Shows for the whole whānau!
Need something to entertain the kids? We’ve got you.
What about a show that the whole family will enjoy? Yep, we’ve got that too.
And for the teens in your life? Sorted.
What about deals on tickets? Oh yes, keep reading 🥳
Who What Where Now
Who What Where NowBinge Culture
Theatre Royal | Sun 26th October
Uncover a trail of magic and mystery behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal.
There’s a rumbling under the theatre! Shall we look and see what it is? Uncover a trail of magic and mystery behind the scenes at the Theatre Royal. Where is that mysterious ribbeting coming from? And is that monkey wearing a tie?
A world of puzzles and play, rich in colour and sound, can be found in the places you least expect – and in corners of the theatre you have never seen before. You have the clues and the courage to explore both the theatrical and the natural world on a quest to find a precious taonga.
Who What Where Now is an adventure experience guided by a bespoke mobile app on both Android and Apple devices. Perfect for ages 4-10 with adult supervision, most fun in groups of 2-6 people.
Devised by Joel Baxendale, Oliver Devlin and Ralph Upton Voice
Image credit – Charlotte Curd
All The Things I Wish I Could Be
All The Things I Wish I Could BeTom Knowles & Jed Parsnips
Suter Theatre | Mon 27th October
A brand new Kiwi kids comedy singalong!
Blast off with Jeff and Tom in All The Things I Wish I Could Be, a wild musical adventure about two lovable dads who dream of becoming everything from All Blacks to ballerinas, mad monkeys to silly monsters. Bursting with original songs performed live, this “very Kiwi” comedy is packed with heart, hilarity, and high-energy fun for tamariki and grown-ups alike.
Starring entertainer Tom Knowles and award-winning comedian-musician Jed Parsons (aka “Jeff Parsnips”), this brand new, Aotearoa original is a joyful celebration of imagination, friendship, and the endless possibilities of who we can be. Perfect for the whole whānau!
“… provoking the audience into fits of laughter” – Theatreview
Whānau pass
Book 4 or more tickets to one of our tamariki shows to receive 30% off your all tickets.
RANGATAHI
Yes Yes Yes
Yes Yes YesEBKM
Theatre Royal | Thu 23rd October
Exploring the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, desire and consent for ages 14+.
Book Now
A theatre show created for young people that explores the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, desire and consent.
Jamie and Ari like each other. Karin and Tom do too. 😊 They might be at two separate parties, but their stories are identical. Until they really aren’t.
Part documentary, part confession, part open conversation, Yes, Yes, Yes is a theatre show created specifically for young adults.
Exploring the knotty and necessary topics of healthy relationships, desire and consent, it blends audience interaction with captivating solo performance. Featuring in-depth interviews with teenagers, Yes Yes Yes is empathetic, empowering and engaging for youth audiences and carers alike.
Humorous, witty and moving, it sparks conversation where conversation can be difficult! The result is a funny, generous and innovative piece of contemporary theatre that speaks directly to one of the most pressing issues young people face today, and holds its audience at its heart.
“Should you and all the young people you know see this show? Yes. Yes Yes. Yes Yes Yes. YES YES YES. ” – Theatreview
Image credit – Jinki Cambronero
Eleanor Bishop – Creator, writer and director
Karin McCracken – Creator, writer and performer
Rachel Marlow for Filament 11 – Lighting Design
Cinematographer
CinematographerAnthonie Tonnon
Theatre Royal | Thu 23rd Oct
Live music meets visual DJ-ing, video, and all new sounds for music obsessed teens and adults alike.
An immersive ode to cinema, turn of the millennium dance culture, and The Situationist International
Cinematographer is a new show by Taite Music Prize-winning songwriter and performer Anthonie Tonnon. Celebrating the inspiration of cinema to modern Aotearoa, Cinematographer combines all new music with visual DJing by Erica Sklenars, custom videography by Theo Taylor, archival footage, and a psychogeographic narrative.
The show explores two timelines – the film-obsessed Situationist International and their revolutionary experiments which nearly overthrew France in 1968, and the turn of the new millennium in Aotearoa, as our islands transformed into to what Guy Debord famously called ‘The Society of the Spectacle’ – a country of filmmakers and film locations, DJs, celebrity culture, and the greatest marketing minds in the anglophone world.
Tonnon draws a link between these seemingly distant stories, swapping his guitar for the vocoder, and converting his two Synthstrom Deluges into honorary turntables, to create a cinematic live documentary with a sonic palette inspired by turn-of-the-millennium dance culture.
“Tonnon’s gift is the astute juxtaposition of the personal and the political, where social issues revolve around people up against family, lovers, corporate entities or bureaucracy. But at heart, love is the pivot.” The Listener
Image credit: Belinda Merrie & Daniel Alexander
Written and performed – Anthonie Tonnon
Visual DJing – Erica Sklenars
Cinematography – Theo Taylor
Design – Daniel Alexander
Sound – Malcolm Ibell
Lighting – Wendy Clease
Group Discount
Book six or more tickets to one show to receive 12% off all your tickets. =
FAMILY
By A Thread
By A ThreadOne Fell Swoop Circus
Theatre Royal | Sat 1 Nov & Sun 2 Nov
Mesmerising circus and high ropes for the whole family – coming to Nelson after sold out shows in the UK.
Book Now
An exploration of tensions physical, emotional and relational.
Long spools of white rope run through pulley sheaves and wrap around bodies, connecting the artists’ movements off the ground. The actions of one acrobat affect and implicate the movements of others in a mesmerising negotiation of cause and effect.
Circus, through risk, develops high levels of trust and communication within ensembles. By a Thread was created to bring a new dimension to these relationships, and the parallels they draw to our everyday interactions. Acrobatics and choreography weave through moments of confusion, hilarity, romance, playfulness, fear and friendship.
Relationships between ensemble members mimic everyday relationships as human beings, creating an intimate experience around the dangers and joys in engaging with others. The counterpoint to the danger in circus is the joy in working as an ensemble, challenging risk, and uncovering the possibilities.
More than mere bodies in space, By a Thread is an exploration of tensions physical, emotional and relational.
Fresh from a sell-out season at Edinburgh Fringe, this will be the show’s only New Zealand stop.
Best Circus – Adelaide Fringe
Best Circus – Perth Fringe
“A breath-taking display of physical theatre” This is Radelaide
“A Masterpiece” – Screnestr
Mask Carnivale
Mask CarnivaleA Halloween celebration for all
Central CBD | Friday 31 October
Take part in Nelson’s beloved mask parade and carnivale celebration for Halloween 2025! Look out for the full line-up of performers coming soon.
Whakatū Nelson’s beloved masked parade returns in 2025, transformed, and as vibrant as ever.
Whakatū Nelson’s much-loved community event – Mask Carnivale, presented by our Moa Partners Nelson Mail – will transform our inner-city streets into a colourful explosion of joy, community and creativity on Friday 31 October.
This year’s theme, TRANSFORMATION, invites everyone to show up and shine. Celebrate our community’s rich diversity through bold masks, joyful movement and shared creativity.
The theme was chosen by the tamariki from Nelson Central School, the winners of the 2024 Kim Merry Supreme Award, this theme was inspired by learning about the life cycle of butterflies and metamorphosis.
Parade registrations are now open – sign up HERE.
Bring the whānau, your neighbours and the mates from work, and head into town from 5pm for a joyful celebration of community. All are welcome – take part in an evening of live performances, delicious food, music, and magical moments with colour and connection.
Mask Carnivale is an outdoor event, so please make sure to bring suitable footwear and clothing for the weather.
Huge thanks to our partners Nelson Mail and Stuff for supporting this community celebration again this year.
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