April at The PumpHouse Theatre is doing the absolute most, in the best way! School holiday fun, bold adaptations, a bit of local history, and something quietly heartbreaking to round it all out. Honestly, it’s a bit of a theatrical buffet for everyone to feast on!

First up: School holiday magic with 'Badjelly The Witch' (8-11 April). This one is gloriously silly, a little bit spooky, and packed with the kind of imagination that kids adore and adults suddenly feel very nostalgic about. You can expect big belly laughs and a genuinely lovely whānau theatre experience.

Hot on its heels in the second week of the school holidays is 'The Worm' (14–19 April). When a giant bird nabs his mum, one very determined little worm sets off on a surprisingly epic rescue mission. You won't want to miss this incredible family show packed with live music, oddball charm, and some beautiful magic that makes you go, “Wait… why am I emotional about a worm?”

Our next Creative Talk for the year is with Debbie Dunsford (20 April), who will be delving into Milford’s past. Creative Talks are free (yes, free!), with tea and coffee provided.

Then things get deliciously dramatic. Our faves, The Barden Party, are back! If you haven’t had The Barden Patry experience, then trust us, you do not want to miss this. They’re bringing 'Macbeth: Blood and Bluegrass' (22–23 April) to our outdoor amphitheatre: Shakespeare’s dark tale with a live Americana soundtrack and a whole lot of theatrical swagger. It’s high-energy, a bit rowdy, and apparently award-winning for very good reason.

Right after, The Barden Party brings 'Heracles: Of Men & Beasts' (24–25 April) to our main stage. This show blends Greek mythology with 1940s Hollywood and a live-looped score.

And finally, we get beautifully dramatic with 'The Glass Menagerie' (29 April–3 May), an intimate and quietly devastating portrait of a family living with hope, frustration, and unspoken longing.

So yes. April’s stacked. Cancel everything else and book those tickets!

Mauri ora,