committed to guaranteeing that the magic of theatre remains accessible to a wider audience. We will now be offering a wider range of ticket prices for most shows, including a range of accessibly priced tickets.
DISCOUNTED TICKETS
Children, Students with ID, Hāpai, CSC cardholders, Seniors (65+) and Friends of the Court Theatre are eligible for discount prices. Hāpai Access Card holders can book a free seat for their essential companion, including guide dogs.
ASSISTED LISTENING (formerly known as hearing-loop)
A Wi-Fi-based audio streamer is used for assistive listening via Wi-Fi receivers or mobile devices. Device receivers can be collected from the Box Office, or you can download the app. This technology is available in The Stewart Family Theatre, The Front Room and The Rātā Foundation Studio.
RELAXED PERFORMANCES
For our children’s plays, we offer a performance where lighting and sound effects are reduced, and audiences can move freely throughout the theatre. Perfect for those with sensory needs.
WHEELCHAIR AND MOBILITY SEATING
We have seven wheelchair spaces available in the Stewart Family Theatre and multiple spaces in The Front Room. Our friendly ushers are here to help, and you can book seats through the Box Office.
AUDIO DESCRIPTION
For specific performances, we offer pre-show touch tours and audio descriptions provided live via headphones by a trained audio describer.
NEW ZEALAND SIGN LANGUAGE INTERPRETATION
Specific performances have a trained NZSL interpreter based on stage providing real-time interpretation.
SUBSCRIPTIONS
Do the subscriptions work across both theatres?
Yes, they do.
By booking three shows or more you will receive a range of benefits which include:
Click here for more details on subscriptions
What happens if I've booked a ticket to a show, and I need to change the date?
Contact Box Office by email communications@courttheatre.org.nz or phone 0800 333 100 and we'll do our best to accommodate your changes.
What happens if I've bought a subscription and I'm not happy with my allocated seating?
Contact Box Office by email communications@courttheatre.org.nz or phone 0800 333 100 and we'll do our best to accommodate your requests.
USHERS

How do I become an usher?
Become a member of The Friends of The Court Theatre and email friends@courttheatre.org.nz to express an interest in becoming a Volunteer Usher. There may be a waiting list.
PUBLIC TRANSPORT

Bus Routes: https://www.metroinfo.co.nz/timetables/
The nearest bus stop is the Manchester Street SuperStop, just a few minutes walk away.
ENVIRONMENTAL SUSTAINABILITY

The Court Theatre made a pact with our architects Athfields and Haworth Tompkins, and project managers OCTA, to commit to making the new building as sustainable as it could possibly be.
Here is how we have remained true to that pledge:
A timber-based structural system. A significant part of the structure will include wood as both a finish and a structural element. Maximum efficiency energy use.
The thermal envelope of the new theatre will be rated far higher than the New Zealand standards. This ensures lower energy use for the life of the building.
Natural ventilation. Spaces will be naturally ventilated or have mechanically assisted natural ventilation. The two chimneys that rise from the roof allow a natural flow of air though the new theatre, enabling hot air to be purged during the summer, reducing energy usage and providing healthier conditions for those in the building.
Water-use efficiency. Water efficient fixtures will be used throughout the building to align with New Zealand Greenstar water requirements and reduce water consumption.
Working with nature and physics. Ground source heat pumps will be used to heat spaces where people are working, as heat will rise of its own accord.
Accessibility. Wheelchair positions will be available in the auditoriums on all levels and the building will provide facilities that maximise access. The building has been fully peer reviewed to make sure no stone was unturned when it came to accessibility.
Local and natural. Wherever possible local, sustainable and natural materials are being used and natural light will be in abundance
By keeping sustainability and accessibility in mind we are ensuring that the new Court Theatre will responsibly serve the audiences of Ōtautahi Christchurch for decades to come.
FINANCIAL UPDATE

Our move into the new theatre in the city, and the work it enables, is thanks to the generosity of all our donors and their belief in us, along with those who’ve worked future back in the central city of Christchurch.
How can I donate?
Your donations mean that The Court Theatre can continue to be an extraordinary place of live-theatre, education, collaboration and innovation – it is where the magic is made. Every gift – no matter how large or small – is important to the long-term success of The Court Theatre.
Click here for more details
WHAT'S HAPPENING AT THE SHED

Scared Scriptless: Every Fridays at 9pm until 18 April 2025
Rainbow Theatre Festival: Friday 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 March 2025
Education
Term 1 will be in The Shed from 27 January - 11 April 2025
Holiday Programmes will be running throughout the April school holidays - (14 -24 April 2025)

Your Visit 2025

The Stewart Family Theatre

The Front Room