Auckland Theatre Company Announces 2026 Season Of Stage Hits Including A World-Renowned Musical

Auckland Theatre Company is thrilled to reveal our 2026 show line-up, featuring seven enthralling productions in a season that showcases two exceptional world premieres, the return to presenting a musical, plus a wellspring of stage-hits that includes a revival of a beloved Māori work, a powerful Pasifika piece, and the continuation of a Shakespeare work at scale.

Following a sold-out season in 2025, Auckland Theatre Company will launch the year with the reprisal of Agatha Christie’s play of intrigue and mystery, Murder on The Orient Express. Starring Cameron Rhodes as Detective Poirot, the play is the fastest selling production ever for the Company with audiences demanding a return season.

In collaboration with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of the Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and Tawata Productions we celebrate the return of one of New Zealand’s most-loved plays, Hone Kouka's Waiora Te Ūkaipō – The Homeland, creating a 30th anniversary production for audiences in Auckland and Wellington.

The 2026 year proudly includes two world premieres; Helen Clark in Six Outfits by artistic virtuoso Fiona Samuel and Sons of Vao by groundbreaking, Niuean writer Vela Manusaute.

Two powerhouse celebrities of stage and screen, Sara Wiseman and Mark Mitchinson tackle the classic Shakespearean tragedy Macbeth with deft aplomb.

After an eight-year hiatus, 2026 sees the return of an iconic musical to Auckland Theatre Company with one of the world’s most celebrated musicals, Cabaret in a bold new production by uber talented director, Benjamin Kilby-Henson.

The iconic sold-out Australian production of the smash-hit RBG: Of Many, One produced by Sydney Theatre Company comes direct to Auckland. Award winning Australian actress Heather Mitchell stars as the puissant Ruth Bader Ginsburg (and 33 other characters) in this brilliant solo performance.

Auckland Theatre Company is particularly excited to be partnering with Auckland Live for Cabaret and RBG: Of Many, One which Artistic Director & CEO, Jonathan Bielski says; “Will turbocharge the Company’s capabilities in 2026 expanding our season to seven productions.” Commenting on the alliance, Daniel Clarke, Director of Performing Arts at Tātaki Auckland Unlimited, leading Auckland Live says “This collaboration reflects our shared commitment to ensuring Tāmaki Makaurau continues to thrive as a hub for world-class performing arts. From an internationally acclaimed production to a bold new staging of Cabaret, audiences can expect something truly extraordinary.”

In a significant milestone it is the 10th year anniversary of the opening of the ASB Waterfront Theatre, Bielski said; “Our beautiful home has given us an extraordinary platform where theatremakers can play and dream and we look forward to celebrating next year with a bevy of stage hits and powerful storytelling as we invite audiences to join us for an unmissable season of entertainment.”

THE SHOWS:

Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express

Adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig

7-22 Feb

One murder, eight suspects, and a wild ride that’s about to go off the rails. The classic that birthed an entire genre comes to the stage in the first show of the year. Cameron Rhodes (King Lear, North by Northwest) reprises his role as the inscrutable Hercule Poirot in Agatha Christie’s iconic whodunnit, supported by a killer cast including Jennifer Ludlham and Mayen Mehta. The fastest selling show in Auckland Theatre Company’s history, audiences literally demanded to see it again.

Waiora Te Ūkaipo – The Homeland

By Hone Kouka

6 - 22 Mar

Originally presented over 30 years ago at the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, Wairoa is a significant play in our cultural history as the impact of colonisation and urbanisation during the mid-60’s is challenged within one family unit. As disharmony surfaces the whanau are confronted with decisions between life past and future.

Auckland Theatre Company will partner with the Aotearoa New Zealand Festival of Arts, Te Ahurei Toi o Tāmaki Auckland Arts Festival and Tawata Productions for the 30th anniversary of Waiora Te Ūkaipo – The Homeland this Autumn.

Helen Clark in Six Outfits

By Fiona Samuel

7-26 Apr

The world premiere of Helen Clark in Six Outfits is a satirical, humorous play fashioned on the life of former Prime Minister, Helen Clark while the nation became equally fixated with her appearance and personal life during her rise as New Zealand’s first elected female Prime Minister during her term as one of the most powerful women on the political stage.

Commissioned by Auckland Theatre Company, to be directed by former-Silo Artistic Director Sophie Roberts, written by Fiona Samuel and starring the highly accomplished and brilliant, Jennifer Ward-Lealand Helen Clark in Six Outfits is a must see.

RBG: Of Many, One

By Suzie Miller

20 May - 7 Jun

Presented by Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live.

Based on the life of US lawyer and former Associate Justice to the Supreme Court Ruth Bader Ginsburg, RBG: Of Many, One by Sydney Theatre Company comes direct to Auckland following a return season in Australia.

Ginsburg was a groundbreaker in the American judiciary and a fierce advocate for gender equality and reproductive rights. Her life is brought to the stage by Olivier Award-winning Australian playwright, Suzie Miller (Prima Facie) and played by the astonishing Heather Mitchell.

Sons of Vao By Vela Manusaute

18 Jun – 5 Jul

Sons of Vao by Vela Manusaute is a truly powerful and moving Pasifika play that centres on the lives of three brothers who revere their father but equally seek to escape his formidable influence. Sons of Vao is directed by the extraordinary actor/director, Anapela Polata’ivao and stars lauded actor Beulah Koale.

A world premiere, Vela Manusaute’s autobiographical Adam NZ Play Awards winning script will make you laugh, cry and cogitate all at once.

Macbeth

by William Shakespeare

28 Jul – 16 Aug

Arguably one of William Shakespeare’s most famous and critically acclaimed tragedies, Macbeth is known for its exploration of ambition, evil and fate.

Following recent hit revivals on the West End and Broadway, this bold new production by director Benjamin Kilby-Henson (Romeo & Juliet, The Effect) brings Shakespeare’s potent words to blood-curdling life.

Starring a stellar cast including screen legend Mark Mitchinson as the tormented Macbeth alongside the splendid Sara Wiseman as the ambitious and manipulative Lady Macbeth, Macbeth is impossible to miss.

Cabaret

Book by Joe Masteroff, Music by John Kander and Lyrics by Fred Ebb

22 Sep – 18 Oct

An Auckland Theatre Company and Auckland Live Production.

The world-renowned musical Cabaret has never been more apt to the times since its premiere 60 years ago than now. Produced in collaboration with Auckland Live and directed by Benjamin Kilby-Henson, the Emcee will be played by Matu Ngaropo who excelled as George Washington in Hamilton, together with Nomi Cohen who stars as Sally Bowles following her shining turn as Roxy Hart in the recent production of Chicago.

Packed with some of the greatest songs of the musical stage Cabaret closes the 2026 season in fabulously, decadent style.

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