Tēnā koutou! Nau mai haere mai ki te hōtaka Hotoke me Matariki ō Basement Theatre.
Our 2024 Winter & Matariki season features a wellspring of gutsy makers presenting outstanding works. Gather ‘round to see breathtaking shows that hold you close, share stories from across generations, fill your wairua cup and help you find light in the dark.
When Matariki ✨ Mata’ali’i ✨ Mataliki ✨ Matari'i Ni’a ✨ Mataiki ✨ Matai'i ✨ Makaliʻi ✨ light up the sky, dazzling Tangata Whenua and Tangata Moana artists will be at the heart of our season as part of a glittering four-week line-up. Seven jaw-dropping works from an array of art forms will bring us together, to acknowledge the past, embrace the present and imagine the abundant promise of the future.
Retreat to Basement Theatre this Winter and get amongst Tāmaki’s village square for urgent convos, future friends and cosy camaraderie. We’ll save you a seat from June 4!
MATARIKI - 18 June - 13 July
TUAKIRITEA 18-22 June, Huia Max and Reon Bell present a compilation of scenes, experiences, waiata, poems, ideas and kōrero that discusses and deconstructs what it means to be Māori in modern-day Aotearoa.
A Reading of Marmite & Honey - By Rainton Oneroa 20 June, seeks to understand our complexities surrounding grief, so that we can reflect on how we deal with loss.
Ko Au 20-22 June, a mini festival that will platform Projekt Team's fundamental pillars of freestyle, battle, and showcase.
The Tiwhas: A Matariki Spectacular 02-06 July, Āotearoa's favourite drag girl group present a cabaret-style show full of laughs, waiata, colourful costumes and smooth choreography.
futureANCESTORS 04-06 July, badapple presents a three-night showcase of dance, comedy and poetry, from queer Māori and Pasifika creatives in Tāmaki Makaurau.
Tangihanga 09-13 July, Wahanui Productions presents a drama-comedy about a Karanipa/grandfather who passes away and his whanau travel near and far to attend his tangi held at the Marae.
DEATHDROP SHABLAM 09-12 July, The House of Coven brings you a dark satire comedy Devised Theatre and dance show that combines performance art with the essence of ballroom culture for the ultimate kata the show offers a twisted and humorous take on the world of ballroom. + Matakiki Vogue Night 13 July
WINTER - 04 June - 14 June & 16 July - 31 August
The Gaza Dialogues 04-08 June, a mini-cultural festival fostering engagement with Palestine featuring drama, music, dance, and poetry.
V7 Unplugged: Tiny Fala Concert 04-08 June, ten different Māori and Pasifika artists from across Tāmaki Makaurau jam your favourite homegrown artists in a studio live session on a tiny fala.
Wink 11-15 June, by US playwright Jen Silverman is a dark comedy about the thin veil between our capacity for civility and savagery.
Brooks Playreadings 12-14 June, three readings of new works by Sam Brooks, including the 2024 Adam NZ Play Award winner.
Chrome Dome & Schizo 16-20 July, after a sell-out season in 2022, the cast of the original production comes together again to bring you a story of real love between an unreal couple, living with psychosis but making it sexy (or at least bearable), and trying our hardest not to die alone.
Only Bones 23-27 July, contains silly physical theatre met with captivating design and soundscapes. Daniel utilises every part of their elastic body from teeth to toes, accompanied by a playful lightbulb that seems to have a mind of its own.
Skate or Die 23-27 July, a group of boys find themselves stuck in the PlayStation game Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 2. To get out alive they must pass each level.
A Short History of Asian NZ Theatre 30 July - 03 August, Nathan Joe directs a problematically Pan-Asian rollercoaster ride through Aotearoa’s murky cultural memories, theatrical milestones and personal histories.
The Play That Gets Louder 31 July, A playreading about the alternate history war story of four young men, all soldiers, who find themselves stuck together in a farmhouse. Directed by Theo Shakes.
Jez & Jace: Lads on Tour 06-10 August, an improvised comedy from the hilarious duo Ginge & Minge. Join them as they pay homage to their bogan brothers and an exploration of their experiences growing up queer in rural Australia and Aotearoa.
For You To Know and Me To Find Out 06-10 August, solo dance narrative from multi-disciplinary artist Liv Tennet. Delve into matrescence, transformation, and the existential quest of one woman grappling with the possibility of having it all...and the question of what "all" actually is.
Midnight Confessions 20-24 August, an experimental anthology piece about love, loss, and the power of female friendships. Come into our pillow fort and relish in the joys of girlhood.
Toe Fai! 27-31 August, through verbatim storytelling, monologue and movement, Emele Ugavule weaves together a narrative that asks ‘What are the implications of AI technologies dissolving our procedural memory?” bringing together stories across generations, choreographed by dancer and choreographer, Selina Alefosio.
ANTi 27-31 August, a new work in development by Keagan Carr Fransch, ANTi lays bare the challenges at the intersection of immigrant experiences, religious faith, and queerness.
