Christchurch's iconic Court Theatre is about to celebrate its 50th anniversary, and along for the ride are two key people who have been there from the very beginning.

Doris Barnard and Gay Peek began volunteering as ushers at the Court Theatre when it opened in 1971, and still love the vital role they play in the theatre’s life.

When the theatre was first established in 1971 by Mervyn Thompson and Yvette Bromley, Doris and Gay were among the first to ask if there was any way they could be involved. They were both on duty as ushers for the theatre's very first production, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie, which was shown at the Court's first premises in the Durham Street Art Gallery.

“The contact with the audience is always fun and I enjoy the feeling of being a link between the public and the production teams and of course I get to see and enjoy most of the plays,” Gay says. Doris loves meeting people and getting to hear the audience's feedback first-hand after a performance.

Doris had experience ushering at a local theatre near Hull University in England where she studied, and Gay had taken part in drama at school. For both of them the idea of a professional theatre in Christchurch was immensely exciting and they simply had to be part of it. Both believe passionately that theatre, music and the arts in general are essential in today’s modern world.

“Without the Court Theatre producing a wide variety of plays each season we would become somewhat soulless,” Doris says. “The Court Theatre provides an environment where we can forget our own issues even if it is only for a couple of hours.”

“I will be here as long as I can run up and down the stairs with ease - and read the ticket stubs,” Gay says.

Celebrations to mark 50 years of theatre life at The Court kick off next Friday the 23 April with the alumni event, Yarns & Lies.

A Theatrical Fundraising Gala is taking place on Saturday night, featuring award-winning entertainer Ali Harper, well-known actor and singer Nomi Cohen, and acclaimed entertainer and piano man Trevor Jones.

To wrap up celebrations, New Zealand's most successful playwright Sir Roger Hall KNZM QSO will host The Court Theatre Supporters' celebration Great Debate on Sunday afternoon.

courttheatre.org.nz