Theatre calendars filling up with multitude of events

The arts and entertainment sector in Hamilton began 2026 with a hiss and a roar, with numerous major events happening – mainly at the new BNZ Theatre.

But any impression it was going off the boil following a series of big-name concerts at the theatre, as well as the Hamilton Arts Festival and this weekend’s Homegrown festival, would be false.

The schedule at the BNZ Theatre is being frequently added to by a succession of announcements. One of the latest is a May 17 concert in which the Waikato’s own Opus Orchestra will get their first opportunity to test the venue’s acoustics.

Featuring pianist Stephen De Pledge and conducted by Peter Walls, it is described as “an afternoon of orchestral and vocal drama” that pairs Gillian Karawe Whitehead’s landmark New Zealand opera The Journey of Mataatua Whare (performed in concert form) with Beethoven’s Piano Concerto No. 5 (popularly known as The Emperor).

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