hunssen
JB

Upcoming Events


Box Office Hours:
Mon - Fri 9am - 5pm & 1 hour before events
ph 03- 307 2010

We thank you for your support throughout 2011 and look forward to entertaining you again in 2012.

Tickets can  be purchased through Ticket Direct. The link will take you directly to the Ashburton events. http://www.ticketdirect.co.nz/Search/Events?searchText=


Upcoming Events Calendar: 

Sat, 11 Feb 2012
Mundi (Arts on Tour NZ) 

Prepare to be transported!
Inspired by music from the desserts of North Africa, the Amazon basin and beyond, Mundi take you on an unforgettable journey...
Led by virtuoso flautist and composer Tamara Smith, Mundi feature an exciting array of instruments including flute, sax, banjo marimba, voice, bass and percussion.  This original world-music band is not to be missed.
Their music is heard on National Radio. It has been featured on Air NZ playlist, and on Australia’s ABC network.  It has also been showcased on Concert FM’s hour-long show “Global Sounds” and Kiwi FM.
Mundi’s original music is a synthesis of many global colours and influences.  It takes the listener on a musical journey, traversing landscapes rich with texture and surprise; allowing them to experience, through their own imagination, other worlds. www.mundi.co.nz or http://www.aotnz.co.nz/aotnz_SneakPreview.html for a sneak preview.

Tickets: $25, $20 each for 2 or 3, $15 each for 4 or more; All Door Sales $25 
Concert: 7.30pm

Wed, 22 Feb

Jackie Bristow and Band

Singer /songwriter Jackie Bristow is a southern girl at heart.  Born and raised in the South Island of New Zealand this kiwi has found her wings. Beautiful songbird that she is, Jackie has flown halfway around the world with nothing more than her guitar and a dream.  Inspired by her music teacher, Jackie began singing in choir at age 8 in Gore. Encouraged by her grandmother, Jackie sang with her sister Katrina, The Bristow Sisters were seasoned pros by the time Jackie was 14.

Bristow is a fantastic live performer and floored the audience supporting Madeleine Peyroux in New Zealand.  Since living in Austin Jackie is a regular performer at the One World Theatre where she has performed the pre concert shows for Ricky Skaggs and Rodney Crowell, Jerry Jeff Walker and Richie Havens. 

Jackie's songs have been used repeatedly in Australian and New Zealand film and television hit shows such as The Secret Life Of Us, Home And Away, Outrageous Fortune, Shortland Street, and Go Big. 
At once heartfelt and sophisticated, Jackie Bristow combines subtle but beautiful melodies that hook and hypnotise the listener.
Lovers of finely crafted tunes combined with perfectly delivered vocals should definitely listen up." - The Press, New Zealand
More info on www.jackiebristow.com

Tickets: Adult $29, Senior/ Secondary Student $25, Family ( 2 adults/ 2 children) $90 (incl fees)

Sat,25, Sun 26, Mon 27 Feb

Hanussen-The Palace of Burlesque
Loons Theatre Company 

Welcome to 1920s Berlin.
The Loons Circus Theatre Company (who brought you The Butler circus theatre show in 2011) is bringing the wildly popular "Hanussen - the Palace of Burlesque", formally "Berlin Burlesque''- the sell-out shows from the Nelson and Tauranga Arts Festivals 2011..
Hanussen - the Palace of Burlesque is a raunchy night full of circus, song, theatre and mayhem performed by The Loons Circus Theatre Company with live accompaniment from Carmel Courtney and band.
The show is a visual extravaganza that uses original projection of 1920s Berlin and combines the words of Joe Bennett and the skills of circus and theatre.  The Ashburton Event Centre will be transformed into a cabaret venue complete with catwalk, extravagant lighting, sound, live four piece band and visual effects.
Mentalist, entrepreneur, and lover of women Erik Jan Hanussen is the inspiration for the compelling storyline which is infused with astonishing circus skills, engaging theatre, and topped off with some fantastic
live music. Berlin Burlesque is a must- see show.
Strictly limited season. Warning – R16 show: this show contains nudity and adult themes.
Tickets: Adult $49, Student $27, Groups of 10 + $44 (incl Fees)
Show time: tbc

 

Thurs, 8 March 2012
Fiona Pears (Arts on Tour NZ)

Violinist and Composer Fiona and her talented band will perform music ranging from hot sizzling gypsy swing, beautiful soulful classical and jazz ballads right through to passionate tango and Celtic compositions. Fiona has been performing internationally during the last decade (as well as several concerts in Ashburton). Highlights include appearing at the legendary Ronnie Scott’s Jazz club in London and performing her own compositions with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra. www.fionapears.com

Tickets: $25, $20 each for 2 or 3, $15 each for 4 or more; All Door Sales $25 
Concert $7.30pm

Fri, 9 March

Soul Food Tour - An evening with Kelvin Cruickshank

Gifted Psychic medium Kelvin Cruickshank acts as a bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds, offering closure to those who never had the chance to have that final goodbye.
  With the outstanding success and popularity of the award winning series Sensing Murder, Kelvin has been literally swamped with people wanting to see him.  For this reason, he has decided to introduce a series of exclusive evenings that will help to reach out and touch more people at once.  These evenings will simply be Kelvin working with spirit, and sharing his knowledge of life after death.  Kelvin will read as many people permitted by spirit per session.
Visit Kelvin's website at www.kelvincruickshank.co.nz
 
Tickets all $67 (incl fees) 
Show: 7pm

14 + 15 March 2012
NYC

Three Short Ballets from the Big Apple performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet

An opportunity to enjoy contrasting ballets conceived and created in New York City. From works by the city's hottest young choreographers, Larry Keigwin and Benjamin Millepied, to a Balanchine classic inspired by Gershwin's legendary songs, this exceptional programme will excite audiences throughout New Zealand.

Balanchine's Who Cares? is a tribute to his friend George Gershwin. The title song is just one of many classic favourites - Embraceable You, That Certain Feeling, I've Got Rhythm - making this exuberant Manhattan ballet unmissable.

CHOREOGRAPHY George Balanchine
MUSIC George Gershwin
MUSIC ARRANGEMENT Hershy Kay


The performances of Who Cares, a Balanchine® Ballet, is presented by arrangement with The George Balanchine Trust and has been produced in accordance with the Balanchine® Style and Balanchine® Technique Service standards established and provided by the Trust.
The worldwide copyrights in the music of George and Ira Gershwin for this presentation are licensed by The Gershwin® family.

28 Variations on Theme by Panganini. A chance to see the intricate and dynamic work of Black Swan film choreographer, Benjamin Millepied, live. Five men and five women perform this classically inspired ballet to Brahm's exquisite piano music.

CHOREOGRAPHY Benjamin Millepied
STAGING John Gardner and Amanda McKerrow
MUSIC Johannes Brahms


To complete the trio, the company performs the world première of a newly commissioned work and score by one of New York's most dynamic young choreographers. Larry Keigwin brings creativity and star quality to his choreography from off-Broadway shows to the opening event of New York's Fashion Week produced by Vogue. Larry's own company, KEIGWAN + COMPANY, performs at the Joyce Theatre, NYC and in festivals and venues throughout the USA.

CHOREOGRAPHY Larry Keigwin
MUSIC Adam Crystal

Tickets: Adults from $40.00, Child from $35.00, Concession/Students/ Groups from $36.00
Performances: 7.30pm

Sat, 17 March
The Abba Show

Showtime Australia
Tickets: $51, Child under 12 $27 (incl fees)
Concert: 8pm

Wed, 28 March
“Politically Incorrect Parenting – The first decade”

Parenting the 0-10's

In this hugely entertaining one-man show Clinical Psychologist and best-selling author Nigel Latta takes the audience on a ride that’s not for the faint-hearted. With his utterly unique blend of off-the-wall humour and battlefield wisdom he shares insights gained from working with some of New Zealand’s most gifted and most troubled kids.
If you ever want to know how to raise kids and stay sane, then this is the show for you. It is possible to raise children without going crazy, but you do need to know the tricks.
Come along and be regaled with stories of grumpy trousers, fussy eaters, and restless sleepers. What's more he will also tell you about the ten principles for raising good kids, talk about his innovative behaviour management tool called "the Ladder of Certain Doom", and will tell you all manner of interesting things about sharks, dust mites, and parrots. On top of all this you will also learn how to solve the problem of odd socks forever.
Nigel brings both an outrageous sense of humour and a seasoned depth of ‘real-world’ experience to this show in an utterly unique blend that is entertaining, enlightening, and ultimately inspiring.
Warning: some language may offend.

Mid Canterbury Plunket presents Nigel Latta as a fundraiser towards paying for the Ashburton Plunket Centre.
Tickets all $30 
7.30pm

April Holiday Children’s Entertainment:

*Big Little Theatre Company – Oliver Twist (Play with music)  19-21st April

*Magic Chicken - brought to you by the Top of the South Arts Consortium (date tbc)

Thu, 26 April
Hot Pink (Arts on Tour NZ)

Penny Ashton back again!

“…vivacious…highly entertaining…sheer charm and energy...” The Scotsman – Edinburgh
“I really enjoyed it.” Pam Ayres...
“…pure class…” Nelson Mail

Want more “OH!” in your poetry and more “ahhhh” in your alliteration? Want to see a woman whose bra fits her head? Well NZ’s favourite rhyming Queen of Tarts has the show for you!
Hot Pink with Penny Ashton is a loads-of-laughs-a-minute comedy show that incorporates poetry, songs, ukulele and stand-up, to dissect the dilemmas of a modern woman, and also shows herself up to be a bit of a twit now and then.
Penny Ashton’s “Hot Pink Bits” was one of the most popular shows in 2009, so she is thrilled to be back on the road to meet you all again. Especially after a massive year where she performed poetry at the Glastonbury Festival, attended Miss Universe… sadly, only as a journalist, and fell miles into love. More info on www.hotpink.co.nz

Tickets: $25, other discounts on request; All Door Sales $25  
Concert $7.30pm

Sat + Sun, 28 + 29 April 2012
Angelina Ballerinas Big Audition

performed by the Royal New Zealand Ballet

After hugely successful tours of Australia and the UK, Royal New Zealand Ballet is delighted to be performing this enchanting production, originally created by English National Ballet, throughout the country between March and May. An English National Ballet Production
Angelina loves to dance and dreams of becoming a famous ballerina. Miss Lilly is her ballet teacher and Alice Nimbletoes, her best friend - characters that cannot fail to charm with their love of colour and pretty costumes.
Angelina Mousling is a fictional mouse and the star of some twenty enormously popular children's books, which became an animated TV series in 2002, then a musical and now a ballet.
In this production Angelina prepares for her most important performance ever in front of the Camembert Academy judges.
Definitely one for all those budding ballerinas and we guarantee you'll love it too!
”Guaranteed to charm an army of small children - boys, note, as well as girls” - The Times

All Tickets: from $27 
Performances: 28th:10.30am, 1.30pm, 3.30pm; 29th: 10.30pm

Tue, 1 May 
Boomers Behaving Badly (Arts on Tour NZ)

One minute you are gradfuating from high school and the next minute you are periously close to 60. How did this happen?
Jane Keller presents a fabulous ane woman cabaret show that focuses on baby-boomers – and what they get up to: cougars on the prowl, grandchildren from hell, divorce parties, Botox botch-ups, middle age revenge porn, internet dting successes...and tragedies!
Combining her special style of storytelling with her virtuoso Broadway voice, and piano accompaniment from Michael Nichola Williams, Jane tells tales in an evening of shock, tittle-tattle and raucous hilarity.

Tickets: $25, other discounts on request; All Door Sales $25 
Concert: 7.30pm

 

Fri, 4 May 2012
Menopause – The Musical

See what millions of women worldwide have been laughing about for over 10 years! 
Since 2001, women of all ages have had their spirits lifted by the show's light-hearted look at menopause.
This joyful musical parody set to classic tunes from the 60s, 70s and 80s (where My Guy becomes My Thighs, The Lion Sleeps Tonight becomes My Husband Sleeps Tonight and Lookin' For Love becomes Lookin' For Food) will have the audience cheering and dancing down the aisles.  Menopause The Musical® - In Concert gives the audience a more up close and personal experience with the cast, bringing a refreshed look at 'The Change'.
Menopause The Musical® - In Concert crystallises all of the magic, the entire script, songs, laughter and tears of the original stage show, slips it into a cocktail dress, and pours it into an evening of fun and elegance in equal measure. Imagine if Marlene Dietrich came from Dubbo, had borrowed Mae West's sense of humour, and decided to share her experience of 'The Change' in Rick's Cafe (Casablanca). If you can, you are close to the collusion of stylish cabaret, comedy, and musical genius that is Menopause The Musical® - In Concert.

All Tickets: Early Bird Special until Christmas $69.90, after Christmas $75 (fees apply)
Show: 8pm

May 2012
Just the boyz are back

Variety Theatre Ashburton

Fri + Sat, 10+11 Aug 2012
Men in Tutus 

Les Ballets Eloelle are bringing their new production of "Men in Tutu's” - the most spectacular, talented and hilarious all-male comedy ballet ever back to New Zealand.

From the thrilling pirouettes of the male dancers ( in male and female costumes) with brilliant choreography to the side splitting humour,  LES BALLETS ELOELLE new show "Men in Tutu's" is a show designed for the young and old.

The greatest troupe of it is kind around the globe; Les Ballet's features over fifty ballets in its repertoire and an array of the best international professional male ballet dancers from thirteen nations.  These fine-looking and gorgeous soloists have executed with celebrated ballet company's including New York Ballet, The American Ballet Theatre, the prestigious Royal ballet, Paris Opera Ballet, The National Ballet of Canada, The Royal Swedish Ballet, Berlin State Opera Ballet, English National Ballet, Joffrey Ballet and Hong Kong Ballet.
The New York-based Company is led by creative Director and lead dancer Victor Trevino, who was artistic Director and Lead Dancer in 2007 with the hugely successful Australian and New Zealand tour of 'Men in Tutus'. 
 
Les Ballet's Elolle 'Men In Tutus' personifies the elemental parody of both classic and present-day ballet.
 
The combining of magnificent dance proficiency, bantering and clamorous wittiness with designed mannerisms, dance misadventures and naturally outrageous hissy fits by gentlemen role playing both masculine and feminine personas (just about all of the gentlemen act, and in reality appear like beautiful ladies, although others are furry chested adult males with flapcake make-up but all stylish in tights and tutus.) and dancing on perfect Pointe.  '
Men in Pink Tutus' produces bang-up amusement and LOL "Laugh Out Loud" family entertainment for all. Be truly amazed.
"Artistically brilliant, absolutely hilarious" - New York Post
"Brilliant, Brilliant, Brilliant" - New York Daily Times
"It is not a drag show, but a brilliant artistic and comical send up of the world of dance" - USA Today

Tickets: Adult $84.90, Child $57.90, Senior $77.90, Groups 10+ $77.90 (incl fees)
Show 8pm