"Hidden in Christchurch’s suburb of Addington is New Zealand’s largest theatrecompany. In its post-earthquake refuge - an old grain shed – is a magical world ofhappiness, laughter, drama and intrigue.Inside the walls of the old grain shed is a diverse and dynamic company of 60permanent staff plus hundreds of artists and artisans who produce 19 productionseach year. Over 150,000 ticket buyers enter The Court each year to feast on thevaried offering of theatrical works, all created and produced on-site.The Court has matched the ever-diversifying Christchurch population and createsand supports work for everyone in our community including children and families, forthe Tangata Whenua and for Christchurch’s growing Pasifika communities.A strong education programme at The Court fosters and nurtures the future oftheatre in New Zealand through drama and improv classes, holiday programmes,workshops, theatre intensives, master classes and the Ambassadors, YouthCompany and Youth Crew programmes. Those involved in the educationprogrammes find a safe space to play and explore in a place free of judgement,where everyone’s individuality is celebrated.The Court supports new writing for theatre and commissions plays from a diverserange of New Zealand playwrights. This work may be destined to be a theatricalevent on the mainstage, or more intimate and edgier work for the adventurousForge audience, or quite simply creating magic for the kids’ audiences. Recentcommissions have involved playwrights Hone Kouka, Gary Henderson, AlisonQuigan and Oscar Kightley.The Court Jesters need no introduction – they’ve been making Christchurch laughsince 1990. Available for private and corporate event entertainment as well asrunning TheatresportsTM competitions and New Zealand’s longest running late-nightcomedy show, Scared Scriptless, Christchurch’s hunger for comedy keeps TheJesters on their toes.The Court has something for everyone. It has something for those who want theirentertainment king-sized and world class, for those who want to sit back and enjoy agood laugh, and for those who want theatre to challenge, to spark debate and tostay in their mind long after the show has finished. The Court creates, and helpscreate, work for all the people of Ōtautahi.The Court doesn’t belong to a government or council. It doesn’t belong to anindividual. It doesn’t belong to the practitioners that work here. It belongs to you; theaudience. The Court is reaching further, pushing out, trying harder to expand thataudience so that all the people of this country can share and celebrate in the workthe theatre produces.The Court Theatre is your theatre. Whoever you are."