Tim Bain, Associate Artistic Director at The Court Theatre and organiser of Rainbow Theatre Weekend, shares his vision for the event and what makes it so unique.
Building a Bold, Inclusive Festival
Rainbow Theatre Weekend returns to The Court Theatre from 20 – 23 March 2025, bringing an electric lineup of drag royalty, comedy, cabaret, and theatre as part of the Christchurch Pride Festival.
“I get asked a lot about how we secure such big names,” Tim Bain tells Oliver Hall.
“Honestly, I just ask—what’s the worst that can happen? They say ‘yes’?!” Bain laughs. “It also comes down to how you treat people. Word travels fast, and a good experience means artists want to be involved.”
This year’s lineup features RuPaul’s Drag Race favourites Mrs Kasha Davis, Kita Mean, and Spankie Jackzon.
“These artists don’t just entertain—they make people pay attention,” Bain says. “That gives us a great platform to introduce emerging performers who are going to be the next big thing.”
More Than Just Drag
While drag plays a key role in the festival, Bain is passionate about representing a broader spectrum of voices.
“People often think of drag as just lip-syncing and sequins, but it’s so much more,” he says.
Artists like Tusiata Avia, an award-winning poet and performer, bring a different sense of queerness to the lineup.
“She offers something deeply personal and poetic,” Bain says. “Then we have Alex and MahMah, whose performances explore being “fat, brown, and queer” in Ōtautahi. It’s this kind of intersectionality that makes the festival so special.”
The Transformative Power of Theatre
This year also includes a performance of The Laramie Project, a play based on the real-life events following the 1998 hate crime against Matthew Shepard in Laramie, Wyoming.
“It’s one of the most-performed plays in the world for a reason,” Bain explains. “It’s verbatim theatre—real words from a real community. We have over 60 LGBTQIA+ individuals and allies involved, and I think it will be one of the most moving moments of the festival.”
For Bain, this piece is a reminder of progress and ongoing challenges.
“We’ve come a long way, but setbacks still exist. Theatre like this makes us feel, think, and hopefully, act.”
Bain sees this weekend as a new chapter for theatre in Christchurch.
“It’s embedded in our strategy now—there’s no going back. I want Rainbow Theatre Weekend to become a festival people anticipate each year, something that truly reflects the diverse community we exist within.”
A Binge-Worthy Festival Experience
A new addition in 2025 is the Binge Pass, which grants access to all events.
“Our Executive Director, Gretchen La Roche, came up with the idea to really fuel that festival vibe,” Bain says.
“Last year, some people came to everything, so we wanted to reward that. Plus, if you can’t make a show, you can hand your pass to a mate—sharing is caring!”
Looking Ahead: A New Era for The Court Theatre
Following Rainbow Theatre Weekend, The Court Theatre will move into its brand-new venue at Colombo and Gloucester Streets, with performances set to begin in May.
The modern three-storey building will house a 360-seat main auditorium, a 130-seat studio theatre, and top-tier front-of-house facilities.
With a new venue on the horizon, a growing audience, and an electrifying lineup, Rainbow Theatre Weekend 2025 promises to be an unmissable celebration of performance, identity, and community.
🎟 Tickets and Binge Passes are available now at courttheatre.org.nz.
