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In the Theatre, catch Scorned by Peter Burman, a solo spectacle where a shattered heart retaliates in velvet fury, transforming grief into seductive, spiralling power. For one night only, catch Mark Bulos Live: Fake Nostalgia, a dreamy, pop-funk farewell bursting with jazz-soaked grooves and bittersweet longing. And, don’t miss Bull Rush for your weekly dose of improv comedy.
In the Studio, catch Asian Comedy Takeover with Jess Karamjeet and a fresh mix of Pan-Asian stand-ups for a one-night comedy takeover.
When his heart is shattered, a young romantic unravels, not quietly, but in fury and velvet. Haunted by the legendary women who taught him how to suffer beautifully, he wages a seductive, spiralling war against grief itself, transforming heartbreak into a spectacle of power, vengeance, and desire.
Mark Bulos Live: Fake Nostalgia
10 September, 8pm. Theatre.Auckland jazz graduate, guitarist/singer-songwriter, and producer Mark Bulos performs a special farewell show at Basement Theatre — his final performance in Auckland before relocating to Brisbane, Australia.
Blending dreamy textures, jazz harmonies, and pop-funk grooves with a nostalgic flair, Mark brings his self-produced debut album FAKE NOSTALGIA to life — a “musical déjà vu” evoking yearning for moments never lived, shaped by faded neon dreams and imagined memories.
Joined by a stellar band of accomplished musicians and fellow jazz graduates, this one-night-only performance will feature lush arrangements with infectious energy.
Drawing inspiration from artists like Tatsuro Yamashita, Toshiki Kadomatsu, Yellow Magic Orchestra, Cocteau Twins, Prince, and Casiopea, the evening will feature original songs and select Japanese city pop inspired covers — delivered with tight grooves, rich harmonies, and dynamic improvisation.
Asian Comedy Takeover
12 September, 8.30pm. Studio.The Asian Comedy Takeover is back! A line-up comedy night with some of your favourite Pan-Asian comedians in Tāmaki taking the stage at Basement Theatre.
– Hosted by Jess Karamjeet, with more acts to be announced!
PACSA (Laughs) aka the Pan-Asian Comedy School Aotearoa, trains Pan-Asian creatives in the art of stand-up comedy. For more information, visit @pacsa_laughs on IG or jess-karamjeet.com
Bull Rush
12 September, 10pm. Theatre.No Friday night will ever be the same again.
With a roster of Tāmaki Makaurau’s best and brightest performers, expect spit-take- worthy gags, epic stories, heartbreaking tales, and live improvised music at Bull Rush.
So gather your mates for a night of never before seen, totally made up, improvised comedy every Rāmere Friday.
Mess with the bull, feel the rush.
Since 2020, Bull Rush have been making it up as they go. With several seasons (Jingle Bull(Rush), Ghoul Rush, 1822) under their belt, these self-professed improv nerds know how to put on a bloody good show.
Winners of Best Improv Group at the 2024 NZ Comedy Guild Awards, among other accolades (not to brag.
Running Into The Sun
16 – 20 September, 8pm. Theatre.A high octane performance with two actors, a three piece jazz band and four contemporary dancers.
It’s graduation night. Ash and Mary discover they are pregnant. A flash flood hits their hometown. The war crimes overseas accelerate and become more horrifying.
Running into the Sun arrives home in Aotearoa after a breakthrough debut at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe, winning Best Theatre and Best Emerging Company.
Craig and Renee Do It! (Comedy)
18 – 20 September, 6.30pm. Theatre. Choose What You Pay.They say never date a comedian, but Craig and Renee were never great at taking advice. ‘Craig and Renee Do It! (Comedy)’ is a stand-up comedy show about a comedy couple who joke together, laugh together, and roast together. Craig and Renee share stories about their four-year relationship, from getting together during the pandemic, to gigging as a comedy couple. They will share stories, analyze the audience’s relationships, and offer advice to solve their problems. Are they qualified to give advice? Maybe. Will it be incredibly crack up? Absolutely.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job
18 September, 8.30pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay.Which comedian can cut a job in the “real-world”?
There’s plenty of people who will say ‘comedy isn’t a “real job”’ but this is the only show which tests comedians to see if their capable of doing anything else.
Confession
23 – 27 September, 8pm. Theatre. Choose What You Pay.An anxious Mary navigates the chaos of growing up — friendship, romance, overwhelming Catholic guilt and a hot dentist.
Join Rachel Brebner in her latest solo show at Basement Theatre, a heartfelt and hilarious journey for anyone who’s ever felt caught between who they are and who they were told to be.
Pussy Play
23 – 27 September, 6.30pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay.She’s got nine lives. Time to heal them all.
Meet Indigo – sultry, sharp-tongued, and slightly unhinged – as she navigates the terrifying business of putting a shattered self back together. With her enigmatic pussy Evie in her lap, she’s ready to face the darkness with black humour, dangerous vulnerability, and more than a little messy mischief.
Sultry, subversive, and surprisingly healing, this is recovery reimagined. Through mesmerising puppetry and theatrical alchemy, Pussy Play seduces audiences into the shadows before pulling us back into the light.
It’s a provocative exploration of re-membering that’s equal parts vulnerable and fierce, funny and devastating, sexy and sacred. It’s therapy disguised as a magic show. It’s a raw heart wrapped in fur and armed with claws.
Prepare to laugh in all the wrong places, bite your bottom lip in the right ones, and walk away strangely intoxicated by hope.
Pussy Play: Puppetry, music, magic, and the audacious art of becoming whole again.
Support Basement Theatre, supporting artists, supporting a vibrant Tāmaki Makaurau.
Basement Theatre is where the ideas, artists and arts leaders of tomorrow are being formed. We are hell-bent on supporting artists to develop their craft and build sustainable careers. We need your help to make this happen and there are a number of easy ways you can support us.
You can choose to make a one-off donation or set up a recurring donation to support our mission for a sustainable sector.
