Free Theatre Christchurch

As a professional art theatre, Free Theatre offers a unique experience for artists and audiences not catered for by local commercial theatres or the theatres that imitate them. Over its thirty-six year history a wide range of artists, including poets, filmmakers, sculptors, writers, musicians, dancers and actors, have collaborated within the Free Theatre to create cutting-edge performance work in a diversity of spaces. From the start the emphasis has been on non-verbal action and high production standards, discouraging the star system and encouraging long rehearsal and training periods in a company context. The company is the first arts organisation to return to the restored Arts Centre of Christchurch. From its new venue - The Gym - Free Theatre offers an Education Programme (weekly classes, workshops and seminars) and Ubu Nights (Friday night events combining performance and hospitality) alongside its contemporary new works programme.