The Hannah: A new era, a new look
The Hannah: A New Look, A New Era
Wellington's iconic theatre unveils bold new identity
An icon of the capital’s performing arts scene steps confidently into an exciting new era this July, as The Hannah reveals a striking new visual identity to champion its renewed kaupapa.
The Hannah Playhouse, re-emerges with a refreshed brand. The Hannah: Theatre & Performance Lab, is a creative engine room dedicated to performance, experimentation, and professional development for Aotearoa’s boldest and most independent theatremakers.
Celebrating this vital refresh with a gala showcasing a whole spectrum of Pōneke’s professional performing arts talent, The Hannah celebrates a collaborative effort that brought together the Wellington City Council’s City Events team, The Hannah Playhouse Trust, and a team of handpicked creative freelancers. At the heart of the process were past and present General Managers, Isobel MacKinnon and Eleanor Strathern, whose knowledge of the independent performing arts sector alongside the venue’s history and potential helped guide the transformation.
The new brand honours The Hannah’s legacy — a Brutalist landmark designed by James Beard and Raymond Boyce MBE and the long-time home of Downstage Theatre — while embracing its future as a laboratory for original, provocative performance. With a refreshed visual identity by designer Lily Paris West, the result is a vibrant, contemporary face for a venue that has long been a crucible for creativity.
“The Hannah has always been a space where artists take risks, try new things, and push the limits of performance,” says Eleanor Strathern. “Now, with this new identity, we’re putting that spirit front and centre — and inviting the public to arrive curious.”
Home to a flexible 243-seat theatre in the beating heart of Wellington, The Hannah is unique in its commitment to both presentation and development. Its programme includes live theatre, dance, music, comedy, and multi-disciplinary work — as well as residencies and rehearsal support for the creation of new performance. Approximately half of its annual use is dedicated to the development of new works.
As a partnership between The Hannah Playhouse Trust and Wellington City Council, The Hannah represents both legacy and possibility. With this rebrand, the result is a bold, contemporary identity that reflects both the venue’s cultural significance and its renewed purpose as a hub for live performance, artistic ambition, and community connection.
Join us in acknowledging The Hannah’s transformation and follow her journey into a new era of performance, ambition, and creative exchange.
ENDS
For media enquiries, images, or interview requests, please contact:
Eleanor Strathern
General Manager, Hannah Playhouse
Website: https://www.hannahplayhouse.org.nz/
Instagram: @hannahplayhouse
Facebook: @thehannahplayhouse