Introduction to the 2026 Season | Jonathan Bielski

On Thursday 22 September 2016, the ASB Waterfront Theatre opened and a new era for Auckland Theatre Company began. In 2026, we look back with deep gratitude on 10 years of our own theatre. The vision of a big stage for drama was a decade in the making. Our beautiful home is an extraordinary platform where theatre-makers can play and dream, creating productions of scale. A gala fund-raising night in September will officially mark the moment.

I am particularly excited by the new partnership with Auckland Live, which turbo-charges our capability in 2026, and send a special mihi to Daniel Clarke, the Director of Performing Arts, for sharing our desire to fulfil the potential of the ASB Waterfront Theatre as our home.

Our year opens with a return season of Shane Bosher’s extraordinarily successful production of Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express, adapted by Ken Ludwig. 

It is 30 years since the world premiere of Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland by Hone Kouka MNZM (Ngāti Porou, Ngāti Raukawa, Ngāti Kahungunu) commissioned by the then New Zealand International Festival of the Arts. It has been one of the most loved New Zealand plays of the last three decades. For this anniversary, we come together with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and Tawata Productions to create a new production for audiences in both Wellington and Auckland.

Following 11 years as Artistic Director of Silo Theatre, Sophie Roberts debuts with Auckland Theatre Company, creating the world premiere of Helen Clark in Six Outfits by Fiona Samuel MNZM. Clark is a towering figure in the story of Auckland and the New Zealand political landscape. This play delves into the personal sacrifices and compromises it took for Helen Clark to secure power. Samuel has wittily satirised the obsession with Clark’s appearance by framing her journey with six iconic ensembles of clothes and hairdos. It is funny, nostalgic and unflinching. The great Jennifer Ward-Lealand CNZM plays Helen Clark.

Our partnership with Auckland Live means we can expand our programme to present a production by Sydney Theatre Company as a special extra show in our season. RBG: Of Many, One by Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) is one of the most successful shows STC has ever produced. It is a biographical play about progressive feminist icon and jurist Ruth Bader Ginsburg, made extraordinary by a star turn from Heather Mitchell AM, who, alone on the stage, plays RBG from 13 to 87 years of age and 33 other characters.

Niuean writer-actor-comedian Vela Manusaute (Niue: Mutalau, Hakupu) returns to his Island childhood in a searing and confronting journey around his father in Sons of Vao. For this world premiere, we empty the stage to produce a production of exquisite simplicity. I am particularly excited to welcome back to our Company, after a long absence, the acclaimed actor Beulah Koale (Samoa: Sala’ilua, A’ele. Tuvalu: Nanumea) as Vao.

I continue my Shakespearean tragedies jag with Macbeth. Making his debut with our Company, Mark Mitchinson will be our Thane of Glamis and, as the power behind the throne, the ever-brilliant Sara Wiseman will be a frightening Lady Macbeth.

The musical Cabaret has never been more apt to the times since its premiere 60 years ago than now. It will be produced in collaboration with Auckland Live and directed by our Artistic Associate and Casting Director, Benjamin Kilby-Henson. The Emcee will be played by Matu Ngaropo (Ngāi Tūhoe, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Porou) who stormed as George Washington in Hamilton, and Sally Bowles by Nomi Cohen, who has just come off a stunning run as Roxie Hart in Chicago. Cabaret is packed with some of the greatest songs of the musical stage as it asks the spectator to examine their complicity in the rise of authoritarianism and anti-Semitism.

 

 

In our 33rd season, we are, as ever, deeply grateful for the public sector support we receive from Creative New Zealand and the community of Tāmaki Makaurau via Auckland Council.

We are indebted to the many private individuals and families who support our work with gifts, large and small. In particular, I offer heartfelt thanks to the Friedlander family, the Tindall family, the Youth Company Supporters and the ATC Patrons Group.

The Masterclass Project, a new initiative which brings an international theatre practitioner to Aotearoa, gets under way with the acclaimed UK playwright Simon Stephens joining the Company in February for an intensive week of teaching and sharing. We are indebted to Cynthia Braithwaite and Peter Macky for their generous gift, and to the British Council for support through their Connections Through Culture Programme.

Engaging and inspiring young people sits at the heart of our Company. Samuel Phillips leads this work for us and, while 2025 was our most-attended schools programme ever, 2026 will be even bigger with some 10,000 learners seeing our shows. This expansion is made possible by by the long-term support of Foundation North and Tindall Next Gen. Our fifth cohort of the Youth Company will appear on the mainstage in Macbeth as we continue to prepare youngsters for a life of making theatre. It is the most rewarding thing we do – usher in the next generation of artists and audiences.

The year ahead promises a bevy of stage hits, a celebration of our theatre home and a year of powerful storytelling. Join us for the 2026 season. This is your theatre company. Everyone is welcome.

Jonathan Bielski 
Artistic Director & CEO