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Fully Certified
The Court Theatre
General Information
129 Gloucester Street, Christchurch Central City, Christchurch 8011
0800 333 100
Opening Times - Check before visiting as might change
Box Office Hours: Monday to Saturday, 1:00 PM – 5:00 PM (Also open from 2 hours before each show) Restaurant and Bar Hours: Tuesday to Saturday, 4:00 PM – 9:00 PM (Also open from 2 hours before each show)
Overview
The Court Theatre is based in the heart of the city of Christchurch.
The Court Theatre is New Zealand’s largest theatre company. It is a diverse and dynamic organisation of permanent staff, plus hundreds of artists and artisans who produce 15–20 productions each year.
More than 100,000 ticket buyers enter The Court Theatre each year to enjoy a varied offering of theatrical works, most of which are created and produced on-site.
The Court Theatre reflects the ever-diversifying Ōtautahi Christchurch population and creates and supports work for everyone in the community—including children and families, Tangata Whenua, and Christchurch’s growing Pasifika communities.
A strong education programme at The Court Theatre fosters and nurtures the future of theatre in New Zealand through drama and improv classes, holiday programmes, workshops, theatre intensives, masterclasses, and the Ambassadors, Youth Company, and Youth Crew programmes. Those involved in the education programmes find a safe space to play and explore—a place free of judgement, where everyone’s individuality is celebrated.
The Court Theatre supports new writing for theatre and commissions plays from a diverse range of New Zealand playwrights. This work may be destined to become a theatrical event on the mainstage, a more intimate and edgier piece for the adventurous Forge audience, or magical storytelling for children’s audiences. Recent commissions have involved playwrights Hone Kouka, Gary Henderson, Alison Quigan, and Oscar Kightley.
The Court Jesters need no introduction—they’ve been making Ōtautahi Christchurch laugh since 1990. They are available for private and corporate event entertainment, as well as running Theatresports™ competitions and New Zealand’s longest-running late-night comedy show, Scared Scriptless. Christchurch’s hunger for comedy keeps The Jesters on their toes.
The Court Theatre has something for everyone: for those who want their entertainment king-sized and world-class; for those who want to sit back and enjoy a good laugh; and for those who want theatre to challenge, to spark debate, and to linger in the mind long after the curtain falls. The Court Theatre creates and supports work for all the people of Ōtautahi Christchurch.
The Court Theatre doesn’t belong to a government or council. It doesn’t belong to an individual. It doesn’t belong to the practitioners who work here. It belongs to you—the audience. The Court Theatre is reaching further, pushing outward, and trying harder to expand that audience so that all the people of this country can share in and celebrate the work the theatre produces.
The Court Theatre is your theatre. Whoever you are.
Notes for Cardholders
At The Court Theatre, we want all our customers to feel welcome and receive excellent service. We recognise that our disabled customers may face certain barriers, and we are committed to helping them overcome these. Our staff receive specific training to understand those barriers and to take proactive steps to make a positive difference.
We also understand that some patrons may require a companion to provide dedicated assistance. If your card has a +1 symbol, we are pleased to provide a free ticket for your companion.
We are actively working to improve accessibility—this includes ensuring everyone can enjoy the productions and events we present. While The Court Theatre’s new home has been designed with disabled people very much in mind, we are always looking for ways to enhance accessibility for our patrons.
If you have any suggestions on how we can improve our services, please let us know by emailing: communications@courttheatre.org.nz
Standing and Queuing
In theory, when entering either of the two auditoriums, you will not have to queue or stand for a long time. The doors to the auditoriums are opened with enough time, so that visitors can enter without feeling rushed. Please introduce yourself to our staff at the Ticket Office if you need any assistance. We will do our best to make your journey to the venue as easy and comfortable as possible.
You may have to queue to order a drink or pizza. However, if you introduce yourself to our staff at the Ticket Office, they will do their best to help you "skip the line".
Level Access
The two entry points to the foyer are at ground level through two sets of sensor glass doors. The public spaces of The Court Theatre are over three levels accessible by a lift. The Ground Floor houses:
Box Office
The Bar and Restaurant
Seating: combination of leaners and dining tables
Accessible rest rooms
Doors 1 and 2 to the Stalls in the Stewart Family Theatre (The Court Theatre’s main auditoria)
Door A to the Ground floor in the Wakefield Family front Room (the smaller auditoria)
Level 1 houses:
The smaller Bar
Seating: combination of leaners and dining tables
Accessible rest rooms
Doors 3 and 4 to the Lower Balcony in the Stewart Family Theatre (The Court Theatre’s main auditoria)
Door B to the Mezzanine floor in the Wakefield Family front Room (the smaller auditoria)
Level 2 houses :
Accessible rest rooms
Door 5 to the Upper Balcony in the Stewart Family Theatre (The Court Theatre’s main auditoria)
Accessible seating within the auditoria include:
Stalls (Stewart Family Theatre): up to four wheelchairs can be accommodated
two spaces exist: D8 and D23
two spaces can be created by removing seats D6 and D7 to sit next to D8 OR removing seats D24 and D25 to sit next to D23
Lower Balcony (Stewart Family Theatre): up to two wheelchairs can be accommodated
two spaces can be created by removing seats M17 and M18 to sit next to M19 OR removing seats M34 and M35 to sit next to M33
Upper Balcony (Stewart Family Theatre): one wheelchair can be accommodated
one space can be created by removing seats P36 and P35 to sit next to P34
Ground Floor (Wakefield Family Front Room): up to 50 wheelchairs can be accommodated (we accept the challenge)
Mezzanine (Wakefield Family Front Room): one space exists: Z15 sitting between Z14 and Z16
It is best to use your own wheelchair; however, The Court Theatre has two wheelchairs. Thank you to Christchurch Casinos Charitable Community Trust.
Distances
Within The Court Theatre, our friendly Usher team can provide access assistance for visitors with mobility or visual impairments. Please advise our Box Office team at the time of booking of any access assistance required – they will advise you on where in the auditorium you will have the best experience.
The Court Theatre does not have a dedicated car park. However, there are mobility car parks nearby. Visit: Mobility car parks: Christchurch City Council and zoom in on the area around Tūranga, at the corner of Gloucester and Colombo Streets.
For other parking options, visit: Car and motorbike parking map: Christchurch City Council.
There are also 10-minute drop-off zones on Colombo Street and Gloucester Street.
You may wish to be dropped off and picked up after the show. Our Box Office team can advise you on the duration of the show. If you would like a taxi to pick you up after the show, we recommend booking in advance for a shorter wait time. Our Box Office team can call a taxi for you.
Urgent Toilet Access
The Court Theatre has several male and female toilets, as well as a disabled toilet on each floor. Please note that there are no lift systems in the toilets; however, there are safety rails that can be lowered in each disabled toilet. Baby changing facilities are available in all disabled toilets.
Disability Assist Dogs
We welcome assistance dogs at The Court – please inform the box office at the time of booking. We will book a seat for him/her/they free of charge. It would be great if he/she/they remained on the floor.
Essential Companions
Important Companions get the same show ticket for free as Access Card Holders with the +1 Symbol.
Difficulty Accessing Visual Information
Our Front of House team is on hand to help you understand the many signs and written information in the theatre. Top directional signs include Braille.
For a limited number of performances, we offer pre-show touch tours and audio descriptions. During the performance, live audio descriptions via headset detail the visual story of the sets, costumes, and actors’ movements on, off, and around the stage. The descriptions complement the dialogue, allowing those who may have difficulty accessing visual information to fully immerse themselves in the production. Visit our website for specific dates and performances: www.courttheatre.org.nz
Difficulty Accessing Audible Information
For patrons with a hearing aid, a hearing loop is available. Before arriving at The Court, download the app Webcast onto your electronic device. When you arrive at The Court Theatre change your wifi network to Court Theatre Hearing Assistance – Ensure that your electronic device is connected to your hearing aid. This technology is available in the Stewart Family Theatre (Main-theatre-HA), the Wakefield Family Front Room (Studio-Theatre-HA), The Rātā Foundation Studio (Education-Studio-HA) and the Foyer.
For a limited number of performances, we offer an NZSL interpreter on stage providing real-time interpretation. Visit our website for specific dates and shows: www.courttheatre.org.nz
Hidden Disabilities
A Relaxed Performance is a special performance of our children’s plays. It is designed to welcome those who will benefit from a more relaxed performance environment, including people with an Autism Spectrum Condition, sensory and communication disorders or a learning difficulty. Communication Friendly Performances are designed for those with communication difficulties.
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