Pop-Up Globe Final Season

Overview

After 1206 performances and attracting more than 350,000 Kiwi theatre-goers, the Pop-Up Globe is closing the curtain on its Auckland run. The full-scale replica of the second Globe Theatre first popped up in 2016 as a one-off event to mark the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare's death.

Kicking off on December 13, the 2019/2020 season will be the Pop-Up Globe's last appearance at Ellerslie Racecourse before it is dismantled and the company focuses on international touring.

"Naturally, the decision to finally pop down for good in Auckland is bittersweet — it is where Pop-Up Globe started, it is where we produce all our work, and it is due to the extraordinary support of so many people and organisations that Pop-Up Globe exists at all. But wherever we tour in the world, we will aim to make New Zealanders proud that their support started us off," says Pop-Up Globe's artistic director and founder Dr Miles Gregory.

While the next season is scheduled for Perth, the Pop-Up Globe theatre company will retain its headquarters and production and rehearsal facilities in Auckland.

The final hurrah, dubbed The Summer of Love, will see the return of crowd favourite Much Ado About Nothing, which has already been performed 130 times in New Zealand. The production is a revival of the 2017 Auckland production, directed by Miriama McDowell. Miles Gregory will direct Shakespeare's tragic masterpiece Romeo & Juliet, complete Jacobean costumes and "contemporary street violence."

For those who missed out on the last four Auckland seasons, the three-storey Pop-Up Globe replica seats 700 theatregoers over three tiers and includes standing room in the 'yard' to recreate the experience of a night out at the 16th century theatre. It is known for its spectacular theatrical trickery, including cannons, flaming arrows, litres of fake blood and beautiful costumes constructed by the in-house wardrobe department.

Image: Jay Wennington.