The Court Theatre, Christchurch, New Zealand, is a two-venue producing company which produces at least eight main-stage productions and four kids' shows a year on its main stage, Court One, plus five or six shows in its studio space, The Forge at the Court (formerly known as Court Two). The company is housed within Christchurch's Arts Centre (once the University of Canterbury), in the old Engineering Department.

History

The Court was founded in 1971 by Yvette Bromley QSM and Mervyn Thompson. In its first five years, it had no true home but moved from venue to venue as spaces became available. In 1976 it moved to the Arts Centre and has been there ever since. Elric Hooper MBE was the Court's longest-serving Artistic Director, from 1971-2000.

Court One

Overview

Court One seats 291 in a semi-thrust style space. It has no flying capabilities, a very shallow, wide stage, and a fixed lighting grid above the stage and auditorium. There is no upstage crossover (unless designed into the sets) and access from one side of the stage to the other is via the "tunnel" which travels under the auditorium. It is a very intimate venue, with the audience in close proximity to the stage. Court One presents a mixture of New Zealand work, modern international work and classics, including one musical a year. Children's shows are also presented on the Court One stage every school holidays, working on the set of the current main-stage production.

Technical information

Lighting control is via a Strand 520, with a Strand 301 as backup desk. The large lantern stock is almost exclusively Selecon, with the exception of parcans, two RDS effects projectors and some RDS cyc units. Dimming is via 10 Theatrelight digital dimmer packs, giving 120 channels of dimming.

Sound is almost exclusively limited to playback, which is run from Sound Cue System off a dedicated PC. The annual musical is the only time radio mics are ever brought into the theatre.

Court One has a full-time staff of two technicians and two stage managers, a workshop team of four, props mistress and wardrobe department of two.

The Forge

Overview

Up until 2007, The Forge was known as Court Two and acted primarily as a receiving venue for touring and independent productions, with only the occasional Court production in the space. Since its re-branding, The Forge has produced its own, more challenging works than are found in Court One, with the intention of attracting a new, younger theatre audience. It seats 123 in a "box" style, with the audience sitting on two sides of the stage.

Technical information

Lighting is controlled by a Theatrelight Cuemaster 120, driving three Theatrelight digital packs. Lantern stock is varied, from new Selecon units right through to Strand Pattern lanterns. Sound is again almost exclusively playback, run off minidisc or CD.

The Forge has its own full-time technician (who is also the lighting and sound designer) and a props/set designer/constructor. Wardrobe design and construction is contracted out to freelance practitioners.

The Court Jesters

The Court Theatre has a troupe of professional improvisers and corporate entertainers, the Court Jesters. The Jesters perform around the country as well as running regular workshops and presenting what is New Zealand's longest-running comedy show, Scared Scriptless, which is an improv show running every Friday night at The Court.

Tours

The Court undertakes a tour annually, usually around the South Island, taking professional theatre to regional centres. A schools' tour also happens annually, taking theatre to primary school students around Christchurch.

External links

• The Court Theatre
• The Court Jesters