The Arts Centre
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Free Theatre has a long relationship with the Arts Centre of Christchurch and it was the company's home for several decades. Their first kabarett was performed in the Clock Tower and following the success of these early experiments in 1982 the founding members of Free Theatre built the 'Free Theatre' in the old History Lecture Theatre off Rolleston Ave (later called the University Theatre) and operated there until the Earthquakes in February 2011.
While the Free Theatre in The Arts Centre has always been the company's home base, productions were staged elsewhere in the Arts Centre and in other locations all over Christchurch. Old Queen's Theatre at 120 Hereford St and the basement space of Nibelheim located under the Old Library in the Arts Centre were used frequently in the 2000s, as well as outdoor locations such as Cathedral Square (Last Days of Mankind) and the WWII gun emplacements above Lyttelton, in nightclubs (Bakkhai/Diotek) and in shopping malls (Christmas Shopping). Post-earthquakes, the company produced work in churches (The Earthquake in Chile), former tanneries (Hereafter), workshops (I Sing the Body Electric), on the streets of Christchurch (Canterbury Tales), the Spiegel Tent (The Soldier's Tale), in Greenhouses and orchards (Ars Acustica) and in an old Miners Bathhouse (Endgame).
Explore the numerous productions that were performed in the former Free Theatre in our Archive. |
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The Gym, The Arts Centre, 2014-2018
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In 2014, the Arts Centre, under the leadership of André Lovatt, offered Free Theatre and partners the Arts Circus the first arts practice tenancy in the post-quake Arts Centre. A Category 1 Heritage building designed in Gothic Revival style by architects Collins and Harman, it was opened in 1908 as the gymnasium of Christchurch Boys High, before becoming the home of the Academy Cinema when the university moved to Ilam. Post-earthquakes, the building was stripped back to its original form and strengthened for contemporary use. As the resident company in 'The Gym', Free Theatre installed a high quality fit-out for contemporary performance and in it ran a hugely successful New Works and Education Programme including the popular Ubu Nights, and major productions such as Kafka's Amerika and The Black Rider. Around these Free Theatre works, the space was programmed for festivals and events. The Gym was an exciting destination, presenting dynamic new work that was unique to Christchurch but reminiscent of cutting-edge contemporary arts spots in city’s known for a thriving cultural scene and social life. The Gym drew together artists from different disciplines and diverse audiences, young and old, responding to and imagining a new contemporary Christchurch.
Unfortunately, Free Theatre's tenancy in the Gym in the Arts Centre was terminated by the Trust Board in June 2018. As a former Chair of the Arts Centre of Christchurch Trust Board, I see Free Theatre’s operation in the former Boys’ High, later University of Canterbury Gymnasium, as being what the Art Centre is all about. As a heritage professional, I consider that it also showcases a fantastic reuse of a one of this city’s significant heritage buildings. |
Interior of Gymnasium, Christchurch Boys High School, Christchurch. Webb, Steffano, 1880-1967 : Collection of negatives. Ref: 1/1-004026-G. Alexander Turnbull Library, Wellington, New Zealand. /records/23100780
As cultural life in Christchurch has slowly re-established itself in the post-quake years, Free Theatre's tenure at The Gym has provided a totally unique multi-purpose performance venue that has no equivalent in the city. It's brilliant to have a performance venue surrounded by the all-too-rare heritage of Christchurch's past, while looking to the future in terms of its facilities and the vision of the fine folks at the Free Theatre. |
Waldheim, Seven Oaks 2018 - 2023
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Surrounded by trees and orchards in the heart of Waltham, Free Theatre was lucky to find a temporary home at Waldheim, Seven Oaks following the termination of our lease in the Arts Centre. Waldheim is the Germanic version of Waltham which translates literally to “home in the woods”. Waldheim, Seven Oaks located at 35 Hassals lane was a site used and looked after by the local community who we often collaborated with on our projects there which included Ars Acustica, Ma Ubu Night, A Summer Night's Dream and Endgame. We also shared the site with other artists.
We were grateful for the support of LiVS (Life in Vacant Spaces) for brokering our use of this site for us while we were there. Owned by Ara Institute the land was sold in 2023 to the Ministry of Education and the neighbouring Kura Whakapūmau who will extend their kura onto the site.
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Climate Action Campus 2023-present
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We are so lucky to have a new home for our Education Programme at the Climate Action Campus. Created as a site to educate young people to meet the challenges of climate change, to find hope and to take action. We couldn't support this ethos more.
Located in Avonside on the banks of the Ōtākaro Avon River bordering the red zone, it was the former site of Avonside Girls High School which began on the site in 1919 as a satellite of Christchurch Girls High School. Previous to this it was an area of rich natural resources and a significant Ngāi Tahu site for mahinga kai. Ōtākaro translates to 'a place of game’, and was named after the children who often played on the banks of the river during times of food gathering. The Climate Action Campus is an essential home for Free Theatre where we can meet, make, create, learn, rehearse and teach and we are very grateful to the campus for inviting us to make a home here. |
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Production Design
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Over the years Free Theatre has worked with a number of different designers, including Lesley Maclean, Graham Bennett, Rudolf Boelee, Tony Geddes, Lawrence Wallen, Mark McEntyre, Peter Robinson, Richard Till, Paul McCaffrey, Chris Reddington and Stuart Lloyd-Harris. These collaborations are integral to the development of Free Theatre productions, the work evolving as a dialogue between director, designer and performers. As the names above suggest, designers for Free Theatre productions are set, visual, poster, costume or sound artists who bring to the collaboration a particular perspective that directly effects what the work becomes. Artists have also commented on the effect working in the theatre has had on their own practice.
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