Book early to ensure visiting acts

A109 Light Utility Helicopter flight with mayor Gisborne City from the air in November 2023.

Gisborne War Memorial Theatre staff are urging patrons to book early for shows to ensure visiting acts do not take Gisborne off their tour list.

Last week, Gisborne District Council cultural activities operations manager Pene Walsh announced that comedy show Grumpy Old Women — Game of Crones had cancelled their Gisborne show due to poor ticket sales.

“As there have been too few early ticket sales, the promoter of this show is unable to take the financial risk to bring the show to Gisborne,” said Walsh.

“If you were one of those forward planners (we love you), please go back to your ticket seller for a ticket refund.”

To avoid the same fate for other approaching shows, Walsh suggests booking tickets well in advance.

“We are so very fortunate to have these shows consider coming to Gisborne, so please snap up tickets so tour managers get the message that Gisborne is the place to be,” she said.

Upcoming shows include New Zealand Symphony Orchestra’s Summer Pops with the Modern Maori Quartet (March 17) and Roger Hall’s play Four Flat Whites in Italy (May 17).

This will be followed by comedian Rhys Darby’s first ever appearance in Gisborne as he brings his live stand-up show Mystic Time Bird (August 14).

A one night performance by Moscow ballet company La Classique in May is already sold out.

Tickets to shows other than the ballet can be booked online through EventFinda, TicketDirect, or directly from Stephen Jones Photography on Gladstone Road.