Nau mai haere mai ki ngā whakaari hou i tēnei wiki!
In the Theatre, catch The Dry House, an emotionally searing and darkly comic show about love, loss, and the immense redemptive power of hope.
In the Studio, catch Bull Rush, the award-winning improvised comedy show where spit-take-worthy gags and epic, never-before-seen stories make every Friday night unforgettable.
Mā te wā, Basement Theatre x
The Dry House
4 – 15 November, 7.30pm. Theatre.Two sisters, one last drink. In the Irish border town of Newry, Chrissy promises Claire that after four cans of lager she will go to the dry house to get sober. Does she mean it this time?
Profoundly moving and darkly comic… Follow the sisters’ fractured relationship as they navigate addiction and grief.
- Sponsor Promotion -
An emotionally searing new family drama about love, loss and the immense redemptive power of hope.
Hekerua Bay Productions (who brought you WINK in 2024) presents the NZ premiere of the acclaimed show with a stellar local cast.
Bull Rush
7 November, 10pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay.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).
yes and also no, subject to xyz, fine print applies
13-15 November, 6.30pm. Studio.A captivating integration of contemporary dance and theatrical storytelling. Set to the electric melodies and guttural drums of ‘Pink Floyd’ comes an exploration of the human desire to resolve things in absolutes.
The search for black and white unravels in grey, ‘lines of categorisation’ bend — giving way to the ‘circular’.
Nuance is infinite.
“Up and down, and in the end, it’s only round and round, and round” — Floyd.
Don’t Quit Your Day Job
13 November, 8.30pm. Studio.Which comedian can cut a job in the “real-world”?
Don’t Quit Your Day Job goes into the spooky this month. Looking at jobs that all relate to Halloween. Mystics, Witches, Fortune readers. Can any of our comics take up any of those tasks 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 they’re capable of doing anything else. Through a series of quizzes and improv situations all based around one area of work, each comic will be vying to see who can walk away with the Champions title of “Employee of the Month”.
Hoani Hotene hosts, while two teams of comedians know their knowledge and improv skills to show that they’re more than just punchlines and the rule of threes. If you enjoy shows like QI and Thank God You’re Here this is the show for you!
This month we have:
James Mustapic
Joe Daymond
Liv McKenzie
Lesa MacLeod-Whiting
Asian Comedy Takeover: November
14 November, 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
A Very Dramatic Taping xox
16 November, 5pm & 7.30pm. Theatre. Sold Out.It’s the life cycle of stand up comedy – Jokes are birthed at the Basement Studio, they live on tour around the country, and they die at a special limited ticket season LIVE TAPING at Basement Theatre. Where I will clip it up and uploaded it for free on Mark Zuckerbergs Insta. What a lucky sod Mark is.
I would love your laughter, energy and connection at Basement Theatre!
One night only! Two shows back to back. Lights! Cameras! Action!
Sweeties
18-22 November, 8pm & 21 November, 6pm. Theatre. In a Squid Game meets Toddlers & Tiaras world, Brynley and Ella compete for a yummy prize. Navigating schoolyard games, frenetic choreography, and the daunting ‘Swimsuit Category’, they grapple with their profound yearning for victory. Sweeties is a twisted, sketch-comedy portrayal of our relentless quest to outdo one another.
Please note that Friday 21st November is now showing at 6pm.
Femmes and Thems Comedy
18 – 22 November, 6.30pm. Studio. Choose What You Pay. FEMMES & THEMS COMEDY IS BACK!5 NIGHTS, 5 DIFFERENT SHOWS, ALL WOMEN, ALL GENDER-NONCONFORMING PERFORMERS FROM ACROSS AOTEAROA.
TUESDAY 18TH NOVEMBER – The Original Format
A Classic line-up as Femmes & Themes fans know it! Stand-up Comedy from some of your most beloved Comedians, emerging and pro!
WEDNESDAY 19TH NOVEMBER – Muso Night!
Musical Comedians rise up! Join us for a night of musically fuelled laughter, BYO ukuleles unadvised.
THURSDAY 20TH NOVEMBER – Improv Takeover!
This isn’t your average lineup show, this is improv, baby! Think absurd characters, off-the-cuff monologues and everything completely made up on the spot by some of the cities hottest Femme & Gender-diverse Improvisers!
FRIDAY 21ST NOVEMBER – STORYTELLERS
Come sit around the metaphorical campfire with us as a lineup of storytellers take you on a journey of their silliest tales.
SATURDAY 22ND NOVEMBER – THE VARIETY SHOW
It’s a Pick’n’Mix lolly bag of your dreams! Can’t get enough of the show? We bring you Comedy, Cabaret & Chaos, all in one lineup.
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.
