Rotorua Little Theatre Society president Liz Carrington and treasurer Charles Edwards at the newly refurbished bar in the Shambles Theatre. Photo / Megan Wilson
Rotorua Little Theatre Society president Liz Carrington and treasurer Charles Edwards at the newly refurbished bar in the Shambles Theatre. Photo / Megan Wilson
For 75 years, the Rotorua Little Theatre Society has provided connection, friendship, and “a sense of community” for generations of people. After a rebuild following November’s flood, its beloved Shambles Theatre is ready to stage the next 75.
Liz Carrington walked into the Shambles Theatre one November morningand “squelched through the sodden building”.
“You could see the tidemark of where the water had got to - a good sort of 75cm if not more tidemarks around the place, plus it was gushing through the building,” the Rotorua Little Theatre Society president told the Rotorua Daily Post.
The theatre flooded after a burst water main streamed into the Amohau St building, leaving behind a sodden foyer, kitchen, bar and toilets. An estimated 1 million litres of water escaped the pipe.
The water was deemed contaminated, meaning most items it came into contact with had to be disinfected, replaced or thrown out.
“We were four rehearsals out from opening a show, so that had to be cancelled, which was a huge thing for us to do. That’s how we exist - that’s our revenue,” Carrington said.
The theatre has since undergone a “phenomenal” rebuild, with people donating time, money, and items.
“It’s been really very humbling, the support and the love that’s been felt … ”
Carrington said interior designer Sylvia Sandford offered her services for free and did a “beautiful job” with colour scheming, while Bay Rebuild went “above and beyond” and worked through the holiday season on the renovation.
“I could not speak highly enough of our insurers, the building company, the community support that just sort of wrapped around.”
The theatre reopened in February and held an afternoon tea to celebrate the society’s 75th anniversary on February 21.
The society’s first play this year - Funny Money by Ray Cooney - opens on March 18.
The newly refurbished Rotorua Shambles Theatre after a flood in November 2025. Photo / Megan Wilson
“Everything” the society did this year would be a celebration of 75 years, Carrington said, “and this is the first cab off the rank”.
She said the theatre provided “a sense of community” for those involved, including her own children.
“It’s provided several generations of people connection and friendship.”
Society treasurer Charles Edwards said it was “heartbreaking” to cancel its play Much Ado About Nothing due to the flood, and he said the decision was “quite traumatic” for most members.
He was thankful for members’ clean-up efforts and financial support.
Forty shows in 65 years
Actor Martin Hampson, 83, said he had done “about 40-odd shows” at the theatre, the first in 1961.
“We’ve sourced an orange velour sofa … and all sorts of other things that in the ’80s and ’90s were just discarded and are now looked on as treasures.”
The former society president and committee member had directed “more productions down there than I can remember”.
Her fondest memories included watching people with no experience gaining confidence from doing things “a bit outside their comfort zone”.
“But once they get the hang of it, away they go.”
Former Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick pictured in 2021. Photo / Andrew Warner
Former Rotorua mayor Steve Chadwick, a “dedicated” theatre patron, attended the celebratory afternoon tea last month along with actors, backstage workers and supporters.
She said the theatre was showing “a bit of new heart”.
