Nicola Cheeseman is Back

30 May 2026 - 14 June 2026

7.30-9.30pm

Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North

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Nicola Cheeseman is sick of trying to do it all.

Nicola’s husband has moved out, her ageing dad has moved in, and somewhere between raising kids and holding down a job, she’s lost her mojo—and her dreams of being a nouveau punk goddess.

Now, armed with a chaotic vision board, a killer vinyl jumpsuit, and a craving to be more than “just Mum”, she’s falling apart to put herself back together.

Following two sold-out seasons in Auckland, Nicola Cheeseman is Back comes to Centrepoint Theatre.

Starring the brilliant Jodie Rimmer in her first-ever solo show, and written by award-winning playwright Kathryn Burnett (Under the Vines, My Life is Murder), this is a hilarious, heartfelt ride through midlife mayhem.

Raw, honest and painfully relatable—bring your Mum, your daughter, your nana, and your besties. Every woman will get it. Every man should see it.

Improv for Performance

21 April 2026 - 16 June 2026

6-7.30pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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This term-length programme is perfect for those who wish to grow confidence and creativity in a positive and safe learning space, develop their performance skills, grow their comedy muscles, and increase their listening prowess.

Through group games and exercises, learn the basic rules of improv to working with others, trusting yourself, and not being afraid to fail. The workshops are weekly, 90-minute sessions, and the term finishes with a showcase performance for your friends, whānau, and public.

You will learn to create characters and stories on the fly, build offers from nothing, collaborate with a partner and team and embrace failure with a smile…maybe even a laugh!

These classes are suitable for those wanting to begin their improv performance journey and those wanting to diversify their stage skillset. No prerequisites are required; however recommended for those with some stage or improv experience, or confidence to give it a go. Just bring your enthusiasm and a willingness to dive into the world of improvisation.

Stage Combat with Allan Henry

21 June 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs

A punch kick slam crash course in Stage Combat techniques to help you design safe effective staged violence.

Actor, nerd, Goofball dad. Allan is a performance capture artist and actor based in Wellington. Most recently appearing as Malgosha in a Minecraft Movie, King Kong in the Monsterverse and Cokey in Cocaine Bear, Allan is often found rolling dice, or rolling around in Lycra. A founding member of Aotearoa Fight directors, Allan always looks forward to sharing his knowledge of Stage Combat with students of all ages.

ABBA Thank you for the Music

27 June 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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Get ready to say, “Thank you for the Music”.
A 2-hour spectacular live concert that will take you through the songs, the life and magic that made ABBA one of the most successful bands of all time. All the hits “Waterloo, Mamma Mia, Dancing Queen, Money Money, SOS, Ring Ring” and the list goes on.
ABBA Thankyou the Music is the must see show this year.
Performed by Narelle Ryan, Michelle Birmingham and full backing band.
Duration 2 hours and 20 minutes.

K-POP ICONS

15 July 2026

7pm

Regent on Broadway

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Get ready to sing, dance, and party like never before with the K-POP ICONS – the ultimate live concert experience celebrating Korea’s global music phenomenon!
🔥 Packed with the BIGGEST hits and fan-favourite tracks from the smash-hit film K-POP DEMON HUNTERS 🗡️🩸💫 this high-energy, family-friendly show brings the world of K-pop to life. Electrifying performances, iconic choreography, and non-stop music.
🎶 Featuring songs from BLACKPINK, ROSÉ, BTS, TWICE, K/DA, KATSEYE, and DEMON HUNTERS groups SAJA BOYS and HUNTR/X. This party show is for all ages whether you’re a hardcore fan or brand new to the K-Pop wave.
✨ The lights are up. The stage is set. It’s your time to shine like you’re born to be. Make the Honmoon Golden with the K-POP ICONS! 💫

Pigs on the Run

11 July 2026 - 18 July 2026

Various

Centrepoint Theatre

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An exciting new production “piggy-backing” off last year’s Pasifika youth workshops, Pigs on the Run is a vibrant, modern retelling of The Three Little Pigs filled with contemporary music, bold storytelling, and plenty of heart. Created to celebrate and showcase the incredible Pasifika talent we have here in the Manawatū, this playful and powerful production puts young voices centre stage and reimagines a classic tale for today’s audience.

Musical Theatre with Jason Te Mete

26 July 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs

Join award-winning performer, director and vocal coach Jason Te Mete for an inspiring musical theatre workshop! Dive into the magic of storytelling through song - exploring character, emotion, and connection in both solo and ensemble work. With Jason’s industry experience and creative guidance, you’ll learn how to bring authenticity, confidence, and heart to every performance. Whether you’re preparing for auditions or simply love to sing, act, and move, this is your chance to develop your craft and shine on stage.

Armageddon: In Concert

31 July 2026

7pm

Regent on Broadway

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Armageddon: In Concert blasts off as Manawatū Youth Orchestra and Sinfonia unite for a blockbuster night of sci-fi and fantasy scores. Hear favourites from Star Wars, Harry Potter, The Lord of the Rings, Sonic the Hedgehog and more—plus we will be joined by special guests the Palmerston North Knights Lightsaber Group. An electrifying, all-ages adventure in sound.

Supping with the Devil

1 August 2026 - 9 August 2026

Various

Centrepoint Theatre

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Leni Riefenstahl was called ‘Hitler’s Pin-Up Girl’. A dancer, an actor and one of the most brilliant and innovative film makers of the twentieth century, she sold her soul to Hitler’s Third Reich and destroyed her career. After the Second World War, Riefenstahl was ostracised in Germany and never made another film until she was in her nineties.

*A discussion session will be offered by the creative team after each show.

Content warning: References to the Holocaust and sexual violence.

Alan Davies – Think Ahead Tour

10 August 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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Get ready to laugh out loud!
Comedy legend Alan Davies is hitting the stage with his razor-sharp wit, brilliant storytelling, and trademark charm in his brand-new Think Ahead Tour. From hilarious mishaps to clever observations on everyday life, Alan delivers an evening packed with warmth, humour, and those brilliantly unpredictable moments he’s famous for.

If you love clever comedy with heart, this is a show you won’t want to miss.
Grab your tickets now and get ready to Think Ahead… and laugh all night!

Sound with Abi Symes

29 August 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs

Get hands-on with the essentials of live sound! This workshop covers the basics of setting up a PA system — from plugging in and signal flow to EQ and gain structure. Learn how to choose and position microphones for vocals, instruments, and drums to get the best sound possible. Perfect for beginners, bands wanting to level up their live shows, or anyone curious about how it all works behind the desk.

The Stomach is a community music hub in Palmerston North, offering affordable rehearsal spaces, an accessible recording studio, and an all-ages venue. We support artists of all genres and stages, from first-time jammers to seasoned performers. Our focus is on creativity, connection, and keeping live music thriving in the Manawatū. The Stomach is operated by Creative Sounds Society Inc — a not-for-profit proudly run by musicians, for musicians.

Lights with Talya Pilcher

30 August 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre, Palmerston North

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In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs

Focusing on the basics of light rigging, learn about lighting systems and their uses.

Talya is a graduate from Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School’s technical production course. She has since worked in the entertainment industry doing lighting, staging, pyrotechnics, and event management for over 20 years. She has designed the lighting for many of Centrepoint Theatre’s productions including That Bloody Woman, Shortland Street – The Musical and Misery. Recent credits include: Act Three's production of Come From Away, the touring production of Two Guitars, and Monument at Circa Theatre. When she's not working on theatre lighting design projects, she can be found working behind the scenes on Trackside broadcasts around the lower North Island and tutoring lighting at Feilding High School.

Shakespeare with Peter Hambleton

20 September 2026

9am-4pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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In 2026, thanks to our generous funder Mercury, the course is FREE to Manawatu students aged 14 to 18. Limited spots, express your interest: https://www.centrepoint.co.nz/basement-co-labs

Who are you talking to? An intensive, fun-filled session exploring what we can learn from Shakespeare's Globe Theatre in London, and the Pop-up Globe. We’ll delve into practical skills that will improve your focus, connection and confidence on stage. Great fun for newcomers who want to decode Shakespeare’s mystery, for those wanting to enhance their skills before 2027 SGCNZ Festivals, and for theatre-lovers!

Well-known Wellington Actor/Director Peter Hambleton (of THE HOBBIT movies, and local TV comedy HAPPINESS) has directed many of Shakespeare’s plays, including ALL's WELL THAT ENDS WELL, and THE COMEDY OF ERRORS for Manawatu Summer Shakespeare. He also appeared at Centrepoint Theatre in HUDSON AND HALLS LIVE.

Palmy Drag Fest 2026

3 October 2026

8pm

Regent on Broadway

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Step right up! The curtain is about to rise on the most spectacular, dazzling, high-camp event of the year.

Prepare for extraordinary talent, outrageous looks, and jaw-dropping performances as Palmy Drag Fest returns - bigger, bolder, and more fabulous than ever before. This is drag at its most iconic.

Hosted by Rhubarb Rouge & RubyDax alongside a powerhouse lineup of local and national performers, each bringing their own unique style, energy, and artistry to the stage, expect a night packed with unforgettable moments, high-impact numbers, and pure queer excellence.

From high glamour to high chaos, this is a full-scale spectacle celebrating the very best of drag.

Trust us, you won’t want to miss what we have in store.
Secure your tickets now and be part of the biggest show on earth.

Last Song, Actually!!!

14 November 2026 - 12 December 2026

6.30pm

Centrepoint Theatre

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Step into the whirlwind two years after the beloved China Inn changed hands.

The community is buzzing: tragedy, mystery, and mayhem collide as wedding bells threaten to ring. But who’s the real bride? Where’s the elusive groom? Why is everyone glued to their phones?

Continuing with the lovable characters we met in Last Song, Last Song, Actually is a comedic rollercoaster that is a love letter to the magic of karaoke, the warmth of the Palmy community and the haziness of late-night shenanigans.

NOTE: You do not have to see Last Song to understand Last Song Actually – no one really understood that one anyway, but it was fun though!

Royal New Zealand Ballet: The Sleeping Beauty

16 December 2026

7.30pm

Regent on Broadway

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In summer, we return to a much-loved Royal NZ Ballet production from 2011: Greg Horsman’s fairytale version of The Sleeping Beauty.
The age-old story of the princess who pricks her finger and falls into an enchanted sleep, only to be wakened by true love, is brought to life in picture-perfect designs by Gary Harris, classical choreography and Tchaikovsky’s music. A touch of wizardry from Wellington’s W?t? Workshop adds to the joy and wonder, making this a pre-Christmas treat for audiences of all ages.
2011 saw the premiere of this production, enjoyed by more than 42,000 people around New Zealand. Choreographer Greg Horsman left the Royal New Zealand Ballet in 2012 to take up a new role at Queensland Ballet, and this production has now been staged there several times to great acclaim. 15 years after its creation, we are proud to bring it home to where it all began.

Munch Thursday Quiz Nights

26 February 2026 - 17 December 2026

6-8pm

Munch - Broadway Ave

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Come join us for the fortnightly ritual on a Thursday night at Munch on Broadway, where you and your crew will negotiate five rounds of amazing trivia with Gee Quiz.

Your team's street cred, life smarts and common sense will go a long way to ensuring success on the night.

Add to the mix delicious food and an incredible vibe, it's the place to be on a Tuesday night with plenty of time for laughter, banter and merrymaking!

The quiz kicks off at 6pm and runs for roughly 2 hours. So, grab your buddies and come on down and join us for one of Palmy's best quiz nights – Munch style!

Neighbourhood Wednesday Quiz Nights

25 February 2026 - 23 December 2026

7pm

Neighbourhood Palmy

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Every Wednesday is quiz night with Quiz Master Brad at one of Palmy's best venues - Neighbourhood Bar & Restaurant!
Make sure to check out their Facebook page, as quiz nights book out EARLY!

Kicking off at 7pm, the quiz offers five rounds of big-screen trivia that's not too hard, not too easy, but includes content that relates to you and your crew! So if you've got some street smarts, a good attitude, and a dash of luck, you'll be a good chance on the night.

Add to the mix some bonus games, great food & drink, a stack of prizes, great banter and laughs aplenty, it's the place to be on a Wednesday for a rollicking good time!