Lightsabres and laughs at new Summer Theatre show
Christchurch City Council Newsline: 19th October 2026
Venture to a galaxy far, far away this January as Anthony Harper Summer Theatre returns to the Botanic Gardens.
Space Wars – The Original Trilogy takes audiences on a hyperdrive adventure that Sci-Fi fans and comedy lovers alike will enjoy. The show features three actors and a live musician and is co-created by Lizzie Tollemache, Darlene Mohekey and Dan Pengelly of Rollicking Entertainment.
“Buckle in as the four of us attempt to cover the original trilogy that started it all: Episodes IV- A New Pope, Episode V - Empire Chicken Frys Back and Episode VI - Return of the Swandri,” says Ms Tollemache.
The trio have decades of experience behind them as actors, performers and comedians, and have produced previous summer theatre hit shows The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic and The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes.
“Expect amazing live music, ridiculous impersonations, and local jokes as Fluke Skywaddler, a down-on-her-luck farm girl from Tai Tapu, gets caught up in a cosmic conflict against Darth Spader and his fascist empire.
“Because it’s an outdoor show, we’ve made it big, fast and high-energy with lots of physical comedy, live music and quick-fire costume changes,” Ms Tollemache says.
Bring your friends and whānau and a picnic to this blockbuster outdoor theatre experience at the Botanic Gardens’ Archery Lawn.
This is a free event, but koha donations will be gratefully accepted by the theatre company Rollicking Entertainment.
Evening shows have a 7pm start, and weekend matinee shows kick off at 4pm.
The season runs from 9 to 24 January 2027 but performances are not every night so mark your calendars!