Timaru loves theatre

09/03/2025

2 shows in one! Act 1 is Fame Jr the Musical which follows the highs and lows of a class of New York City's illustrious High School for the Performing Arts from their first year in 1980. Features fantastic song and dance. Act 2 is an 80s Extravaganza featuring the biggest hits of the 80s. You'll be dancing in the aisles and singing along!
3-12 April, Playhouse Timaru. Book online at iticket.co.nz

30/03/2024

Ticket Winners Announced!
Congratulations to Roselyn Fauth and Ness Gillies who have each won a double pass to opening night of upcoming 'Tuck Everlasting the Musical' Enjoy the show!
Book your ticket at iticket.co.nz or pop into Newmans MusicWorks in preson.

21/11/2019

Timaru's Theatre Royal should have been closed years ago according to a visiting production manager.

19/11/2019

Curtain falls on theatre for redevelopment

The curtain has fallen on the Theatre Royal for the last time this year as the $24 million redevelopment project kicks off.

Decommissioning work on the more than 100 year old theatre has now commenced following the Imperial Russian Ballet Company production of Swan Lake on Friday, with the removal of key lighting and rigging systems.

Timaru District Council Group Manager Commercial and Strategy, Donna Cross said that the final decision to close the theatre enables the new project team to hit the ground running with the redevelopment.

“We were looking at the possibility of keeping the theatre open for longer, albeit in its under-utilised state, but we had concerns over the viability and safety of both the flying and lighting systems, so have decided that the best decision is to close the theatre now to allow decommissioning to commence, and provide the new project team better access as we move forward to the design phase.

“The ballet was very well received by the audience; and it proved a fitting show on which to finally drop the curtain on the theatre.

“It’s a poignant moment for those who have been a key part in helping keep the theatre running all these years, but there’s also the excitement that we’re going to be starting work to secure its future as one of the region’s best venues, putting us back on the map for touring shows."

https://www.timaru.govt.nz/news-and-events/latest-news/curtain-falls-on-theatre-for-redevelopment

19/08/2019

Bookings at Timaru's Theatre Royal will be taken until at least December, but the drama league's president is concerned about the time the upgrade is taking. 

19/08/2019

Voters - Pressure the incoming council to get started on the Theatre Royal upgrade.
Surprise surprise, nothing has been done in 2 years of talking. We are missing out culturally and economically with top artists/ballets/music and theatre all bypassing Timaru and going elsewhere.

21/02/2019

Timaru's Theatre Royal has a $12 million upgrade waiting in the wings but there is no word yet when the final curtain will fall for work to begin.

03/05/2018

Multi-million dollar heritage projects get the Timaru District Council's tick of approval.

02/05/2018

This is great news for Timaru - let's hope the improvements are done in a timely manner

On the Theatre Royal, the motion passed is to:

Upgrade Both the Behind the Scenes and Front of House areas.

26/04/2018

well done SC for having your say

Proposed upgrades to Timaru's Theatre Royal and the creation of a "heritage hub" appear to have wide support from the community.

10/04/2018

A host of big issues has sparked several hundred submissions for the Timaru District Council's Long Term Plan.