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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!)

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The Octagon Poetry Collective welcomes you to our August 2026 poetry reading. Guest poets Linda Collins & Sandie Forsyth + open mike. MC Jackson.

For open mike, please bring one poem if you wish to read, and see Jackson 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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Kakanui-based LINDA COLLINS started writing eight years ago and has been in Headland, The Spinoff, Newsroom, Poto: The Big Book of Small Stories, Otherhood, The Mekong Review, Quarterly Literary Review of Singapore, and this month (August), Poetry Aotearoa Yearbook, among others. She has a memoir, Loss Adjustment (Ethos Books), published in Singapore, New Zealand and China, and a poetry collection, Sign Language for the Death of Reason (Math Paper Press), mentored by New York queer poet Michael Montlack. Shortlisted for the Bridport Prize, runner-up in the Mslexia contest, and a finalist in the Joy Harjo single poem contest in the US, she has MAs in Creative Writing from IIML and the University of East Anglia. https://lindacollinswriter.com

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SANDIE FORSYTH is a retired counsellor and lives with her partner on the Otago Peninsula. She has been reading her poetry at the Octagon Collective for the past decade and belongs to the Dromedary Poetry Collective. In February this year, she published her first poetry collection, Visitor, with the newly formed Dromedary Collective Press.
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Your Collective committee:
Jackson
Mac MacDonald
Jasmine Taylor
Nicola Thorstensen
Ben Wilmot
Sophia Wilson

Linda Collins’ photo is by Malcolm McLeod

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A fun night of improv theatre featuring the talents of Improsaurus

Our last fundraising event before Buster’s West Ham football academy trip… Thanks to everyone who has supported us so far – we couldn’t have done it without you!!

Tony and Hayley Miles

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Join us for the 16th volume of Femme, showcasing an amazing lineup of performers, including special guests NICOLE ( Ōtautahi | Christchurch), HEAVEN Z’DOR ( Ōtautahi | Christchurch), the one and only VIXEN TEMPLE, your host RACHEL WINTER HASE Alongside your favorite local burlesque stars!

This is a show you won’t want to miss, and it’s bound to sell out fast! So gather your gals, guys, gays, and theys, and secure your tickets for the hottest show in town 

 Dress to impress!
 R18 (contains nudity, strong language, and adult themes)

Wheel chair accessible

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RAW is New Zealand’s largest stand-up comedy competition and a rite of passage for emerging comedians. Join us in Dunedin on Sept 3rd, 4th & 5th to support the next generation of Kiwi comedy, judged by respected local talent and hosted by experienced comedians. You might just see the next big name before everyone else.

Otago Regional finals, 26th September

Grand Finals in Auckland, 31st October

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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

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