logo
Sold-Out Hit Returns: Murder On The Orient Express Back On Stage Feb 2026

Sold-Out Hit Returns: Murder On The Orient Express Back On Stage Feb 2026

Scoop30-04-2025
Press Release – Elephant Publicity
With just a handful of single tickets left for its current season, Auckland Theatre Company's Murder on the Orient Express has officially become the biggest box office hit in the company's history.
Now, due to overwhelming demand, audiences will have a second chance to climb aboard the world's most infamous train. The return season of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express, adapted for the stage by Ken Ludwig, will play at the ASB Waterfront Theatre from 7 – 15 February 2026.
Tickets are on sale now. All aboard – again!
Directed by acclaimed theatre-maker Shane Bosher, this spectacular production plunges audiences into the glamorous and dangerous world of 1930s Europe. With its full-throttle mix of intrigue, danger, rich period detail and sharp humour, the show has struck a chord with Auckland theatregoers and critics.
'Murder on the Orient Express is a delightful piece of entertainment, two hours of pure escapism produced to the highest quality, and the exact type of blockbuster-esque theatre it would be great to see more of.' – NZ Herald
'With a set that dazzles, a cast that delights, and direction that keeps things snappy — providing everything right there on the stage.' – Blackguard Media Reviews
'This Murder on the Orient Express manages to get the balance of the story just right, paying homage to the brilliance of Agatha Christie while expertly using comedy and a light-hearted irreverence to create a crackingly good whodunnit.' – Andrew Whiteside
'…pure, unadulterated entertainment.' – NZ Arts Review
'A madcap romp of a whodunnit full of red herrings, high drama and hijinks; escalating to a very Agatha Christie climax.' – Red Raven
The production features a killer cast led by the iconic Cameron Rhodes as Hercule Poirot, joined by an ensemble of Aotearoa's finest: Rima Te Wiata, Jennifer Ludlam, Mirabai Pease, Sophie Henderson, and Bronwyn Ensor, with Mayen Mehta, Ryan O'Kane, Jordan Selwyn and Edwin Wright rounding out the lineup of suspects.
Agatha Christie's masterpiece remains one of the greatest whodunnits ever written – a locked-room mystery packed with unforgettable characters, jaw-dropping twists, and exquisite suspense. And in this sumptuous production, every detail – from the train carriages to the costuming – is a ticket to another era.
This return season invites both first-time sleuths and returning fans to experience the theatrical event everyone's talking about. Whether you've solved the mystery or not, you'll want to be part of the conspiracy.
DON'T MISS THE RETURN OF A SELL-OUT SMASH AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Pacific Dance Festival 2025 Proves Community Demand & Delivers On Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Strategy
Pacific Dance Festival 2025 Proves Community Demand & Delivers On Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Strategy

Scoop

time9 hours ago

  • Scoop

Pacific Dance Festival 2025 Proves Community Demand & Delivers On Creative NZ's Pacific Arts Strategy

Press Release – Elephant Publicity After years of instability, shifting audience habits, rising living costs, and increased competition from digital entertainment, Pacific Dance NZ is proud to celebrate the conclusion of the 2025 Pacific Dance Festival. This season reconnected communities, revitalised live performance, and reaffirmed the powerful role of Pacific stories on Aotearoa's stages. This year's festival wasn't just about box-office success, though sell-out shows and full houses hearten us. It was about demonstrating that, when invested in thoughtfully and delivered with integrity, Pacific arts continue to matter — deeply — to our people. Audiences returned not just to be entertained, but to feel seen, heard, and moved. From free workshops to weekend gallery activations, from youth-led productions to intergenerational casts, the festival met people where they are — on their terms, in their language, through their own lens. We are grateful and recognise our longstanding partnerships with Māngere Arts Centre – Ngā Tohu o Uenuku and Te Pou Theatre in Henderson, whose leadership and location play a vital role in ensuring the arts remain accessible, local, and culturally grounded. These strategically positioned venues are more than just stages; they are anchors within their communities, enabling whānau and wider audiences to access and participate in Pacific storytelling close to home. The diversity of shows in this year's programme reflects the communities we serve: from Stories About Us with Phab Pasifika — highlighting inclusive, youth-led stories — to the lively school matinee Shapes in the Clouds, which welcomed hundreds of tamariki into the world of dance, and the passionate, feminist retelling of Pele: The Goddess of Fire. Each show brought something special and meaningful. Audience surveys confirm what we observed firsthand: families want to see more — especially content they can enjoy together. Intergenerational audiences expressed great appreciation for the chance to share Pacific cultural stories outside formal education systems that often omit or marginalise these narratives. Festival Director Iosefa Enari expressed gratitude to everyone who attended, spread the word, supported the Kaupapa, or brought their families. They emphasised that the arts are not a luxury but a vital part of life, signifying a heartbeat that continues to thrive within our communities. A Snapshot of Festival Impact Across five weeks, the festival connected with many New Zealanders in theatres, galleries, public spaces, and online, featuring one of the most diverse and intergenerational Pacific casts in our history. Live shows demonstrated strong engagement, with MOANA — a flagship, family-friendly, large ensemble work — selling out a week before its opening. Our data confirms what many have long known: when the right show is programmed, with the correct scale, story, and values, audiences turn out. Meanwhile, more than 1,300 people engaged with our free activations, including dance pop-ups in the Auckland Art Gallery foyer, a Sunday event at the Auckland Museum, and a short film activation showcasing Pacific dance on screen. These events acted as crucial access points, bringing Pacific dance to new and non-traditional audiences, and tracking direct conversions into ticket buyers and new followers. On social media, the numbers tell a powerful story: 417,000+ people reached, 10,138 direct clicks to our ticketing platform, and over 80 user-generated posts from attendees tagging their experience. Our Approach: Values in Practice Pacific Dance NZ's approach to programming and community engagement remains shaped by a strong commitment to Pacific values, intergenerational exchange, and sector-wide collaboration. These values guided every aspect of the 2025 Festival, from artist support to venue partnerships and audience development. Throughout this year's festival, we: · Empowered people and communities, ensuring participation from youth, elders, and artists at all stages of their creative journeys. Audiences of all ages came together, affirming the strength of Pacific identity on stage. · Strengthened capability and future leadership by mentoring emerging choreographers and producers, and creating spaces where community workshops led to real-world opportunities. · Built bridges across ecosystems, through long-term partnerships with Auckland Museum, Auckland Art Gallery, Toi o Tamaki, 275 Times, Pacific Media Network and Sunpix. These collaborations helped deepen reach and trust. · Connected globally, welcoming guest artist Thomas E. Kelly of KARUL Project from Queensland, Australia — a Ni-Van Aboriginal storyteller — opened up a new dimension of cross-regional exchange from Queensland and extended our digital footprint across the Pacific diaspora. Our programme is not only a celebration of Pacific dance but a strategic and intentional response to the aspirations of our people, ensuring that the art we present reflects the realities, hopes, and richness of our communities. Strategic Impact and Return on Investment In a funding environment that increasingly demands proof of value, the Pacific Dance Festival 2025 provided both complex data and a human story to justify public and partner investment. The campaign generated significant direct tracked revenue, alongside thousands more in indirect value through awareness, audience development, and content reach.' Our digital campaigns outperformed sector benchmarks, achieving CTR rates above 2.4%, with engagement peaking during show weeks. Radio advertising, social content, PR hits, and free activations worked in tandem to build both frequency and cultural trust, especially among communities not always reached by mainstream marketing. 'We've learned over the years that success isn't about doing more — it's about doing it right,' says Enari .'We now know how to match story, location, cast, price, and platform to reach our audience where they are. The data confirms it. The people confirm it. It's time to keep going.' Looking Ahead Pacific Dance NZ has heard the call from our community: to keep telling our stories, to keep growing our talent, and to ensure the arts feel like home for everyone. The 2025 festival confirms that Pacific-led creative leadership is not only culturally vital but also economically viable, socially impactful, and strategically aligned with national goals. We invite our government leaders, local councils, and community partners to continue walking with us as we build on this momentum. Because when we invest in Pacific arts, we invest in identity, wellbeing, jobs, joy, and future generations.

A Window Into Humanity: World Press Photo Exhibition Opens This Month In Auckland
A Window Into Humanity: World Press Photo Exhibition Opens This Month In Auckland

Scoop

time5 days ago

  • Scoop

A Window Into Humanity: World Press Photo Exhibition Opens This Month In Auckland

Press Release – Elephant Publicity The prestigious annual World Press Photo Exhibition opens this month, bringing the past year's most captivating and thought-provoking photojournalism and documentary photography from around the globe to Auckland, from 26 July – 24 August at 131 Queen Street. Presenting the 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographs, the exhibition will display a selection of powerful images by 42 international photographers. It offers a rare opportunity to step away from our screens and engage with the stories behind the headlines. 2025 marks 70 years of World Press Photo. To celebrate, this year will also include a special anniversary exhibition in addition to the 2025 contest winning photographs. Curated by Cristina de Middel and titled What Have We Done? Unpacking Seven Decades of Photojournalism Through the World Press Photo Archive, the exhibition will feature images pulled from the World Press Photo archives. It invites audiences to rethink not just how photojournalism has evolved but how we, as viewers and citizens, should be learning to read images with a sharper and more critical eye. A media preview of the exhibition will be held on Friday 25 July between 2 – 4pm, with Nelson-based 2025 World Press Photo Contest winning photographer Tatsiana Chypsana, and travelling curator Martha Echevarria available for interview. If you wish to attend, please contact ali@ An exclusive public preview and panel discussion is available on Thursday 24 July, 6pm. Tickets are available via Eventfinda. Viewers will get to take in the exhibition ahead of the opening, and hear from a World Press Photo curator, judge, and winning photographer, talking about the importance of press freedom and how photography helps tell the stories the world needs to hear. In addition, you'll get an exclusive look at additional images from photographer Tatsiana Chypsanava's long term project Te Uruwera – The Living Ancestor of Tūhoe People, which are not in the main exhibition. The Rotary Club of Auckland is proud to bring the World Press Photo Exhibition to Auckland, with all proceeds from the event going towards Rotary youth charities and disability charity PHAB. Content Sourced from Original url

Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director
Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director

Scoop

time6 days ago

  • Scoop

Rita Paczian To Retire As Bach Musica NZ Music Director

Press Release – Elephant Publicity has announced the retirement of Rita Paczian from her position as Music & Artistic Director at the end of the 2025 season. Rita has been the driving force behind the organisation's high standard of musicianship for over 31 years. Her dedication, enthusiasm, drive, energy and passion for music have transformed the group to firmly establish its position in the New Zealand performing arts. A native of Germany, Rita became Bach Musica NZ's music director in 1994. She brought with her to New Zealand her outstanding qualifications as a conductor, singer, organist and harpsichordist, her love of historically informed Baroque and Classical interpretation and her high standards of musicianship. In her non-negotiable dedication to excellence, a particular hallmark of her style is the ability to meaningfully model and patiently coach musical phrasing. As she will retire at the end of the 2025 season, the Committee is actively seeking a replacement. Bach Musica NZ is the country's leading, combined vocal and choral ensemble. Performances range from Baroque through to modern. The organisation regularly supports emerging young vocal and instrumental talent as well as premiere performances of new compositions, providing an opportunity to perform with a world-class choir and orchestra. Audiences will still have the chance to see Rita with Bach Musica NZ's upcoming performances on Sunday 21 September and Sunday 7 December at the Auckland Town Hall. BACH MUSICA NZ 2025 PROGRAMME: World Premieres & Bach Sunday 21 September 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Gina Sanders Soprano Stephen Diaz Countertenor Best of Bach & Handel Sunday 7 December 2025 at 5pm – Auckland Town Hall Tickets are available via Ticketmaster. Rita Paczian Conductor Elizabeth Mandeno Soprano Christie Cook Alto Iain Tetley Tenor James Harrison Baritone Content Sourced from Original url

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store