Detour Theatre
Tauranga
- shows, acting and drama classes!
We produce three plays a year and run acting/drama classes for ages 7 to 107 years! Detour Theatre is located in Tauranga at the Historic Village, 17th Avenue West. For the very latest, follow us on Facebook - Click Here. To receive our special Subscriber discounts on show tickets and to receive updates on classes and auditions etc. click on the button below.
Sleighed to Death!
13 - 29 November 2025
1930s England, it's Christmas Eve in the manor house of the bumbling aristocrat Sir Walton Gates and his wife, Grace. His daughter Emma from a previous marriage arrives from town with her new companion in tow, the dashing James Washington and added to the mix is Sir Walton's estranged brother Archie, recently returned from years spent in Australia, bringing with him an appetite for mischief and a dodgy accent. Enter England's most confused police officer, Sergeant Pratt, who unwittingly kicks a hornet's nest of English gentility, and the evening soon descends into chaos with hilarious consequences. Magic tricks will fail miserably, shots will inadvertently ring out, and identities will be confused, but can Pratt identify the individual with murderous intent before a body is found? Probably not . . . In the new prequel to the Inspector Pratt Trilogy, Sleighed to Death takes us back to the ignominious start of Inspector Pratt's career, and we discover that his early life as a policeman is no less hilarious!
7.30pm | No shows on Sundays and Mondays.
Prices:
Adults $30 | Seniors and Students $25 | Group of 10+ $24 each.
We recommend booking online for the best value. (Full information on ticketing fees can be found HERE.)
Ticket sales open on the 13th of October, 2025.
2025 Shows
2025 Shows...
27 March - 12 April: Menopause Made Me Do It!
12 - 28 June: The Importance of Being Earnest
13 - 29 November: Sleighed to Death
By Peter Gordon
1930s England, it's Christmas Eve in the manor house of the bumbling aristocrat Sir Walton Gates and his wife Grace. His daughter Emma from a previous marriage arrives from town with her new companion in tow, the dashing James Washington and added to the mix is Sir Walton's estranged brother Archie, recently returned from years spent in Australia, bringing with him an appetite for mischief and a dodgy accent.
Enter England's most confused police officer, Sergeant Pratt, who unwittingly kicks a hornet's nest of English gentility, and the evening soon descends into chaos with hilarious consequences. Magic tricks will fail miserably, shots will inadvertently ring out, and identities will be confused, but can Pratt identify the individual with murderous intent before a body is found? Probably not . . . In the new prequel to the Inspector Pratt Trilogy, Sleighed to Death takes us back to the ignominious start of Inspector Pratt's career, and we discover that his early life as a policeman is no less hilarious!
(7.30pm | No shows Sundays and Mondays)
To see show photos and get the latest show information, go to our Facebook Page HERE.
To see the list of past shows, click HERE.
Auditions...
We hold open auditions for many of our shows. Join our email list HERE and follow our Facebook page HERE to be kept in the loop.
2026 Show dates...
(7.30pm | No shows Sundays and Mondays)
Show 1: 12 - 28 March
Show 2: 18 June - 4 July
Show 3: 12 - 28 Nov.
Acting Classes...
We have weekly classes for Children, Teens, Adults and Seniors. Our classes are fun, engaging and led by tutors who know their stuff. We cover a wide range of acting and performance skills and are committed to providing quality drama tuition in a supportive theatre environment. Our acting classes and workshops are all held right here on the stage at the Detour Theatre, in Tauranga.
Classes Timetable
Children and Teens - Weekly
7 - 10 Years - (Primary School class years 3 - 6)
Wednesdays, 3.30pm - 4.20pm.
Tutor: Kim Williamson | Term Fees: $135
10 - 12 Years - (Intermediate School years 7 and 8)
Mondays, 4.30pm - 5.20pm.
Tutor: Kim Williamson | Term Fees: $135
13 - 17 Years - (High School Years 9, 10, 11 & 12)
Tuesdays, 5pm - 5.50pm.
Tutor: Devon Williamson | Term Fees: $135
Homeschool Children and Teens - (ages 7 - 16 Years)
Tuesdays, 11am - 12noon
Tutor: Kim Williamson | Term Fees: $135
Adults - Weekly
Monday evenings 6.30pm - 8pm
Aimed at beginners, this class is a great introduction to acting in community theatre. Join in the fun and learn acting skills.
Tutor: Devon Williamson | Fees: $97.50 (7 sessions)
Seniors (60+) - Weekly
Tuesday afternoons 12.45pm - 2.15pm
Aimed at beginners, this class is a great introduction to acting in community theatre. Join in the fun, learn acting skills and make new friends!
Tutor: Kim Williamson | Fees: $97.50 (7 sessions)
2025 Term Dates.
2025 term dates for our children and teens classes are as follows.
Term 3
Monday classes: 14 July - 8 Sept.
Tuesday classes: 15 July - 9 Sept.
Wednesday classes: 16 July - 10 Sept.
Adult classes start on the Monday and Tuesday dates above and finish after seven weekly sessions.
Term 4
Monday classes: 6 Oct. - 8 Dec.
Tuesday classes: 7 Oct - 2 Dec.
Wednesday classes: 8 Oct. - 3 Dec.
Adult classes start on the Monday and Tuesday dates above and finish after seven weekly sessions.
Please pay fees via internet banking to the theatre bank account. Account name: Detour Theatre Trust. Account number: 03 1548 0104934 000
Theatre Location
The Detour Theatre is located at the Historic Village on 17th Avenue West, Tauranga. Enter via the driveway opposite the St John Ambulance Station. We are the big cream and green building behind the Creative Community Campus. Please note that during office hours, there is no parking within the Historic Village gates. Please park on 17th Avenue West and walk into the Village. However, Mobility Card holder parking is available next to the theatre. To find us on Google Maps, click HERE.
About Us
There is a lot going on at Detour Theatre. We produce three to four shows a year (plays), and run drama classes for children, teens, adults, seniors, and groups with special needs.
We operate from a delightfully restored and repurposed hall built in 1911 that is now located at the Historic Village on 17th Avenue West, Tauranga.
The work of Detour Theatre is centred around the professional skills of Kim Williamson. She is supported by a part-time administrator and tutor, and fabulous volunteers from the community.
About Kim Williamson - Kim directs the work of Detour Theatre and is our full-time professional. Kim is a local hero (literally, she won an award!), a whirlwind of energy, and often has pink hair. Kim directs our shows, runs weekly drama classes for children, adults, and seniors, and delivers our very busy programme of drama classes for adults with intellectual disabilities. On top of this, Kim is also a very popular actor.
Detour Theatre is a Registered Charitable Trust: The Detour Theatre Trust (CC10178).
Contact Us
Please note that the best way to get hold of us is via email.
Email : info@detour.co.nz
Phone : 0284372849 Due to the nature of our work, we are often not available to take calls. Please email if possible.
Postal Address: 1 Oriana Crescent, Bellevue, Tauranga 3110 (Please note that our Postal Address is not the theatre location).