Hooves & Chooks
Chooks Cabaret x Rebound Dance
EXTRA SHOW ADDED DUE TO POPULAR DEMAND
Friday 3rd 7.30PM & Saturday 4th July . 3PM & 7.30PM . Lyttelton Arts Factory
One explosive night of award-winning dance and comedy cabaret. Human horses and feminist fowl collide in the wildest double bill of the festival as Rebound Dance join forces with Chooks Cabaret.
Rebound led by Fleur de Their, has been entertaining audiences around the country for seventeen years and this festival will be remounting (pun intended) the second half of their shit show ‘Unbridled; a day at the races’ with a new rendition of human horsiness, 'Hooves'. Six years on and these nags are certainly not ready to be put out to pasture.
And then from multi-award winning mischief maker Tessa Waters, creator of The Feminist Clown Posse comes Chooks Cabaret - a riot of clowning, comedy and physical theatre. Created by the truly nutty ensemble of Waters alongside Kate Finnerty, Andy Brigden, Emma Brittenden, Mary Davison, Libby Fraser and Emma Newborn. Equal parts absurd, political and joyfully unhinged, this high energy cabaret smashes the fourth wall with big moves, big laughs and even bigger heart.
These shows are the kind that make you feel like you’ve been a part of something wild, weird and wonderful, leaving you laughing, buzzing and maybe even hatching a new perspective. So grab your mates and kick off the festival with a hoot!
“The best live show of 2025” - The Press
‘Easily the best show of the year’ - Flat City Notes
Feminist Clown Posse
Tuesday 7th . Wednesday 8th . July . 7.30PM . Lyttelton Arts Factory
Step right up for a wild, whip-smart roller coaster of ridiculousness with Feminist Clown Posse’s annual gala! Smashing the patriarchy one pratfall at a time, this is no ordinary clown act. Think less birthday party bouffon, more glitter-fuelled revolution.
A chaotic crew of feminist fools crash on the stage in a raucous tornado of slapstick, satire and subversive silliness. These clowns are loud, proud and politically charged, using physical comedy as their weapon of choice in a joyful battle against oppression and conformity. It’s bold, it’s bawdy and completely bonkers.
Feminist Close Posse are a 27-clown-strong clan of glorious idiots from across Ōtautahi who have been working tother since 2023. Led by multi-award winning mischief maker Tessa Waters.
Now over two big nights due to popular demand. This one sells out each year so book to avoid disappointment.
Palaver
Hosted by Shay Horay with Special Guest Tom Trevella
Thursday 9th July . 7.30PM . Lyttelton Arts Factory
Verb. To talk unproductively and at length.
Noun. The Palaver Grand where Shay Horay has the pleasure of interviewing world class entertainment legends.
Palaver is Ōtautahi/Christchurch’s version of Graham Norton.
Entertainment stalwart Shay Horay’s latest creation is an intimate and off the wall evening of Palaver. Where he is joined by a variety of world class celebrity artists. It’s conversational and unpredictable and it’s your chance to get to know our celebrity special guests up close and personal. So far in the Palaver history books we have heard first hand about Deacon's (What We Do in The Shadows) struggle with goat stealing, Marlon Williams told us all about his first meeting with Lady Gaga and Wilson Dixon shared the realities of having a jealous horse. Who will be in the hot seat this time? Get your tickets to find out!
STARS Lyttelton
Shay Horay
STRICTLY LIMTED TICKETS LEFT
Saturday 11th July . 7.30PM . The Loons
It’s time once again for the iconic Stars 2026 talent quest.
Come and support your friends or cheer on the amazing everyday legends that enter and give it their all. Contestants sing live on stage with our allstar house band put together by Jules Blewman. All hosted by the master himself Keith Preene (aka Shay Horay).
This show sells out every year without fail, so grab your tickets now while you still can. It’s the best night out this winter!
ATTENTION!
........For the first time this year we have an after party in the downstairs bar at The Loons directly after the show.
Pierre & Randy’s
Game Show Roulette
Dan Pengally and Criss Grueber
Saturday 18th July . 7.30PM . Lyttelton Arts Factory
"Messy, outrageous and wildly entertaining"- Theatreview.
This is a gameshow unlike any you have ever experienced before. Pierre & Randy host a fast and furious show of challenges where you, the audience, have the chance to compete and win prizes. From trivia knowledge, guessing games and lyric challenges, to singing, dancing and dating, there is a round for everybody!
This show runs on "consensual competition" so audience members are given opportunities to take part and win, they are also more than welcome to not partake and just sit back and enjoy the chaos. Any rounds that don't excite participation, simply won't be done and we move onto the next. Having a good time however, is mandatory.
Adult themes, references and naughty words guaranteed.
"It is gleefully ridiculous, gloriously inappropriate and everyone is completely committed to the bit...It feels like a party from beginning to end. It’s the shared sense of “anything could happen” that makes the night feel so alive". - Theatreview
"A winning format that runs at a breakneck pace"- Flat City Field Notes