Ashburton Event Centre

02/09/2026

No the van hasn’t been stolen!

It’s simply heading rural today packed with lots of equipment to help bring a production to life!

Wherever it’s heading we’re pretty sure it’s about to get busy.

Watch this space… something exciting is coming to life!

01/09/2026

What is the weirdest thing you have found at your work place 🤔 6 years ago this wee fella was sitting in our front window when we opened up.

31/08/2026

30/08/2026

Our foyer space created the perfect setting for Ben Hurley on Friday night and what a night it was!

From the moment Ben stepped up the laughs just kept coming filling the room with plenty of good humour.

It was great to see our foyer transformed into a lively entertainment space proving that you don’t always need a traditional theatre setting to put on a great show. The intimate atmosphere brought the audience right into the action and made for a brilliant night of comedy.

A huge thank you to everyone who came along shared the laughs and helped make Friday night such a memorable one. If your planning an event look no further we have spaces to suit every event along with two technicians that will work with you to make your event a success.

28/08/2026

A massive shout out to my amazing AEC team. To celebrate a recent birthday milestone, my amazing staff gave me a weekend away at the fabulous Koura Golf Resort in Kaikoura. Stunning views and delicious food. So incredibly thankful for the hard work, long hours and dedication you all give to making the Ashburton Event Centre an amazing place to work and play. Looking forward to chasing a weee white ball later today.

23/08/2026

Sunday night in our house is usually spent watching Country Calendar followed soon after by another Netflix movie while thinking about all the things you have to do on Monday at work. Yesterday was going to be different, having been invited to attend the Methven Theatre Company’s production of Joseph and His Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, I was looking forward to seeing another great production from the Methven Theatre Company. Joseph is a show that is as familiar to me as the theme to Country Calendar, I was thoroughly looking forward to reminiscing the past shows I’ve been involved in and remembering the all too familiar songs.
If there was ever proof needed that community theatre is strong in our district, the Methven Theatre Company provides it. From the moment the curtain opened and Lauren Reynoldson-Ross began narrating the story, you quickly became wrapped up in a story line that is older than time. Lauren’s stunning voice and engaging performance was an absolute pleasure to watch and listen to as she moved the show along, working closely with Joseph played by another accomplished performer, Chris Woods who provided another stand out vocal performance. There is no denying it, I really love the role of Pharaoh.
Portrayed with an Elvis slant, Luke Glendining nails the rock vibe needed to carry the story line and set the audiences toes tapping. Hannah Helen as Mrs Potiphar and Andre’ Cuttle in dual roles as Potiphar and Jacob were brilliant in their roles and added a richness vocally to the huge ensemble of Joseph’s 11 brothers and the 5 wives of Jacob, and who could forget the 15 strong Children’s Choir who make Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat the production that it is. Given this was their first technical rehearsal, the show flowed well although the scenery changes I’m sure will speed up as the rehearsals progress towards opening night. The set was outstanding and lay the ground work for setting time and place which was nicely lit through effective lighting. Congratulations to the wardrobe team, no doubt a huge challenge dressing such a huge cast. The sound was great providing rich enhancement to to vocals and bringing the necessary energy to those Elvis numbers. To the cast and crew, congratulations, I probably more than most understand the time and dedication needed for community theatre productions to come to life. You can be very proud of the show you have delivered and I wish you all the very best for a successful season. I encourage the community to now get behind the Methven Theatre Company and get along to this show, you will love it.
Thursday 27th - 7.00pm
Friday 28th - 7.00pm
Saturday 29th - 2.00pm & 7.00pm
Book at the Ashburton Event Centre or online at
wwwasheventcentre.co.nz.
Cafe 45
Or
Http://tinyurl.com/JosephMTC

21/08/2026

Have you seen Narnia The Musical?

If you answered no you don’t know what you’re missing! 🦁

But the good news is you still have ONE LAST CHANCE to experience the magic tonight at 6:30pm!

Come along and witness the incredible work the Ashburton Christian School has put into bringing Narnia to life on our stage. From the stunning costumes to the wonderful performances they have created something truly magical.

Don’t miss your final chance to step through the wardrobe and into Narnia! 🦁

20/08/2026

Tonight, the Ashburton Christian School will bring to life the story of Narnia, in a beautiful musical that has seen the pupils learn through participating in every aspect of the production. Not only can the school take immense pride in what they have achieved, I also feel incredibly proud of the contribution our venue makes, and its ability to support the development of theatre in our community. Be it a school production, community theatre group or touring group, with the incredible dedication and solution focused expertise of our team, complete with the technical sound, lighting and staging infrastructure, we can assure a wealth of learning occurs each and every time someone steps on stage, and a night of pure entertainment is enjoyed by you, our audience. I wish the cast, the sound and lighting operators, stage hands, stage manager, wardrobe and orchestra and everyone involved in what ever way, all the very best for a successful season. You deserve it. Congratulations.
Live theatre, it’s what we do.