The Liberal Agenda – Basement Theatre

0
91
Kia ora Basement whānau,

Ko tēnei te wiki o te reo Māori. Haere mai ki te Basement Theatre i tēnei wiki mo te kanikani me te kata!

In the Theatre, catch Running Into The Sun, a visceral, unforgettable fusion of theatre, dance and live jazz that explores hope, loss and what it means to be alive right now. And, don’t miss Bull Rush for your weekly dose of improv comedy hosted by Tom Clarke.

In the Studio, catch Craig and Renee Do It! (Comedy), a sharp, hilarious, completely unscripted look at love, lockdowns and life, performed by a comedy couple who don’t hold back. Also, catch Don’t Quit Your Day Job, a comedy panel show hosted by Hoani Hotene.

Mā te wā,
Basement Theatre x

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.

- Sponsor Promotion -

Running into the Sun arrives home in Aotearoa after a breakthrough debut at the 2024 Melbourne Fringe, winning Best Theatre and Best Emerging Company.

Book Now
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.
Book Now
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.

Book Now
Bull Rush
19 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.

Book now
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.

Book Now
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.

Book Now
Vampire Werewolf Spidermonkey
24 September, 8.30pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay.
Guys. It’s finally happening. After ten years, Live Reel is headed to Forks!!!

That’s right. It’s time to find out if Team Jacob or Team Edward will reign supreme when six of Auckland’s funniest comedians try to recreate ‘Twilight’ from memory live onstage in 75 minutes.

This September Live Reel presents Vampire Werewolf SpiderMonkey– a completely improvised and misremembered retelling of Twilight by various Twi-hards and Fang-heads.

So hold on tight spider monkeys and come along on September 24th for a night of vamps, wolves and baseball…if they remember to do the baseball.

Featuring Liv Parker, Liv McKenzie, Bailey Poching, Tom Clarke and Nicko Vella.

Hosted by Nicky Vella.

Book Now
ROADKILL: The Uber-Cool Musical
24 – 27 September, 6pm & 8pm. The Slab. 
ROADKILL: The Uber-Cool Musical takes you on a wildly immersive journey through love, life and rock ’n’ roll — all from the back seat of a van. This intimate one-man musical combines humour, heart and unforgettable tunes for an experience like no other.
Strap in for the rollercoaster ride of your life as we take a regular mundane occurrence of driving in an Uber and blow wide open the private life, memories and miss happenings of our hero, and driver, Terry.

Carpool karaoke, meets intense love story, meets wild murder mystery.
Much more than a musical, its an experience, its a journey and an attraction!

Winner of BEST IN FRINGE and EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR at the Dunedin Fringe and Winner of MOST INNOVATIVE at the NZ Fringe awards this year!

With only 9 seats available each ride, grab your mates and have a private experience in the fast lane!
The hottest ticket in town- be sure to experience the ride of your life!
The van will be stationary and parked outside The Basement Theatre for this season.

Book Now
Hot New Jokes
26 September, 8.30pm. Studio.
Hot New Jokes is back by popular demand after a sold out August show! Get ready for a night of fresh material and bold new bits from some of Aotearoa’s finest comedy talent. Hosted by the hilarious Liv McKenzie with sets from crowd favourites:

Line up:
Liv McKenzie (MC)
James Mustapic
Jack Ansett
Kura Forrester
Cori Gonzales
Guy Williams

Book Now
Monster Of The Week with ATC Youth Company And A Slightly Isolated Dog
01 – 04 October, 7pm. Theatre. Choose What You Pay.
ATC Youth Company presents
MONSTER OF THE WEEK by A Slightly Isolated Dog
1 – 4 October 2025 | Basement Theatre

What begins as ironic binge-watching slips into obsession.

In the cult 90s teen series Monster of the Week, a new girl battled demons, mean girls, and the apocalypse — one episode at a time.

Decades later, five friends in Auckland discover the long-lost VHS tapes. As they binge through the night, the neon camp of 90s TV begins to seep into their own lives.

Monster of the Week drifts between eras, genres, and realities — a cult meta-horror and a study of the stories we carry with us.

Written and directed by A Slightly Isolated Dog (Our Own Little Mess, Jekyll & Hyde) Monster of the Week will be brought to life by Auckland Theatre Company’s Youth Company.

Book Now
Akane
04 October, 5.30pm. Studio. Free.
Experience the Spirit of Tradition, Reimagined.

Step into a world where ancient melodies meet the pulse of modern expression.

Join Akane, Auckland’s own Japanese traditional music ensemble, for an unforgettable evening of sound, rhythm, and culture.

Formed in 2018, Akane brings together the haunting vocals of a Utaite, the electrifying energy of the Tsugaru shamisen, the delicate notes of the Shinobue bamboo flute, and the thunderous heartbeat of Wadaiko drums. Each performance is a powerful blend of authenticity and innovation— celebrating Japan’s rich folk heritage while infusing it with Akane’s bold, distinctive style.

Free
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.

DONATE
Or sign up to our Basement Mates membership programme that gives you some sweet perks and backs the mahi we do for independent artists.
BECOME A BASEMENT MATE
Facebook
Facebook
Twitter
Twitter
Website
Website
Instagram
Instagram