The Hannah is proud to present a full, wild and striking calendar of events, shows, and development works across multiple disciplines and genres.
Browse upcoming seasons below. Click through to read more and book tickets.
Wellington Opera: Mate Ururoa
A true story of the heroism and humiliation of Captain Roger Dansey, a Māori soldier on the frontline of a European war, Mate Ururoa is an urgent new chamber opera from legendary New Zealand composer Dame Gillian Whitehead (Ngāi Te Rangi, Tūhoe).
First Draft
From 15-17 August, The Magnificent Weirdos is teaming up with writers in the early stages of creating new work to present rehearsed readings of these works in progress for the public, followed by audience kōrero with each writer/creator.
All the work is created by writers and devisers with lived experience of disability, neurodiversity, d/Deafness or mental distress.
Raybon Kan — RAYBONANZA!
A stand-up show 31 years in the making. Award-winning comic Raybon Kan celebrates his 31st anniversary in stand-up with his greatest hits show Raybonanza.
Amélie the Musical
Following the success of its critically-acclaimed 2019–2022 UK production, which earned a GRAMMY® nomination and three Olivier Award nominations, Amélie the Musical now makes its Aotearoa New Zealand premiere in Pōneke Wellington at the Hannah Playhouse this November 13 – 30, 2025.
Lōemis: Bleed Out
Two of Aotearoa’s best contemporary dancers and music by the acclaimed composer David Long come together for one night only at the Hannah. A collaboration between Georgia Beechey, Luke Hanna, and Miranda Manasiadis.
Lōemis: Flashpoint :: Synapse
Flashpoint :: Synapse is an arresting new suite of music by Justin Firefly Clarke that delves into human perception and the formation of impressions and memories. Performed against a backdrop of total darkness, musicians are illuminated by a synchronised array of lights that focus on each individual performer.
Lōemis: Bret McKenzie and the State Highway Wonders
Snuggle up in the Hannah Playhouse for an unforgettable midwinter’s evening with award-winning musician and comedian Bret McKenzie and his incredible eight-piece band The State Highway Wonders.
Lōemis: Waypeople
Waypeople is a sonic and visual journey through ancient philosophical texts that are at once solidly pragmatic and profoundly mystical. Music originally commissioned by and debuted at Wellington Jazz Festival 2023,Waypeople was a stand-out music experience at the Hannah Playhouse as part of NZ Fringe 2025. This new development incorporates live visual art for a multi-sensory experience of the Tao.
Kia Mau: A Nightime Travesty
A Nightime Travesty... an epic First Nations vaudevillian musical nightmare that is equal parts sardonic, cheeky and heartbreaking. It’s a non-stop riot of music, parody and political punch – a fever dream that feels like Babes in the Wood on acid. With explosions, zany costumes, gruesome decapitations, existential horror, Blak humour, romance, genocide and a live band, there’s something for everyone at this perpetual party floating in our neglected psyches!
Kia Mau: Ka Tito Au
Explorer. Navigator. Legend. Multiple pūrākau thread together to celebrate Kupe’s discovery of Aotearoa. His love for his people, his dreams and his heroism, lead to a climactic battle with a giant Wheke. Ka Tito Au is a stream of rich poetic consciousness, presented by Toi Whakaari: NZ Drama School.
A new play by acclaimed poet, playwright and composer Apirana Taylor (Ngāti Porou, Te Whanau-a-Apanui, Ngāti Ruanui, Pākehā). In 2024, Apirana was awarded the Prime Minister’s Literary Award for Poetry.
Revel
Wellington’s hottest night out is back with a sizzling new show for 2025! After the smash-hit debut of REVEL in 2024, Inverted Citizens is bringing Wellington’s premiere cabaret experience to a whole new level with a sparkling production at the Hannah Playhouse this May.
More than just a show, REVEL combines variety acts, bespoke cocktails and live music to bring Aotearoa’s very own world-class cabaret to life. Audiences can expect a sparkling feast for all the senses in this evening full of surprises; it’s the must-see event on the city’s calendar this year.
Nish Kumar: Nish, don’t kill my vibe
Following a UK election – with the country in turmoil – there’s only one comedian who can kill the mood even further…
Nish Kumar – one of The Guardian (UK) and The Telegraph’s (UK) 50 Best Comedians of the 21st Century – brings his brand new politically-charged stand-up show, Nish, Don’t Kill My Vibe, to Australia and New Zealand following a sell-out UK tour.
Expect jokes about climate collapse, income inequality and the emotional sensation of being a British Indian man who didn’t vote for a British Indian Prime Minister. Sweet, sweet vibe killing.
An evening without Kate Bush
Enter Strange Phenomena, howl with The Hounds Of Love and dance on the moors with Wuthering Heights. Kate's not there – but you are.
Following multiple tours across the UK and Australia, this award-winning cult cabaret pays glorious tribute to the music, fans and mythology of one of the most influential voices in pop music.
“Force of nature” (London Theatre 1) Sarah-Louise Young invites you to release your inner Bush in this joyful, unique, and mind-blowing show.
Ruby Wax: I’m not as well as I thought I was
Following a triumphant sell-out West End run and UK tour, Ruby Wax's critically acclaimed show is touring Australia and New Zealand—don’t miss her most daring, hilarious, and unfiltered performance yet!
Based on her bestselling book, I’m Not As Well As I Thought I Was, Ruby shares with audiences her deeply personal journey through transformative experiences such as swimming with humpback whales, a silent retreat, and time at a Christian monastery. With her celebrated combination of wit and vulnerability, Ruby masterfully dismantles stereotypes around mental health and happiness.
Suitcase Show
A traveller arrives at a border with a stack of battered cases. From within them, whole worlds will emerge…
Suitcase Show is an eclectic box set of short stories. Dark, spiky, and comic, each one is told out of a suitcase. The staging is inventive, from lo-fi shadowplay to wireless projection, from dancing disembodied hands to narratives that crackle from a 70s stereo suitcase. Tiny in scale, but expansive in story, it touches on climate change, love and death, travel, and secrets that we carry with us – an overthrown autocrat finds themselves on the run from their own shadow, an astronaut turns their telescope back on earth and back in time.
The Spinoff book club
The best way to enjoy a book is by yourself, the second best way is with a theatre full of people. Books editor Claire Mabey and special guests will chat about some of their favourites from the year past, and their recommendations for the year to come.
Deva Mahal
A rare combination of masterful songwriting and breathtaking vocal talent, Deva Mahal was born with blues in her blood.
Beginning from her upbringing in Kaua'i, Hawaii to discovering her voice in New Zealand, it's there where she solidified her vision of becoming an artist. During this time Deva toured domestically and throughout the world, gracing the stages of the Hollywood Bowl, Carnegie Hall, Bonnaroo, Later with Jools Holland, the Civic Theatre, TSB Arena, WOMAD NZ, Splore, Big Day Out, the Montreal Jazz Festival, SXSW Festival (named the "#1 Best New Band at SXSW 2018"), Byron Bay Blues Festival, North Sea Jazz Festival, London Jazz Festival along with many other esteemed events and venues.
With new music on the way, Deva Mahal's festival closing night show, is not to miss!!
Louisa Williamson: The chasm where we fall into each other
The Chasm Where We Fall Into Each Other is a captivating musical journey into the unknown. At the bottom of the chasm, we explore the idea of the divide, both literally and figuratively. This performance invites audiences to engage with the complexities of connection, vulnerability, and discovery.
This performance features original compositions by Louisa Williamson, crafted specifically for the musicians joining her on stage. Louisa's composing reflects a commitment to radical authenticity and honesty, giving all of the musicians on stage an opportunity to bring their unique voice to the music. Expect a combination of jazz, hip hop, soul, classical, and electronic sounds.
Sameena Zehra: Work in Progress
I’m playing with the seed of a new thought. There will be some raging at love songs (honestly, wtf is that noise) which may wreck the (frankly, delusional) nostalgia of first-romance mixtapes. Or make you wonder if, this whole time, patriarchy and love and toxic positivity have just been a salt soaked paper cut in your fricking eye. Look, it’s in progress, exploratory, unfinished. Might be dark. Might be hilarious. Might be codswallop. Probably all three. Come find out. Or don't; I'm not here to force people into having fun.
Roadkill: The uber-cool musical
The world premiere of a full one-man musical performed inside of a fully kitted out, parked, party van.
Strap in for the rollercoaster ride of your life as we take a regular mundane occurrence of driving in an Uber and blow wide open the private life, memories and miss happenings of our hero, and driver, Terry.
Hausdown
Siblings and hosts, Lord Edwin Hausdown and Lady Louisa Hausdown, have this year invited several of their most beloved, amusing, (and eligible) companions to take the COUNTRY AIR! On the guestlist are their cousins, Lord Edward Lapthorn and Captain August Lapthorn, the Duke and Dukess of Cuntcliffe; Louisa’s childhood friend Lady Beatrice Swoonsworth, Baroness of Delusiomont, whose many engagements usually keep her from attending; and finally the untitled, but nonetheless well-connected, Harriet and Susan Girthshire. This party finds itself in a comedy of bemuddled hearts.
Waypeople
Waypeople provides a sonic accompaniment to the Tao Te Ching, an ancient Chinese text of great philosophical and spiritual importance that has become a guide to people worldwide. This groundbreaking music captures the spirit and intent of Tao Te Ching, bringing the wisdom, humour and powerful spirituality of this remarkable text to life with a talented musical ensemble from Aotearoa, New Zealand.
Led by saxophonist/composer Jake Baxendale, sung by Chelsea Prastiti and anchored by the guzheng (Chinese string instrument), played by the renowned performer Jia Ling, Waypeople is a listening experience that will resonate with audiences long after the final notes sound.
Iris Little: The Nature Project
After setting the stage alight at the Silver Scrolls, Te Whanganui-a-Tara, singer-songwriter and storyteller Iris Little is ready to share a new interlinked cycle of songs and poems that ask us to reconsider our relationship with, and disconnection from, the natural world.
Regarded as one of the leading lights in the capital’s refreshed young indie folk, jazz, and neo-soul scenes, Little’s spellbinding stage presence, magnetism, and distinct, emotionally honest voice has won over audiences around the motu, North America and Europe. Along the way, they’ve toured, performed, and recorded with Bret McKenzie, Deva Mahal, AJA, Mā and ONONO.
Richard Dowling: D.I.N.K.
Irishman Richard Dowling is child-free, asset-poor, and memory-rich. In his comedic storytelling hour, Richard reflects on the years of pressure to conform to societal and familial expectations.
Dowling weaves his anecdotes thoughtfully, taking the audience along on his journey. From the tiresome questions posed by friends and family to adventures at underground wrestling shows, D.I.N.K. is not just a celebration of a life with no kids and disposable income.
Tecuani
The sacrifice is nigh The Nemontemi ceremony approaches as Mētzili counts down the days, hours and minutes to her imminent death. A strange voice grows stronger, calling for her to escape into the wild and embark on a perilous journey across the treacherous jungle of Lakam Tum.
An immersive sensory experience providing an intriguing, powerful and stimulating synergy of movement, voice, spatial design, mask and virtual technologies. The work brings to the forefront a story of reclamation looking at the past to re-imagine the future. Drawing from Nahuatl (Mexican indigenous) poetry and exploring ways to translate these poems through a contemporary lens.
Messy Friends
Explore the world of this dynamic and innovative drag collective that fuses lip-sync, burlesque, dance, and documentary-style videos to create a unique "Drag-u-mentary" experience. Fresh from their acclaimed Edinburgh Fringe season, they have captivated audiences worldwide with its blend of vibrant performances, striking costumes, and deeply personal storytelling.
The Spinoff Live: The Fold
Duncan Greive, The Spinoff founder and host of New Zealand’s biggest (maybe only?) media podcast The Fold, pulls together some of our smartest media minds for a very special live episode.
A Gathering: Stroma + The Jac
Two of Wellington’s most beloved musical ensembles, Stroma and The Jac, join forces to explore the hinterlands where jazz and classical music collide. Featuring immersive, arresting works by New Zealand’s own compositional talents Callum Allardice, Justin ‘Firefly’ Clarke, Lucy Mulgan and Jasmine Lovell-Smith, together with top international names in experimental jazz and electropop, Anthony Braxton, Carla Bley, Anna Webber and Laurie Anderson.
Soapbox ‘Spectacular’
A fabulous late night series finale following Soapbox 'Open-Mic' and Soapbox 'Deluxe' comes SOAPBOX 'SPECTACULAR'! Wellington's biggest celebration of women and non-binary performers featuring comedy, drag, music, poetry, circus and burlesque in an extra sparkly evening of starlets. One night only!
Antonio!
Antonio! is a queer punk pirate musical starring Shakespeare's ultimate love interest. What if Shakespeare wasn’t just reusing a character name, but instead was inspired by one proudly queer pirate stealing hearts and booty on the high seas? Antonio takes the stage with his live band ‘The Fools for Love’ to reclaim his stories in this queer punk pirate musical not to be missed. He’s not bitter: he’s getting even!
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