Dunedin Arts Festival

16/06/2026

Our latest e-news is out, and it asks an important question: Who is Nicola Cheeseman, and where is she back from?

Maybe we can help…

Hic Sunt Dracones’ latest show 'Nicola Cheeseman Is Back' is on soon in Dunedin, and you may have some questions.

Apart from delivering high-quality arts festivals, we are also the fonts of all knowledge when it comes to theatre, music, cirque, and dance (so long as you’re asking questions we know the answers to…).

So, here are some questions and answers about the show:

• Is this a sequel? No. If you’re thinking that you won’t understand the show because you somehow missed the first Nicola Cheeseman play from which she is now back from – don’t panic. The “is back” refers to the character’s journey.
• Who is Kathryn Burnett, the playwright? Kathryn is an award-winning writer with numerous stage and screen credits including Under The Vines, Fresh Eggs and My Life is Murder and telefeature The Tender Trap. Her first play, Mike & Virginia’s debut season was produced by our Festival Director Charlie Unwin and directed by festival alumnus Te Radar in 2011. She also was Charlie’s creative writing teacher!
• Is this an Arts Festival show? No, but that’s only a timing thing, as the show is on in June/July and we’re not on until April. We’re keen to support arts experiences in Dunedin that we think you’ll like, as well as support our colleagues and festival friends. This is a great example of that!
• I’m unfamiliar with the venue, Te Whare o Rukutia – where is it? Te Whare o Rukutia is a great wee venue right in the centre of the city. You’ll find it at 20 Princes Street, just up from the Octagon and next door to the Community Gallery. It’s not a huge venue, so tickets really are limited!
• When is it on? 25-27 June and 1-4 July 7:30pm each night.
• Where can I find out more and how do I book? Just click on the button below. As mentioned, there’s limited space so you’re best to pre-book!

There's also information on Arts on Tour NZ Trust and The Regent Theatre's Social Animal which is on this week, a call out from Dunedin Fringe Festival for submissions to the New Zealand Young Writers Festival, and a sweet, sweet pun of course. Just click here to read more: https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/its-2026-already-17995151

29/05/2026

Amazing Good Company Arts! Well deserved!
Those of you who were lucky enough to see Pōtaka Nautilus & Pepe, and Ad Parnassum Purapurawhetū at the 2025 Festival will be aware of the great work this Dunedin company do, but for those who missed these shows - don't worry, we are already chatting about 2027...

Five new Semi-Finalist nominations for HORSES during May!

"…a living, breathing structure of sensation" Swedish International Film Festival HORSES review excerpt

Our Asia-Pacific Trilogy comes to The Arts Centre Te Matatiki Toi Ora for Matariki in July. TIGER, DRAGON and HORSES are being presented as hybrid live-digital activations with Mark de Clive-Lowe on piano and electronics, with Mahina Kingi-Kaui (taonga pūoro), and Daniel Belton (live keyed film projections). We can't wait to bring these works to Ōtautahi!

Creative New Zealand

28/05/2026

A massive congratulations to Virtual Eye - one of our amazing sponsors, who picked up an Emmy yesterday (their 5th!)!
Just shows Dunedin is world-beating!

Emmy number five, and this one was special for a ground-breaking Dunedin business. Virtual Eye (formerly Animation Research) won its fifth Sports...

27/05/2026

Nicola Cheeseman is Back and other exciting news.
How’s everybody’s winter going? It hasn’t been too bad yet, but are you managing to keep warm?
We’re keeping warm by beavering away and putting together an amazing festival for you to experience in 2027!
If you haven’t cleared these dates in your calendar yet, then here they are again so that you can cancel any trips, organise the babysitters, and start deciding your going-to-see-shows wardrobe.

We’re 2-16 April 2027.

I know that seems like a long way away (trust me, it’s not!) but remember that our new off-year Festival TAHI Ōtepoti is in October and there will be plenty of other great world-class shows to see between now and then.
So, click this link to read our latest e-news with details of some cool shows coming up in Dunedin that we know you'd like!
https://mailchi.mp/artsfestivaldunedin/its-2026-already-17994584

Hic Sunt Dracones The Regent Theatre Arts on Tour NZ Trust New Athenaeum Theatre

24/05/2026

We lost a true legend today. I (Charlie) had the pleasure of working with Dame Jools and Dame Lynda a few times, and off-stage they were even funnier than on-stage - if you can imagine that being possible.
Vale Jools, you will be missed.
Love to Lynda and the rest of the family.

Dame Jools Topp has died after a battle with breast cancer. As one half of the Topp Twins with her sister Lynda, Jools brought joy to generations...

24/05/2026

Hey everyone, here's a "wee" show on this Wednesday that may interest you.

BEN WATERS (UK) - Boogie-Woogie Piano King

Where & when? Moons in the Exchange on Wed night May 27th for tunes and yarns just $20 cash on the door from 6.30 pm show at 7-9 pm

Who is Ben Waters? Well for starters he has played with The Rolling Stones, Charlie Watts, Ronnie Wood and the Mad Lads, Chuck Berry, Jools Holland, Jeff Beck, Cher, Jerry Lee Lewis, Imelda May, Mick Hucknall, Johnny Depp, Paul Weller, plus many more!

Ben Waters is one of Britain’s most celebrated boogie-woogie and rock & roll pianists. A lifetime on stage has taken him from small blues clubs to sold-out international venues, sharing stages with legends including Charlie Watts, The Rolling Stones, and many more.
Key shattering Boogie Woogie is how the Guardian newspaper described Ben Waters playing after a concert at London’s iconic Ronnie Scott’s. Renowned for his energetic, entertaining performances, Ben’s virtuosity shines through when showcasing the early Blues, Boogie and Rock ‘n Roll of his musical heroes Fats Domino, Jerry Lee Lewis, Amos Milburn, Little Richard, Ian Stewart, Dr. John and their like.
Accolades from a brilliant career include:
· “One of the best pianists in the UK - The London Times
· “I have been a boogie fan since the ‘50s and seen pianists all over the world. None come close to Waters - Blueprint Magazine
· “Ben’s solos are full of flare and bravado” – the Birmingham Post
· “Probably the best pianist I’ve played with. - Pete Thomas sax with Fats Domino and Elton John.
· ‘Like a Bouncy Castle For Grown Ups – London Times review of a Ben Waters show.

Ben loves impromptu intimate shows allowing him, as it does, to engage the audience with entertaining anecdotes of his life “on the road” and showcase up close the playing that prompted Jools Holland to nominate him as one of his 10 favourite piano players of all time.

Check him out on Jools Holland here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U4gzAwyK8GU

Yellow Eye Ltd

04/05/2026

Happy May The Fourth.

Given that it’s May 4th, I suppose I should give this its annual airing.

30/04/2026

Performance-based initiatives by students, staff, and other members of the Ōtākou Whakaihu Waka - University of Otago community can seek support from the Division of Humanities Performing Arts Fund. Deadline for applications is Friday, 15 May.
Find more information here: https://www.otago.ac.nz/humanities/about/performing-arts-fund

30/04/2026

Carla was such a force in our industry and a friend - she will be deeply missed.

It’s with heavy hearts that today we share news of the passing of arts rangatira Carla van Zon ONZM (1952-2026).

Much-loved and respected by the arts community in Aotearoa and internationally, Carla worked for the New Zealand Festival for 20+ years including as artistic director 2002-2006. A former dancer, Carla championed the arts and artists all her life and in her roles at the Festival, Creative New Zealand and at Auckland Arts Festival, she shared her passion with audiences. She remained a close friend and mentor to our co-directors Tama Waipara and Dolina Wehipeihana, along with other staff and Board members, and she leaves behind a legacy which stretched across the world.

We will be sharing tributes to Carla on our website, festival.nz

Moe mai rā e te tuhi māreikura 🌿

23/04/2026

If you're looking for your next theatre event - or a good laugh... - 'End of Summertime' might be exactly what you need.

30 years ago, rugby-mad cow cocky Dickie Hart took New Zealand by storm with his hilarious commentary of the 1995 World Cup in 'C'mon Black'. Now Dickie's back, sharing his guide to living in the big bad city we love to hate - Auckland!

Join the irreverent, irrepressible Dickie Hart - in 'End of Summertime' by the country's favourite playwright Roger Hall, with acclaimed actor Peter Hayden as Dickie.

'End of Summertime' has recently seen full houses in Wellington, Christchurch and Auckland. Now it's Dunedin's turn for a laugh.
We need one at the moment, don't ya reckon?

https://events.humanitix.com/end-of-summertime/tickets
$30; $25 (concession & block bookings)

END OF SUMMERTIME by the country's favourite playwright Roger Hall, with actor Peter Hayden playing the irreverent and irrepressible Dickie Hart.