NAT has an ever-changing line up; that’s the beauty of having an open-access theatre venue! See what your favourite performers are up to and discover new artists, by checking here regularly. NAT doesn’t pre-programme seasons, so this is where you can see what we have going on. We have a bar open from 1 hourish before the show, and you are welcome to take your drinks into the theatre (there’s no BYO!)
Octagon Collective Presents: September Poetry Reading with Rachel O’Neill and Michelle Elvy, and Open Mic!
Weds 9 Sept, 7pm
FREE entry!
Bar open from 6pm
The Octagon Poetry Collective warmly welcomes you to our September 2026 poetry reading – featuring 2026 Robert Burns Fellow Rachel O’Neill and Kathleen Grattan award shortlistee Michelle Elvy! Nicola Thorstensen will be your MC for the evening.
For the Open Mic – please bring one poem if you wish to read, and see Nicola on the night to sign up.
Attendance is FREE, but if you have the means please support our co-hosts by purchasing refreshments during the evening.
We are a hate-free zone and decry any bigotry, hate speech, transphobia, homophobia, or racism – bring only your creativity and community spirit.
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Rachel O’Neill is a Pākehā, queer and non-binary (they/them) filmmaker, artist and writer of three books, including Symphony of Queer Errands (Tender Press, 2025). The 2026 Robert Burns Fellow, Rachel is enjoying living and working in Ōtepoti this year. rachel-oneill.com
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Michelle Elvy is a writer, editor and creative writing teacher in Ōtepoti Dunedin. Originally from the Chesapeake Bay in Maryland, she arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand in 2008 aboard her sailboat, her home for nearly twenty years. Her books include two experimental collections: the everrumble, a small novel in small forms, and the hybrid collection other side of better. Forthcoming is ocean sky marble eye (Maungatua Press) and Motion Sickness – launching Sunday, September 13! Motion Sickness was shortlisted in the 2025 Kathleen Grattan Poetry Award and Runner up in the 2026 John O’Connor Award.
Michelle’s recent anthology work includes the multi-lingual collection, Te Moana o Reo | Ocean of Languages (edited with Vaughan Rapatahana), Poto: Iti te kupu, nui te kōrero| Short: The big book of small stories (edited with Kiri Piahana-Wong), with 100 stories in English and te reo Māori, and MAYDAY (edited with David Eggleton and Siobhan Harvey) – a gathering of voices from Aotearoa, an urgent out to the world, coming later this year.
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Your Collective committee:
Jackson
Mac MacDonald
Jasmine Taylor
Nicola Thorstensen
Ben Wilmot
Sophia Wilson
Rachel’s photo by Tash Helasdottir-Cole
There and Back Again: A Rangas Tale – a brand new comedy show by Oliver Lewis
Sat, 12 Sept, 7:30pm
Tix: $15 HERE
Bar open from 6:30pm
Come along for an unforgettable evening, as one ranga (that’s me – Oliver Lewis) leaves the comfort of his hobbit hole as he embarks on a epic journey across (just) earth, through the towering mountains of Western Canada to the heat of battle in a kickboxing gym in Thailand, he takes on challenges and obstacles much bigger than one hobbit.
Its a journey of adventure, self discovery, self sabotage, laughs, tears, accents, elk, tragedy, Australians, and questionable life decisions…
…so join this ranga through three epic chapters, and an unbelievable spot for a second breakfast, as he attempts to go there and back again!!
Doors open: 7pm
Show starts: 7.30pm
Stitched: A new play by Ellie Swann
Thurs 17 Sept-Sat 26 Sept
Presales $20/$30
Tickets: HERE
Desdemona and Emilia are best friends. Unfortunately, their husbands are dicks.
A new play by Ellie Swann, featuring Laniet and Ellie Swann.
Presented by Moose of Fire Productions.
Take an inside look into the private friendships of women. When left alone, what do they talk about – what do they *do* all day? Best known as tragic casualties of male ambition and hubris (to describe it kindly), Desi and Emi are also people in their own rights, and their stories are waiting to be told.
Sharing their hobbies, humour, and hopes, these two women are dying to tell you that they are whole human beings, despite being defined thus far solely by their husbands.
If men’s motives and intentions have been analysed for the past 400 years, we really don’t need to bother with their names, thanks.
Thurs 17th 730pm; Sat 19th 730pm; Sun 20th 2pm
Thurs 24th 730pm; Fri 25th 730pm; Sat 26th 730pm
Presales $25/$30 +bf on sale soon
Doorsales $30/$35
OCTAGON COLLECTIVE Poetry Night – 2nd Wednesday of the month, 7pm
FREE poetry readings – special guest artists, and open mic.
MONTHLY, WEDNESDAYS - 11/2, 11/3, 8/4, 13/5, 10/6, 8/7, 12/8, 9/9, 7/10, 11/11, 9/12
7PM
Bar from 6pm – no BYO
Femme: Experience a vibrant showcase of burlesque and cabaret artistry, confidence, empowerment and creativity that honors femininity in all its forms.
8PM
Bar from 7pm – no BYO
Improsaurus: Season 2 The Spooky Season coming soon! 28/8, 18/9, 2/10, 16/10, 30/10
8PM
Bar from 7pm – no BYO
New Athenaeum Theatre 