Court Theatre Christchurch

Christchurch, New Zealand

A new anchor in the revitalised performing arts precinct.

Photograph taken by Kirk Hargreaves

Following the 2011 Christchurch earthquake, the highly regarded Court Theatre Company had to leave their central location and “camp” in a temporary venue until a new home could be found. In 2020 the Council and the Court agreed a new development plan to provide a new purpose built 360-seat theatre on a city centre site, forming an important part of a new Arts precinct.

In a joint venture, the UK’s leading arts architects Haworth Tompkins and Christchurch’s Athfield Architects have completed the detailed design work on The Court Theatre’s new home, which will include a 360-seat main playhouse auditorium, a 130-seat studio theatre where children’s and family shows can be held, education and rehearsal rooms, and front-of-house facilities.

“Since the earthquakes it has been our dream to build a world-class fit-for-purpose theatre centre.”

Barbara George, Chief Executive, Court Theatre Christchurch

Rendering courtesy of Haworth Tompkins

Charcoalblue have provided Theatre Planning advice and full technical facilities design for all the spaces in the new venue. The main auditorium has been designed as a tight, high focused room with a degree of flexibility and deep integration of technical facilities responding to a very particular and well defined client brief.

Project Details

Client

Court Theatre Christchurch

Project cost

NZ$56m

Completion

Late 2023

Rendering courtesy of Haworth Tompkins

Credits

Architect

Haworth Tompkins

MEP

Cosgroves

Project Manager

Octa

Structural Engineer

Ruamoko Solutions

Portrait of Erin against a blue background

Want to learn more about Court Theatre Christchurch? Contact Erin!

+61 (03) 9417 6524

Supporting the industry internationally since 2004

The Queen's Awards for Enterprise: International Trade 2020 UK Theatre Tonic Theatre Communications Group Carbon Literate Orginisation - Silver
Portrait of Erin against a blue background

Want to learn more about Court Theatre Christchurch? Contact Erin!

Contact Erin

+61 (03) 9417 6524