Christchurch City Council is working in partnership with The Court Theatre to build the theatre’s new central city home. The new Court Theatre will open in 2025.
The new building, on the corner of Colombo and Gloucester streets, promises a theatre experience unlike any other in New Zealand.
The building was designed by Athfield Architects and UK-based architects Haworth Tompkins. Hawkins leads the construction.
It comprises two theatres. The 377-seat Stewart Family Theatre has three levels of seating around the stage. The seating can be removed, giving flexibility to adjust the stage position for different types of performances.
A smaller auditorium has 120 to 150 seats and will be used for performances such as children’s theatre and improvised comedy.
Other spaces will be used for wardrobe, costume and props construction and an education studio. There are also rehearsal and administration spaces, and a workshop for set construction.
A front of house bar and café, including the Court’s renowned pizza oven, will ensure patrons are well-catered for.
The main auditorium is now enclosed, and structural works are complete. Over coming months, building services and balustrades will be completed, and interior finishing such as wall linings and painting will begin.
The first production is planned for the second quarter of 2025.
Council will undertake street works, including paving and lighting in Colombo and Gloucester Streets, to further refresh this area and complement the building.
Car parking for the new Court Theatre is expected to be on-street or in one of the car parking buildings located in the central city, within a few minutes’ walk. There is also off-street parking close by on Armagh Street. The Council is working with the owners of these sites to improve their quality.