"Many groups like ourselves are still struggling to get back to pre-Covid membership levels, so we have lost a couple of our regular show hosts," said Director Caroline Bruner Cuff.

"So we are putting out a call to any new groups interested in partnering with us to treat their members to a great night out, while raising funds for their group at the same time."

"Matuku Community Theatre is true community theatre. All the cast and crew are volunteers, the show content is put together by the group, with rehearsals well underway for this year's show. We are keen to continue the legacy of giving back to the community by having local groups as our audience," said Ms Bruner Cuff.

Show dates available are Friday and Saturday nights: 18-19 August, Fri & Sat 25-26 August, and Fri 1 Sept.

Contact stgsumernz@gmail.com to book a night.

The group agreed on a theme "Sumner Lovin" representing the community's interests after participants shared their thoughts and recommendations. Numerous programs were suggested and listed, with attendees eager to join in the creative process.

The Ideas Night also welcomed new volunteers, allowing theatre fans to demonstrate their skills, from backstage help to acting and directing.

Sarah Mankelow, president of the group, expressed gratitude for the community's continuous support and for the Ideas Night participants who actively submitted suggestions for future performances.

The evening was a great success, leaving everyone eager for the following performances. With such a passionate and inventive community, 2023 should be a fantastic year for theatre.

Tickets include supper and a complimentary glass of bubbly, with live music from local band Baysix, and demonstration dances from Sumner Ballroom Dance School.

"Its a wee bit ironic that now that the mandatory mask-wearing is lifted in most public places that the first thing we do is throw a masked event, but we hope everyone will embrace the idea," says group President Sarah Mankelow.

"Its been a hard couple of years for our community and our theatre company and we hope this will be a fantastic, glamourous fun night, as well as raising necessary funds to cover our storage costs."

The new community centre does not have storage space for the theatre company's costume collection gathered over 50 years. Following a call for help in the Bay Harbour News, Ferrymead Lions came forward and offered the use of a board room in their 'Lion's Den' for our costume storage needs.

"However we still need to raise additional funds to cover the rent," says Ms Mankelow.

"It is significantly less that paying for commercial storage but it's still an additional cost that we are struggling to meet following two years of Covid-related impacts so we hope this black tie event will bring us back into the black. "

Tickets are available online.

Group President Sarah Mankelow says Matuku Community Theatre is open to anyone that wants to get a taste of performing and has a long history of acceptance.

The group has been going for over 50 years in the heart of this beach-side community, putting on an annual cabaret show to raise funds for local community groups.

Brian Donovan was a member of the group from 1987-1990 and remembers it as one of the most enjoyable episodes of his life.

"While I was not much of an actor, pretty hopeless at singing and dancing, I was welcomed into the group which produced some of the best amateur productions of any comparable groups in Christchurch," says Mr Donovan.

"Lighting, props, costumes and live music were top class. Some of the performers, particularly the women produced some dazzling dance routines. The Rocky Horror show was one of the more memorable. We also supported other theatre groups like Halswell by going to their shows," he said.

"I also have memories of the things that did not go so well, and one was an occasion where my on stage companion in one show had imbibed too many whiskeys before hand and his dialogue was nothing like in the script. I had to play along and try and get to a cue which brought on the chorus, but it was a struggle and the scene was extended a bit longer than it should have. I still remember coming off stage drenched in sweat as I had no idea where the scene was going to end up!"

Mr Donovan went on to perform for other local theatre companies but credits his time with Sumner Theatre Group for the confidence to be able to improvise on the go.

"My last theatrical stuff was actually for Excaliburs Theatre Restaurant in Gloucester St I was employed as a floor service character where you improvised in your character and interacted with the customers. I loved this!"

Sumner Theatre Group changed its name in 2019, to connect to their new home in the Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre. Sign-up night is Sunday 15 May at 7pm.

Join us for our auditions and sign-up night: 

Sunday, May 15 at 7pm

Matuku Takotako: Sumner Centre

Our Winter 2022 show is two-part extravaganza – a variety-style for the first half, followed by an original short play that’s a hilarious trip to the future featuring aliens and space. 

No need to prepare for the audition. Our process is fun and inclusive. We have an open chorography session to see how you move, a little bit of singing to check out your range, and some script reading. 

Rehearsal nights are Sundays & Mondays from May-August. 

We can’t wait to see you there!

About Matuku Community Theatre: Previously known as Sumner Theatre Group, MCT changed our name in 2021 to better reflect the company’s new home in the Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre. 

We are open to anyone over the age of 16 who are willing to commit their time and energy to the art of theatre in a company with true community spirit. 

Join us for a fun night out on World Theatre Day 27 March - get a team together to celebrate the essence, beauty, and importance of theatre arts, and the positive impact that community theatre has on life and wellbeing.

Our QUIZMASTER is ex-All-White (member of the first team to play at the World Cup) and vintage Sumner Theatre Group member Bobby Almond!

Categories include musicals and theatre, Film & TV, popular and kiwi music; and we’ve thrown in sports and general knowledge rounds, so bring your non-theatre friends!

With pop-up performances from our Matuku Community Theatre cast, be prepared to be entertained, confused, bewildered and rewarded!

Tickets limited and table service so we can carry on within red light Covid settings. Cash bar and your ticket includes a light supper.

This event is a fundraiser to go towards finding a new home for our currently homeless wardrobe collection. Helps us finance digs for our frocks and dancing shoes....

Tickets on sale online now!

We are back to celebrate our love of song and dance and CHRISTMAS to bounce back from all the challenges life throws at us!

"It's safe to say its been a pretty tough two years for our little community theatre," said president Sarah Mankelow.

"After two years getting reinstated into our new facility, then a year with no shows, having the lockdowns come in after opening weekend was pretty devastating to say the least."

"After all the hard work our cast and crew put into the show, they were all pretty gutted. We didn't want to waste those efforts so this Xmas Show will be bringing back some of those pieces, intermixed with some old Christmas favourites."

"We are also excited that our guest performers are all happy to come back - Yvette WIlliams, Symptomatic and Firefly Belly Dancers. We are also joined this time by local duo 'Eastside' featuring Mark Lane on guitar and vocals, and Helen Reddecliffe on keyboard, who will play for the second half of the evening."

The current covid climes have hit the group quite hard financially as well, so this night is a fundraiser for the group.

"It will be a cash-only bar and bring along some change for the raffles as well as we have some great prizes."

Tickets are strictly limited so that we can stay within Government Guidelines for Level 2. Masks required in the foyer and gathering areas and scanning in required. It will be table service for food and drink orders but we hope once seated you can relax and enjoy a fun evening.

BUY your ticket online!

Matuku Community Theatre (previoulsy known as Sumner Theatre Group) proudly presents:

Sing | Dance - Love | Laugh - Surf |Dream

A Cabaret-style fun and frivolous variety show of songs, dances, skits and surfing.

"We have returned to a variety show format, based on feedback from some of our regular audiences," says Group President Sarah Mankelow.

"It's inspired by our desire to keep singing and dancing despite the trials life throws our way. We have a small but dedicated cast this year and we hope our audience will join us on the tunes they know and love."

"In true variety style, we are thrilled to be joined on stage by local troope Firefly Belly Dancers, Barbershop quartet ‘Symptomatic’ and Brighton's Yvette Williams." said Ms Mankelow. 

The show will be a mix of songs and skits that are the standard for the group. It will culminate in a 30-minute original play based on the Sumner Single Fin Mingle, but 100 years into the future.

Three nights are fundraisers for local groups; Ferrymead Harriers, Zonta and Ferrymead Bays Football Club.

"Ferrymead Harriers have been in our audience for 12 years, Ferrymead Bays even longer. We are proud to be able to support local groups with thier own fundraising efforts as well as bringing the joy of theatre into their lives!"

Four nights will help support Sumner Hub for their koha workshop project, which enables places on art, pottery, bike and plant-powered workshops to be offered for a gold coin donation.

Support your favourite local charity or club while having a great night out!

Ticket prices range from $20-$40 with most nights available online.

Venue: Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre, 14 Wakefield Avenue, Sumner

Friday and Saturday nights from 13 August – 5 September

8 pm – 10 pm

Licenced bar and food available on the night.

Group President Sarah Mankelow said sign-up night is about finding out about the group, showing your moves, and singing auditions for those that wish to share their voices.

“We took a break from the stage last year due to Covid so we are raring to return. It takes a whole community to put on a show, so there is always room for your contribution, on stage or off, helping out with make-up, wardrobe or staging.”

If you think you’ve got what it takes, we’d love to meet you,” she said.

The group has been going for over 50 years in the heart of this beach-side community, putting on an annual cabaret show to raise funds for local community groups. But historic records reveal that Sumner has been home to local dramatics for nearly 100 years.

That long history is being celebrated this year with an exhibition of photos, stories and costumes in the foyer of the Centre.  The exhibition will be formally opened at 7pm on the same night.

“By joining our group you are becoming part of a legacy of community theatre in Sumner. We are so excited to pull back the curtain on our history and present this to you”.

The Sumner Theatre Group prides itself on being a close-knit group, open to all kinds of talent, as reflected in the eclectic style of cabaret they put on each year. They will be putting on 8 shows for 2021, in the Puro-nuku hall.

“Join us for the exhibition opening at 7pm and then stay to audition this Sunday at 7.30pm and get a taste of what belonging the most social theatre group in Christchurch is like!” says Sarah.

Sumner Theatre Group changed its name to Matuku Community Theatre recently, to reflect its new structure and new home in Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre.

It’s Showtime! – an exhibition celebrating the history of community theatre in Sumner is being officially opened at 7pm Sunday 2 May by Councillor Sara Templeton. It will run for 6 weeks in the foyer areas of Matuku Takotako Sumner Centre.

Sign-up and auditions will be held from 7.30pm Sunday 2 May in the Puro-nuku Hall.

I'm pleased to say that Hannah Snelling, Bev Mills, Doug Pratt and myself are all staying on. Missy Mendoza who joined last year is also continuing in her role, and she has the dubious honour of having joined the group in a year we didn't peform a show! Needless to say, she is looking forward to our show season with much enthusiasm.

I'm really pleased to introduce to you our new membes who join the executive team - Natasha Di Michele as secretary and Ana Tatana as Treasurer.

Some of you will remember Natasha from her guest spot of choreography for "Kiss Me" for our 2019 show. Ana is completely new to the group and comes with great qualifications, as she works as a chartered accountant. She recently moved to Christchurch from Invercargill so was looking for a way to meet new people as well as give back to her new community. Lucky for us, she picked our group to join!

Ana will be at our exhibition opening on 2 May so please make her feel welcome in our usual way.