About The Festival of New Theatre

The Festival of New Theatre is a celebration of bold new stories and the artists creating them. Presented by Isaac Theatre Royal in partnership with Rollicking Entertainment, the festival showcases original works by playwrights from across Ōtautahi and the wider South Island through professionally supported staged readings.

Across the festival, audiences are among the first to experience brand-new theatre brought to life by talented actors, with scripts in hand and the creative possibilities still unfolding.

There's a particular magic in hearing a play before it fully exists. The 2026 Festival of New Theatre invites audiences into that early, electric moment: where the words are fresh, the ideas are daring, and the future of Aotearoa New Zealand theatre is taking shape on our stage. Whether you attend a single reading or immerse yourself in the full weekend programme, you'll experience new stories at the very start of their journey.

More than a presentation of new work, the festival creates opportunities for connection, learning and creative exchange. Alongside staged readings and audience feedback forums, the festival weekend will include workshops, panel discussions and networking opportunities for artists, audiences and industry professionals.

For participating playwrights, the festival is an important step in the life of a new work - providing the opportunity to hear it performed, engage with audiences and become part of a wider community of theatre-makers.