Circa Theatre and Chapman Tripp Celebrate 30 Year Partnership with A Doll’s House
The production of A Doll’s House marks 30 years of Chapman Tripp’s sponsorship of Circa Theatre. The production,
re-imagined from Ibsen’s original by writer Emily Perkins, is showing at Circa until 2 September.
The theatre and Chapman Tripp’s partnership began in 1987, spearheaded by a senior partner at Chapman Tripp at the time
– and a long time champion of the arts – Neil Gray.
“The theatre is known across New Zealand for excellence in the performing arts, and the firm felt it was a good fit,”
says Chapman Tripp CSR committee chair and partner, Edward Scorgie. From this, the Theatre Artists’ Charitable Trust
(TACT) was born, which provides seed-funding to artists creating theatre productions at Circa.
“We made a commitment in recent years to ensure we support New Zealand’s vibrant arts environment, so we are proud to
offer continued support to such a wonderful part of Wellington’s – and New Zealand’s – performing arts community.”
Other businesses such as Fay Richwhite, BP NZ Ltd, Deloitte Touche Tomatsu and Sovereign Assurance were quick to support
the initiative, and in time Creative New Zealand came on board also. TACT has provided financial assistance to over 3000
artists, and has grown to paying out grants of around $400,000 each year, with total support towards artists and
production costs since its inception exceeding $6 million.
Circa Theatre councillor Carolyn Henwood says sponsoring A Doll’s House to celebrate the 30 year partnership, “was
something they’d want to do after making such an incredible contribution for such a long period of time”, given the
play’s relevance to modern New Zealand life, its roots in classic theatre, and the relationship Chapman Tripp already
had with playwright Emily Perkins through one of the Wellingtonnovation events at Circa in 2015, where she was a
speaker.
At the production’s opening night, Rt Hon Bill English also acknowledged the huge and ongoing contribution to Circa
Theatre that Chapman Tripp has made. The production has been called “exactly the kind of thoughtful, challenging, and
adventurous production we have come to expect from Circa” (Scoop). In addition to A Doll’s House, the celebration of 30
years together times with Circa’s exciting new building alterations, currently underway in partnership with Te Papa.
Speaking to the importance and value of corporate sponsorship of the arts, Carolyn Henwood says, “I do believe that
people commit to the trust and the endeavour of the artists because it contributes to the health of the nation.”
The Chapman Tripp season of A Doll’s House is presented by arrangement with Playmarket and shows at Circa Theatre, 1
Taranaki Street, Wellington until 2 September Performance times: Tuesday – Thursday 6.30pm, Friday – Saturday, 8pm,
Sunday 4pm.Tickets: $25 - 52 from www.circa.co.nz or by calling 04 801 7992.
ENDS