Manawatu Theatre Society

Our Story

Established in 1978, Manawatu Theatre Society has been producing high-quality Plays and Musicals for the last 5 decades.

​​MTS offers the community of the Manawatu a place to explore and experience a wide range of plays and musicals in a safe and inclusive environment to all people who wish to participate.

​Whether you are a veteran of the theatre, on stage or off or just wanting to try something new, you are always welcome here.

__________________________________________________________

MANAWATU THEATRE SOCIETIES NEXT PRODUCTION

Sugar Baby Love

14 – 29 November 2025 | Globe Theatre, Palmerston North

Get ready for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud night of music and mayhem as the Manawatu Theatre Society presents Sugar Baby Love — a sparkling mix of Robin Hood adventure and Hi-De-Hi! holiday camp fun.

Set in the lively FunForAll holiday camp, Yellowcoats Marian and Robby must defend their beloved camp from the corrupt Mayor of Nottingham — all to the unforgettable soundtrack of British 1960s pop hits.

Written in the 1990s by Palmerston North locals Kevin Monk (1958–2014), Martin Carr, and Val Bolter, the show first charmed audiences in 1994 at the Abbey Theatre Restaurant. This year’s production brings the story full circle, with Bolter once again returning as choreographer.

Carr, now Centrepoint Theatre’s manager, fondly recalls the trio’s early writing sessions around one of the city’s first home computers — long before laptops and Wi-Fi.

Bursting with humour, heart, and nostalgia, Sugar Baby Love is a celebration of local talent and timeless tunes.

__________________________________________________________