Get your holiday started right at, “A Very Merry Christmas, Sumner!”

The exclusive, two-night run will sell out quickly, so get in and buy your tickets NOW!

Join us for a fantabulous night of entertainment and a sing-a-long of Christmas favourites! Enjoy great drinks, terrific nibbles, cash bar…it’s enough to make anyone feel Merry!

https://www.trybooking.com/nz/BAIR

Our ticket sales have officially gone live! So get in quick before they sell out 🙂 Tickets are available from: https://www.trybooking.com/nz/YGO or door sales will be available on show nights.

If you are a community group looking to fundraise, please have a look at our new options for booking either a full or partial show, this information is here on the website under 'Book a show for 2025'. We can't wait to see you all next month!

Date: Sunday 13th April
Time: 5.30pm doors open, quiz starts at 6pm
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Location: Armadillos Beckenham (155 Colombo Street)
Cost: $15 per person
Team Numbers: teams of 4-6 people

Email us on stgsumnernz@gmail.com to book your spot asap 🙂

Date: Sunday 22nd September
Time: 6.30pm doors open, quiz starts at 7pm
Duration: approximately 2 hours
Location: The Good Home Ferrymead (2A Waterman Place)
Cost: $15 per person
Team Numbers: teams of 4-6 people

Email us on stgsumnernz@gmail.com to book your spot asap 🙂

We have been working hard at our rehearsals getting our show ready to show to you all and our show season is rapidly approaching! Get your tickets now to come along and see what we have created this year. Lots of fun, love, laughs and the journey to finding our happy ending!

Our first show is on Friday 9th August with curtains opening at 8pm. We will have food and a bar available on site, however, due to our licensing: NO BYO drinks of ANY kind please. Cash and EFTPOS will be available at the bar. We look forward to seeing you all there!

The link to purchase tickets for the show is under the 'Book' then 'Buy Tickets' section here on our webpage.

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!