Lord of the Rings in 90 mins!
The Lord of the Rings in 90 Minutes! is a playful spin on Tolkien’s epic trilogy The Lord of the Rings, set against the stunning backdrop of the Botanic Gardens.
Calling all elves, orcs and halflings! Buckle up for a glorious, laugh a minute journey into Middle Earth (and back again).
Rollicking Entertainment (from the 2025 Summer Theatre hit, The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic) returns this summer, as three actors and a musician attempt the impossible – to retell the famous trilogy in one outrageous live experience!
Complete with battles, LOTR bingo and a banging early noughties soundtrack, expect an evening filled with irreverent delight.
In 2026 we welcome back the wizardry of familiar faces (and variety entertainment legends) Darlene Mohekey, Dan Pengelly and Lizzie Tollemache to the Archery Lawn.
The influential Lord of the Rings film series changed the face of tourism in Aotearoa forever. Now it’s time for a version that delivers live music, ridiculous impersonations, and local jokes.
Pack up a picnic (be it lembas bread, potatoes or something raw and wriggling) and see you in the gardens, for the return of the zing!
Anthony Harper Summer Theatre is free to attend, but koha donations will be gratefully accepted by Rollicking Entertainment. Audiences are encouraged to bring chairs, picnic blankets and food to enjoy during the show (whether it be economy or first-class level dining). All ages are welcome, although these shows are best enjoyed by ages 12 years and over.
Rollicking Entertainment previously produced Summer Theatre’s The Complete Voyage of the RMS Titanic, Treasure Island and King Arthur, while collaborator Dan Pengelly was the director for Peter Pan, The Wizard of Oz and Robin Hood.
When:
Friday 9 January 2026
View all dates and times
Where:
Archery Lawn
Christchurch Botanic Gardens
Christchurch Central
Darlene Mohekey – Creator/Performer
Daniel Pengelly – Creator/Performer
Lizzie Tollemache – Creator/Performer
Molloy – Technician/Sound Design
Criss Grueber – Musician/Performer
Chris Reddington – Set Design and Construction
Christy Lassen – Prop Supply and Manufacture
Sonya Li-McHenry – Production Intern
With special thanks to Kim Te Pairi Garrett, Penny Ashton, Brendon Bennetts and David Ladderman.