The Court Theatre
Hosting in Christchurch
www.courttheatre.org.nz/
Remember you found this company at Infodats
(03) 963087?
Address
Bernard Street. Addington.. 8024, Christchurch, Canterbury.Are you the owner or manager of this company?
What you should know about The Court Theatre
The Court Theatre company was founded in 1971 by Yvette Bromley QSM and Mervyn Thompson who served as Co artistic Directors for the first three years of the company. The first was The Stone Chamber of the Canterbury Provincial Council Chambers April May 1971 , where The Court’s d but production, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was staged. Next was the Durham Street Art Gallery June May 1972 , which was used as an interim venue between the Canterbury Society of Arts vacating the premises and the Law Court expanding into the area. The next four years September February were a period of relative stability.
In 1974, Mervyn Thompson stood down leaving Yvette Bromley as sole Artistic Director until 1975 when Randall Wackrow who had joined the company as Business Manager in joined her as co Artistic Director. In 1976, the company moved to the Christchurch Arts Centre complex, in the buildings which were formerly the Engineering School of Canterbury College. From 1977 to 1978, Randall Wackrow served as sole Artistic Director, standing down in 1979 followed by the appointment of Elric Hooper. Economic pressure saw a fledgling second auditorium, Court Two, closed as a regular venue following the economic slump of the mid eighties although it was to be later revived as The Forge , overall this philosophy was rewarded.
As the new millennium approached, The Court saw growth across the board in audiences, income and acclaim and expanded its company with the introduction of Theatresports to Australasia in the late 1980s and the formation of professional improvisation troupe, The Court Jesters. In 1990, Hooper was awarded the MBE and the 1990 Commemoration medal by the Queen. He retired as Artistic Director in 199 and Catherine Downes served as Artistic Director of The Court Theatre from . Ross Gumbley had been the Associate Director of the company and became the Artistic Director from 2006. Each season contained a mix of New Zealand works, modern international theatre and classics.
It was then used as a hosting venue by touring or independent productions, but since 2007 The Forge was used by the Court for staging challenging international, local and devised works, with an aim of attracting a different audience demographic from its Court One patronage. That was all until the Christchurch Earthquakes which saw The Court Company out of their home of 30 years at the Arts Centren looking for a new space which was found in Addington and is fondly known as The Shed where it is today. The Court Theatre employs professionals from around the country and internationally. It sustains a full time professional staff and is istered by The Court Theatre Trust.
At any one time there can be up to 100 people working full time at The Court Theatre. In addition to being a full time professional theatre company, The Court Theatre operates numerous other activities in the community. The company also produces four school holiday kids’ shows and an annual touring primary school show
In 1974, Mervyn Thompson stood down leaving Yvette Bromley as sole Artistic Director until 1975 when Randall Wackrow who had joined the company as Business Manager in joined her as co Artistic Director. In 1976, the company moved to the Christchurch Arts Centre complex, in the buildings which were formerly the Engineering School of Canterbury College. From 1977 to 1978, Randall Wackrow served as sole Artistic Director, standing down in 1979 followed by the appointment of Elric Hooper. Economic pressure saw a fledgling second auditorium, Court Two, closed as a regular venue following the economic slump of the mid eighties although it was to be later revived as The Forge , overall this philosophy was rewarded.
As the new millennium approached, The Court saw growth across the board in audiences, income and acclaim and expanded its company with the introduction of Theatresports to Australasia in the late 1980s and the formation of professional improvisation troupe, The Court Jesters. In 1990, Hooper was awarded the MBE and the 1990 Commemoration medal by the Queen. He retired as Artistic Director in 199 and Catherine Downes served as Artistic Director of The Court Theatre from . Ross Gumbley had been the Associate Director of the company and became the Artistic Director from 2006. Each season contained a mix of New Zealand works, modern international theatre and classics.
It was then used as a hosting venue by touring or independent productions, but since 2007 The Forge was used by the Court for staging challenging international, local and devised works, with an aim of attracting a different audience demographic from its Court One patronage. That was all until the Christchurch Earthquakes which saw The Court Company out of their home of 30 years at the Arts Centren looking for a new space which was found in Addington and is fondly known as The Shed where it is today. The Court Theatre employs professionals from around the country and internationally. It sustains a full time professional staff and is istered by The Court Theatre Trust.
At any one time there can be up to 100 people working full time at The Court Theatre. In addition to being a full time professional theatre company, The Court Theatre operates numerous other activities in the community. The company also produces four school holiday kids’ shows and an annual touring primary school show
Social media
Services
New Zealand's longest running professional theatre companyThe Court Jesters- professional event solutionsThe Court Supporters- ushers, operating coffee bar, sponsoring productionsThe Court Youth Company- training for young actors
Other users also viewed:
Photos and videos
This business has no pictures or videos
Reviews of The Court Theatre (0)