Since the re-opening of the Isaac Theatre Royal in November 2014, Showbiz has staged ten major musical seasons and three large concert seasons for a combined audience of 159,000. Showbiz represents more than 40% of the Isaac Theatre Royal’s annual attendances.

Showbiz Christchurch is a significant part of a vibrant local arts environment in Christchurch, and an active partner of the Christchurch City Council, providing arts and entertainment programmes to meet their community arts and cultural objectives. Showbiz is the primary annual hirer of the Isaac Theatre Royal and is a major client of several of the city’s key theatrical supply companies.

Showbiz productions provide unique opportunities for local performers, musicians and stage crew to engage in their passion for performing, and to learn from senior colleagues.

Performing in Showbiz shows provides a stepping stone into professional careers for many local music and drama graduates and performers.

Showbiz performers are seen on stage in Australasian shows, taking up scholarships at some of the world’s most prestigious performing arts schools, and organising significant arts events in Britain and Europe. Other alumni are leading arts and drama departments in local secondary schools and running their own dance schools and performing arts businesses.

Showbiz provides opportunities for the community of Christchurch to experience performing arts events of world-class standards.

Tickets are priced to ensure a broad cross-section of the community have access and benefit from experiencing these shows. Showbiz actively encourages younger audiences, students, families and community groups that may experience restricted access to the Arts due to accessibility issues. These groups are an important part of our future long-term audiences. To that end, Showbiz tailors specific opportunities for schools and special interest groups to attend our shows, including accessible performances for the Blind Foundation and discounted ‘rush tickets’ for students.

The community structure of Showbiz Christchurch is built on the voluntary engagement of members participating in our productions.

Over the last eight decades, Showbiz has had around 35,000 volunteers directly participate in its shows. Showbiz provides the foundations for a lifetime of engagement in the arts, either as an avid theatre lover or as a future professional practitioner.

Since 1938 Showbiz Christchurch has attracted audiences across a wide-ranging demographic. Our core audiences are in the 30 to 80 age range, middle to the high-income group who enjoy quality popular entertainment.

Audiences are people with a love of lifestyle, travel and quality experiences. They include corporate bookings and private individuals who appreciate excellence. An evening spent at a Showbiz Christchurch production brings together the glamour of Broadway and the allure of show business amid the grandeur of the Isaac Theatre Royal.