7 Jan 2025

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The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic will have its debut this Thursday, with the Anthony Harper Summer Theatre season running from 9–26 January.

Set in the idyllic Archery Lawn at Christchurch Botanic Gardens, the outdoor show brings audiences a playful take on the Titanic story says Christchurch City Council Manager of Events and Arts Lucy Blackmore.

“The show will include iconic movie moments, surprising conspiracy theories and a banger 90s soundtrack.

“With just three actors and a musician, the cast will have their work cut out for them. The actors each play a host of characters, from the leading man and lady to the ‘extras’ – some from the film and others dreamt up by the show’s creators,” says Ms Blackmore.

Anthony Harper Summer Theatre has been running for over 30 years and draws around 7,000 spectators each season.

“It’s a staple in the summer event calendar and attracts some of the city’s top theatre makers,” says Ms Blackmore.

Last year’s show The Odyssey by Dan Bain won two awards – the Adam NZ Play Award and the McNaughton South Island Play Award.

“It’s awesome to be able to bring such high calibre shows to the community year after year. We’re lucky to have Lizzie Tollemache and Dan Pengelly at the helm of this year’s show.

“As writers, directors and performers, they bring their vast experience in devising, improvisation, and comedy to deliver a captivating theatre experience,” says Ms Blackmore.

Audience members are welcome to bring a picnic and camping chairs or picnic rugs to sit on. All ages are welcome, although these shows are best enjoyed by ages 12 years and over. 

Anthony Harper Summer Theatre is a free event, but koha donations will be gratefully accepted by the production’s theatre company, Rollicking Entertainment.

Evening shows begin at 7pm and weekend matinees are at 4pm. See the full performance schedule at What’s On.