The Court Theatre

The Court Theatre on Gloucester Street in central Christchurch is New Zealand's largest producing theatre company, staging around 15 to 20 shows a year in its purpose-built home within the Te Whare Tapere Performing Arts Precinct. Alongside dramas, musicals and late-night comedy for adults, there's usually a family-friendly show running, like the current interactive Winnie the Pooh production, plus a touring show that visits primary schools around the region.

Kids keen to perform can join the school holiday programmes, drama classes and youth companies on offer for ages 5 to 16, working towards a small showcase for whanau at the end of the week. The foyer has a pizza kitchen and bar for a bite before the show or at interval, and it's worth grabbing tickets online ahead of time as family shows tend to sell out.