Two decades of local theatre

Blenheim Musical Theatre (BMT) and Wairau River have celebrated 20 years of partnership, marking a sponsorship that has helped bring about 40 productions to Marlborough audiences.

At a lunch at No. 11 on Saturday, 22 August, BMT committee members joined Wairau River chief executive Lindsay Parkinson to acknowledge the milestone.

Lindsay says the sponsorship began when the Rose family decided to focus its community support on a single organisation.

“We had a chat within the Rose Family about doing one thing and doing it well.”

The timing aligned with an approach from BMT, beginning a relationship that has now spanned two decades. “It’s great that we can support these folks with wine as well as funds, so the dinner theatre set up works really well for us,” Lindsay says.

BMT president Kim Weatherhead says the support has been vital.

“The support from Wairau River is almost unmeasurable, I genuinely don’t know where we’d be without them, it’s a relationship that’s so strong and that we’d love to continue for many more years to come.”

Lindsay says both organisations rely on strong teamwork behind the scenes.

“Much like making wine, there’s a few people up the front but in reality, it takes a massive team to bring these performances together.”

The Rose family’s involvement in local theatre stretches back to the Blenheim Amateur Operatic Society, the predecessor to BMT.

BMT is preparing for its next dinner theatre production, Twisted, before We Will Rock You at Whitehaven Theatre in 2027.