8.30am on a drizzly Monday morning in downtown Tāmaki Makaurau Auckland for the breakfast launch of Auckland Theatre Company’s 2026 season might sound like quite a big ask but ‘something’ told me there was ‘something’ pretty good in the offing so, armed with our new pink umbrella and more than a tad (good 1970’s theatre word) of anticipation, Cushla and I toddled off to the ASB Waterfront Theatre to see just what the ‘something’ might be.
Being met at the door by Marketing Director (Kaitohu Tauhokohoko) Terri was a tip top start. Her smile warmed my heart. There followed lovely kai and hot coffee with much chat about children with an old mate, and also with a new one, to happily break the ice. A lectern and screen augured well of things to come, and I began to feel quite positive. It’s no reflection on the event that I needed a screen that quietly murmured ‘2026 Season’ to make me feel at ease. The event oozed muted class but I’m an introvert and people like me often need a bridge to cross to get from unwarranted and illogical unease to a playing field of social comfort, and, in this case, good solid technology was my ticket to tranquillity on the day. My son describes my form of introversion as ‘highly socialised’ which is true, but any apparent social skill I might appear to have doesn’t mean I don’t need three days of therapy after meeting someone new.
However, so far so good.
But enough about me.
Artistic Director and CEO Jonathan Bielski welcomed us in tidy te reo and proceeded to deliver a masterclass in professional communication, A brief introduction covered the history of the company – Mercury Theatre through to today – a clear and impressive outline of the current infrastructure – rangatahi, schools, the second unit, patronage, stakeholders, the youth company, training for the future, and the vital importance of subscribers – a comprehensive overview delivered with clarity, confidence, and the quiet self-assurance of a man who knew he was in the right place at the right time doing exactly the right thing.
Impressive?
You bet!
Then came to release of the 2026 programme.
Best I copy and paste from the official document because that’s rather like Bielski’s speech – comprehensive, content rich, visually scrumptious, and deeply nuanced. I like that the material didn’t scream ‘give us your money’ but it didn’t pretend that this is all done gratis either and there are links to where this important information can be found.
I’m a fan of acknowledgement and there’s plenty of that – patrons, donors, sponsors, stakeholders, and partners are all listed as they bloody well should be.
And there’s a comforting litany of them.
So, 2026 …
Auckland Theatre Company is thrilled to reveal the 2026 show line-up, featuring seven enthralling productions in a season that showcases two exceptional world premieres, the return to presenting a musical, plus a wellspring of stage-hits that includes a revival of a beloved Māori work, a powerful Pasifika piece, and the continuation of a Shakespeare work at scale.
Following a sold-out season in 2025, Auckland Theatre Company will launch the year with the reprisal of Agatha Christie’s play of intrigue and mystery, Murder on The Orient Express. Starring Cameron Rhodes as Detective Poirot, the play is the fastest selling production ever for the Company with audiences demanding a return season.
In collaboration with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and Tawata Productions we celebrate the return of one of New Zealand’s most-loved plays, Hone Kouka’s Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland, creating a 30th anniversary production for audiences in Auckland and Wellington.
The 2026 year proudly includes two world premieres: Helen Clark in Six Outfits by artistic virtuosoFiona Samuel and Sons of Vao by groundbreaking, Niuean writer Vela Manusaute.
Two powerhouse celebrities of stage and screen, Sara Wiseman and Mark Mitchinson tackle the classic Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth with deft aplomb.
After an eight-year hiatus, 2026 sees the return of an iconic musical to Auckland Theatre Company with one of the world’s most celebrated musicals, Cabaret in a bold new production by uber talented director, Benjamin Kilby-Henson.
The iconic sold-out Australian production of the smash-hit RBG: Of Many, One, produced by Sydney Theatre Company, comes direct to Auckland. Award winning Australian actress Heather Mitchell stars as the puissant Ruth Bader Ginsburg (and 33 other characters) in this brilliant solo performance.
Auckland Theatre Company is particularly excited to be partnering with Auckland Live for Cabaret and RBG: Of Many, One, which Artistic Director & CEO, Jonathan Bielski says; “Will turbocharge the Company’s capabilities in 2026 expanding our season to seven productions.” Commenting on the alliance, Daniel Clarke, Director of Performing Arts at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, leading Auckland Live says “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to ensuring Tāmaki Makaurau continues to thrive as a hub for world-class performing arts. From an internationally acclaimed production to a bold new staging of Cabaret, audiences can expect something truly extraordinary.”
In a significant milestone it is the 10th year anniversary of the opening of the ASB Waterfront Theatre, Bielski said; “Our beautiful home has given us an extraordinary platform where theatremakers can play and dream and we look forward to celebrating next year with a bevy of stage hits and powerful storytelling as we invite audiences to join us for an unmissable season of entertainment.”
Here’s a link to 2026 Season imagery:
and a trailer to watch:
THE SHOWS:
Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express
Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig
7-22 Feb
One murder, eight suspects, and a wild ride that’s about to go off the rails. The classic that birthed an entire genre comes to the stage in the first show of the year.Cameron Rhodes(King Lear, North by Northwest) reprises his role as the inscrutable Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s iconic whodunnit, supported by a killer cast including Jennifer Ludlham and Mayen Mehta. The fastest selling show in Auckland Theatre Company’s history, audiences literally demanded to see it again.
Waiora Te Ūkaipo – The Homeland
By Hone Kouka
6 – 22 Mar
Originally presented over 30 years ago at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, Wairoa is a significant play in our cultural history as the impact of colonisation and urbanisation during the mid-60’s is challenged within one family unit. As disharmony surfaces the whānau are confronted with decisions between life past and future.
Auckland Theatre Company will partner with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and Tawata Productions for the 30th anniversary of Waiora Te Ūkaipo – The Homeland this Autumn.
Helen Clark in Six Outfits
By Fiona Samuel
7-26 Apr
The world premiere of Helen Clark in Six Outfits is a satirical, humorous play fashioned on the life of former Prime Minister, Helen Clark while the nation became equally fixated with her appearance and personal life during her rise as New Zealand’s first elected female Prime Minister during her term as one of the most powerful women on the political stage.
Commissioned by Auckland Theatre Company, to be directed by former-Silo Artistic Director Sophie Roberts, written by Fiona Samuel and starring the highly accomplished and brilliant, Jennifer Ward-Lealand Helen Clark in Six Outfits is a must see.
RBG: Of Many, One
By Suzie Miller
20 May – 7 Jun
Presented by Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live.
Based on the life of US lawyer and former Associate Justice to the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG: Of Many, One by Sydney Theatre Company comes direct to Auckland following a return season in Australia.
Ginsburg was a groundbreaker in the American judiciary and a fierce advocate for gender equality and reproductive rights. Her life is brought to the stage by Olivier Award-winning Australian playwright, Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) and played by the astonishing Heather Mitchell.
Sons of Vao By Vela Manusaute
18 Jun – 5 Jul
Sons of Vao by Vela Manusauteis a truly powerful and moving Pasifika play that centres on the lives of three brothers who revere their father but equally seek to escape his formidable influence. Sons of Vao is directed by the extraordinary actor/director, Anapela Polata’ivao and stars lauded actor Beulah Koale.
A world premiere, Vela Manusaute’s autobiographical Adam NZ Play Awards winning script will make you laugh, cry and cogitate all at once.
Macbeth
by William Shakespeare
28 Jul – 16 Aug
Arguably one of William Shakespeare’s most famous and critically acclaimed tragedies, Macbeth is known for its exploration of ambition, evil and fate.
Following recent hit revivals on the West End and Broadway, this bold new production by director Benjamin Kilby-Henson (Romeo & Juliet, The Effect) brings Shakespeare’s potent words to blood-curdling life.
Starring a stellar cast including screen legend Mark Mitchinson as the tormented Macbeth alongside the splendid Sara Wiseman as the ambitious and manipulative Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is impossible to miss.
Cabaret
Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander and Lyrics by Fred Ebb
22 Sep – 18 Oct
An Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live Production.
The world-renowned musical Cabaret has never been more apt to the times since its premiere 60 years ago than now. Produced in collaboration with Auckland Live and directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, the Emcee will be played by Matu Ngaropo who excelled as George Washington in Hamilton, together with Nomi Cohen who stars as Sally Bowles following her shining turn as Roxy Hart in the recent production of Chicago.
Packed with some of the greatest songs of the musical stage Cabaret closes the 2026 season in fabulously, decadent style.
Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking
But don’t forget 2025 isn’t over, there’s still Witi Ihimaera’s Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking. For as long as Māori and Pākehā have shared Aotearoa, Tiri has walked with us all.
Tiri: Te Araroa Woman Far Walking is an extraordinary mapping of Aotearoa through the eyes of Te Tiriti o Waitangi Mahana. Her story, our history.
The ATC website tells us that the creator of acclaimed The Haka Party Incident, Katie Wolfe (Ngāti Mutunga, Ngāti Tama) directs this new adaptation of Witi Ihimaera’s epic tale of Tiri Mahana, a 185-year-old matriarch, from her birth at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi to present-day Aotearoa.
With award-winning actors Miriama McDowell (Ngāti Hine, Ngāpuhi) and supported by Nī Dekkers-Reihana (Ngāpuhi, Te Rarawa, Ngāti Porou), audiences are invited to a play for the whole whānau where Tiri wants us all to remember that the good things, the right things in life, are worth fighting for.
Woven into a deeply emotional tapestry celebrating wāhine Māori and the emergent rangatahi who will take Aotearoa forward, Witi Ihimaera’s (Te Whānau a Kai and Ngāti Porou) extraordinary play will shine once again in this astonishing new production: a national treasure that continues to resonate across time and place.
Kua whatua ki te takapau o aroha, ka piata anō mai tēnei whakaari whakahirahira a Witi Ihimaera i tēnei whakaaturanga mīharo tuatahi, he tāonga puiaki o te motu e pāoro tonu nei ā haere ake nei.
“The tide of time recedes when the moon wanes, sucking at the surf, but my memory is still with those who have gone.”
Me again, hello …
I’m not easily impressed but this programme has absolutely knocked my socks off. It’s rich, it’s celebratory, it connects us with our whakapapa as a country, reminds us of who we are in the world via the never-ending threat of creeping fascism, of our complex Pasifika heritage, it honours our actors and our theatre makers, our literary giants, and, in the form of Macbeth, the classics get a run as well.
I am excited for the future and equally enthused for the present. Bielski and his team are absolutely at the top of their game, they’re doing it all for us, and at a level equal to anything anywhere else in the world.
Proof?
You can get a glass of wine at the ASB Waterfront Theatre without having to mortgage your house.
But not with breakfast, that would be a bridge too far. In the amazing goody bag, yes, but that’s for afters.
Frankly, I can’t wait!
For the shows, maybe even for the wine.
Cheers!
dykiegirl 